EDUCATION

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MDes | Integrative Design (Focus on Equity and Access in Food Systems)

University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | 2019 - Present

 

BFA | Textile Design

BA | Fashion Design

Indiana University | Bloomington, IN | 2009-2013

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

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Design Project Manager

Michigan Medicine Dept. of Clinical Quality | Ann Arbor, MI | 2021-Present

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As a member of the Clinical Informatics and Design Team, I manage a diversity of design projects for two Collaborative Quality Initiatives (MCT2D and HBOM) that strive to improve healthcare outcomes in the State of Michigan.

• Champion the human-centered design process within the CQI portfolio and externally to stakeholders, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, physicians organizations, practices, and clinicians. 

• Develop and implement design solutions in collaboration with stakeholders, including doctors, patients, and healthcare administrative staff

• Manage ongoing design projects such as HBOM’s Tobacco Cessation Resources, which has delivered 3000+ materials to hospitals and clinics across the state

• Lead critical design efforts with CQIs and CQI participants, including developing the HBOM website and state-of-the-art resource library, MCT2D’s Learning Collaborative, and MSHIELD Best Practices Guide

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Child Nutrition Advocate

Food Gatherers | Ann Arbor, MI | Summer 2021

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Participate in the Child Nutrition Advocacy Coalition with local organizations to educate the public and advocate for federal programs. 

• Assist in organizing educational events and workshops

• Design outreach materials

• Collaborate with community leaders and non-profits to advocate for increases to federal food assistance programs 

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​Course Development Assistant  

UM Center for Academic Innovation | Ann Arbor, MI | Winter 2021

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As part of the CAI team, I support the design and development of “Visualizing Women’s Work,” a MOOC created by Melanie Manos.

• Collaborate with team members to identify innovative ways of teaching social justice through visual arts

• Create stunning course materials that support the learning process

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Graduate Student Instructor 

Integrative Projects Course

University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | Fall 2020

 

This two-semester course gives undergraduate seniors the opportunity to design, plan, and complete a single capstone project. 

• Attend class sessions to monitor student engagement and progress

• Hold office hours to work with students individually

• Grade student assignments

• Help plan and organize activities between course sections

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Graduate Student Instructor of Record

Graphic Design for Non-Majors Course

University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | Winter 2020

 

This course taught non-Stamps majors the skills, software, and vocabulary of graphic design.

• Design course objectives and syllabus

• Develop lesson plans and associated materials for each class session

• Create scaffolded assignments and projects that taught design principles and conceptual skills alongside software skills

• Communicate, hold office hours, grade, and otherwise monitor and support students progress

• Transition course to online format due to COVID-19

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Graduate Student Research Assistant

Designer of objects to support chronic disease patients

University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | Fall 2019

 

I worked with Professor Omar Sosa-Tzec on developing delightful products for patients suffering from depression, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other co-morbidities.

• Collaborate with a team of undergrads to design and prototype products

• Digital design and laser part for products

• Design new possible product variations

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Design and Outreach Associate

GrieveWell | Ann Arbor, MI | 2018 – 2021

 

GrieveWell is a non-profit providing services for adults in grief, and building supportive communities through public education and awareness. I work directly with the executive director to grow GrieveWell’s outreach and brand awareness through a variety of media. In 2019 I organized Ann Arbor’s first community “Grief Week,” which engaged over 5000 people and brought together local businesses and organizations to “put grief on the map.”

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• Design, implement, and manage awareness campaigns and social media strategies that educate the community about grief and grief support

• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop new grief resources and services

• Create marketing materials and graphics

• Design and create illustrations for new products and promotional materials

• Coordinate businesses, volunteers, and GrieveWell staff to host large community events such as the Annual Kite Festival, the Grief Week art exhibit, public workshops, and more

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Freelance Illustrator/Founder

LITTLE KNIDS LLC | Ann Arbor, MI | 2014 – Present

 

LITTLE KNIDS (www.littleknids.com) creates illustrations and designs for clients with a focus on education, healthcare, and child development. My designs have been used by groups such as USDA WIC, U of M Museum of Natural History, and the Food Bank of New York City.

• Develop and maintain client relations

• Create high-quality illustrations and designs in the styles specified by the client

• Aid in brand development, website design, product development, and packaging design

 

Illustrator/Creator/Writer

The Smarty Scoop | Ann Arbor, MI | 2016 – Present

 

The Smarty Scoop (www.smartyscoops.com) is an educational blog designed to engage the public, especially children, in science through fun illustrations and non-technical summaries of current scientific discoveries. The Smarty Scoop is now regularly featured in the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History newsletter.

• Identify science stories of interest for younger audiences

• Illustrate the story and compose a written summary

 

Costume Designer

Pioneer High School Theatre Guild | Ann Arbor, MI | 2017 – 2021

 

The professional staff of Pioneer Theatre Guild provides guidance, supervision, and support for high school students to create a well-rounded theatre experience and hands-on educational opportunities.

• Oversee 5–15 high school students that make up the costumes crew

• Design and manage the creation of 20–150 costumes per show

• Collaborate with directors, producers, and other designers

 

COO/Lead Designer

Warmilu | Ann Arbor, MI | 2016 – 2018

 

Warmilu is a startup company creating non-electric warming products for infants and other healthcare markets. At Warmilu, I oversaw all aspects of design, marketing, and product development.

• Collaborate with doctors and nurses in the US and Africa to design the “IncuBlanket,” a non-electric infant incubator blanket

• Conduct customer feedback interviews to assess future product improvements and gather research for new designs

• Organize and perform FDA required testing to ensure customer safety while using Warmilu products

• Establish supply chain and production processes for products

• Manage social media, website, and customer communications

• Participate in overseas marketing events and hospital visits (Kenya, Uganda)

• Aided in closing on $150,000+ in funding from grants and investments

 

Store and Website Manager

O’Child Children’s Boutique | Bloomington, IN | 2013 - 2015

 

• Create and manage an online store, website, and social media

• Organize events to attract new customers and give back to the local community

• Build and maintain customer relationships

 

Design and Production Assistant

Pip and Bean | Bloomington, IN | 2012 - 2013

 

• Research trends in the children’s market

• Assist in pre-production and material procurement

• Design and prototype seasonal costume collection

 

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant

Indiana University | Bloomington, IN | 2011 – 2012

 

I served as the Teaching Assistant for the Fashion Illustration and Ideation undergraduate course.

• Work with the instructor to present course material

• Grade and give feedback on student work

• Educate students on illustration and design techniques and theory

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FACILITATION

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Coverage Quest: Health Insurance Coverage Mapping Workshop

Michigan Collaborative for Type 2 Diabetes | Michigan | 2023​

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Toward Thriving: Chronic Pain Workshop

University of Michigan| Ann Arbor, MI | 2023

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Academic Poster Design Workshop

University of Michigan| Ann Arbor, MI | 2023

 

Racial Equity Community Discussion Sessions

Washtenaw County Food Policy Council | Ann Arbor, MI | 2021​

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Costume Design Workshop 

Pioneer High School | Ann Arbor, MI | 2021​

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Grief Workshops and Events

GrieveWell | Ann Arbor, MI | 2018-2020

 

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: Pregnancy and Infant Loss Virtual Brunch  

This event focused on providing support to parents who had lost a pregnancy or newborn through storytelling and visual expression. Participants listened to speakers, created a digital “self-care vision board,” and interacted during a facilitated zoom session.   

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Virtual Peer Counselor Training

Accepted volunteers participate in 13 hours of grief support training using Zoom and Google Classroom. 

 

GrieveWell Workshop Series (In-Person and Virtual)

GrieveWell hosts approximately 10 workshops either in-person or in a webinar format using the platform Livestorm. These workshops are free and provide resources, tools, and support for individuals in grief.     

 

Grief Centered Yoga Series (In-Person and Virtual)

Starting in 2019, I organized ongoing free yoga classes held at local studios or over Zoom. These classes featured a variety of different teachers and techniques centered around healing and breathwork.  

 

Ambassador Program and Training (In-person and Virtual)

I created a grief ambassadors program to compliment GrieveWell’s peer counseling program. These ambassadors participated in events, spoke to community members, and distributed resources and information.  

 

Grief Week Art Exhibit

Created and organized Ann Arbor’s first community grief art show. Local artists creating art inspired by loss were featured in four local businesses during Grief Week. 

 

 

Design Charrettes

MDes Program | Ann Arbor, MI | 2019-2021

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INVOLVEMENT

 

Health Equity Champion | 2022 - Present

Lead health equity efforts for the Michigan Collaborative for Type 2 Diabetes.​

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Washtenaw County Black Farmers Fund | 2021 - 2022

Serve as a board member for the first ever fund in Washtenaw county to support black farmers.

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Washtenaw County Food Policy Council | 2021 - 2023

Member of County Commission-appointed Washtenaw County Food Policy Council, holding a community representative seat, using human-centered design methods to increase and preserve access to safe, local and healthy food for all residents of our county. 

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Michigan Local Food Council Network DEI Learning Cohort | 2021

Attended 6 DEI learning sessions and successfully applied for an Equity Action Project grant to address racial equity issues in our local food system. 

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Covid-19 Mask Production 

Designed and produced reusable masks for donation to community members, businesses, and other groups. Any money donated for masks was used to provide food to healthcare works at Michigan Medicine and St. Joe’s Hospital.

 

Volunteer Grief Peer Counselor | 2018- Present

Work one-on-one with clients who have experienced a loss, and help give them hope and support as they process their grief

 

Spoonflower Designer | 2015- Present

Design textile prints that are sold on POD through the Spoonflower platform

 

Textile Artist Association Treasurer | 2011 – 2013

Participate in various gallery shows, work with visiting artists, organize fundraisers, and manage group account, collect dues, and pay for group activities.

 

 

EXHIBITS

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Grief Week Art Exhibit

GrieveWell | Ann Arbor, MI | 2019

Created and organized Ann Arbor’s first community grief art show. Local artists creating art inspired by loss were featured in four local businesses during Grief Week. 

 

BFA Thesis Show: Monster May I

Grunwald Gallery | Bloomington, IN | 2013

 

Thangka Painting Collection

University Of Michigan Museum of Art | Ann Arbor, MI | 2012

Dyed indigo textiles to replace damaged backgrounds on historical Thangka paintings

 

IU Fashion Show

Alumni Hall | Bloomington, IN | 2012

 

Fine Arts Overseas Study Exhibit

Grunwald Gallery | Bloomington, IN | 2012

Featured intaglio prints and handmade books from an overseas study in Venice.

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The Kaleidoscope Show

The Lodge | Bloomington, IN | 2012 

 

Midwest Fashion Week

Madame Walker Theatre | Indianapolis, IN | 2012

Featured as the winner of fashion show on Indy Style TV

 

BFA Area Show 

Grunwald Gallery | Bloomington, IN | 2012

 

Trashion Refashion Show

Bloomington, IN | 2011

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AWARDS

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• Slusser Graduate Award

• Smucker Wagstaff Grant 

• Top 10 Winner of Spoonflower Tea Towel Design Challenge

• Winner of Spoonflower x Princess Awesome Design Challenge 

• WeWork Creator $75,000 Grant

• Top 5 Winner of Spoonflower x Headbands of Hope Design Challenge 

• Wix Stunning Website Award 

• Top 10 Winner of Spoonflower x StoryPatches Design Challenge 

• Provost Award for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity

• Bill Blass Scholarship

• College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s List

• Winner of Midwest Fashion Week competitive show

• La Verda Graham Rood Scholarship

• Marcy Murphy Printmaking Overseas Study Fellowship

• Edward L. Hutton Intl Experience Program Grant

• Pygmalion’s Award

• Phi Beta Kappa

• AMID (Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design) Departmental Award

• AMID Honors

• Area Prize in Textiles

• IU Excellence Scholarship

• Direct Admit to Hope School of Fine Arts

• Founders Scholar

• Hutton Honors College