25+ years driving success through strategic positioning, innovative campaigns, and collaborative leadership. As an ideator, I uncover a brand’s purpose to create emotional connections with audiences. Anything can look great, but without strategic thinking, it has a short shelf life. I’m not the type who shows up to your birthday party and makes it all about me and nor do I believe brands should act like this either.

Senior Creative Strategist | Sword Health | Remote // January 2025 > Present

I lead concept development, creative strategy, and brand storytelling from business goal to execution for a $4B health tech startup.

Director of Creative Services | CareRev | Remote // July 2022 > December 2023

A tech startup in the healthcare industry, specializing in revolutionizing the flexible workforce model. I was a member of the Senior Leadership Team and reported to the Chief Strategy Officer.

• Developed a brand strategy and identity to reflect the company’s mission of empowering healthcare professionals and modernizing hospital staffing to both our key audiences (healthcare facilities and healthcare professionals).

• Created scalable brand systems, including messaging guides, visual toolkits, and campaign templates ensuring creative consistency and operational efficiency.

• Partnered cross-functionally with growth, product, and clinical teams to align brand storytelling with business goals, internal culture, and market trends.

• Directed and motivated a team of seasoned art directors, copywriters, designers and freelancers to help them achieve their full potential.

Creative Director | Hill Aevium | Remote // April 2018 > August 2022

Hill Aevium (now The Blackbird Agency) hired me to build an exceptional creative team for elevated campaign output.

• Modernized agency creative operations, introducing streamlined processes, brand guidelines, and creative briefs to improve clarity and delivery timelines.

• Acted as a strategic partner to clients, translating business objectives into breakthrough creative that strengthened brand equity and drove engagement.

• Additionally, served as the agency producer to estimate, triple bid, produce and deliver all deliverables regarding photography, video and radio. Responsible for pre and post-production.

Creative Director | Capital Goods | Denver, CO // September 2017 > October 2024

Founded in 2017 with the belief there was a better (and way more fun) way of working that prioritizes collaboration and transparency throughout every step of the process. We were a team of 3 consisting of me and 2 account leads.

• Led the creative team, strategy, planning and execution for the following clients: Eddie Bauer and Taos Ski Valley.

• Developed a social media structure for Eddie Bauer. Specifically launched the #WhyIHike campaign which resulted in 100k+ tags in the first month.

• Revamped Taos’ brand position and launched a successful campaign, resulting in a 36% rise in Colorado visitors.

Director of Marketing | Speedvagen | Portland, OR // August 2016 > September 2017

A collaboration between master fabricators, expert bicycle painters, wood, leather, fabric and metal workers. All working to build the best bicycle you will ever own.

• Developed and implemented a multi-channel marketing strategy spanning experiential campaigns, product launches, social media, email, and events fueling consistent growth in DTC engagement and sales.

• Increased traffic to speedvagen.com by 188%, resulting in 64% increase in sales.

Associate Creative Director | Pilgrim | Denver, CO // January 2015 > September 2016

I was hired to differentiate and improve this health and wellness-focussed-boutique agency.

• Co-led with the Creative Director the strategy, planning and execution for the following clients: Eating Recovery Center, Connect For Health Colorado, AAA Colorado, The Colorado Wildlife Council, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, P2Bi Investors and The Fifty (Award show).

Creative Director | School | Boulder, CO // March 2014 > November 2014

An agency, specializing in experiential marketing that used AOR contracts to build schools in countries of need with sole purpose of winning a Nobel Peace Prize.

• Led the creative team, strategy, planning and execution for Microsoft.

Creative Director | Amélie Company | Denver, CO // September 2009 > March 2014

I was hired specifically to differentiate and elevate this boutique agency. In my nearly 5 years we boosted agency awareness with a 150% increase in agency awards that lead to client satisfaction and agency brand positioning.

• Boosted the agency’s productivity by implementing a new creative brief process, strategy and planning phase and raised the creative bar as a whole - resulting in increased client satisfaction and securing $5.3MM in revenue growth.

• Led and motivated a team of experienced art directors, copywriters, designers, and creative professionals. Simultaneously served as the agency producer, overseeing the estimation, triple bidding, production, and delivery of all photography, video, and radio deliverables, spanning pre and post-production phases.

Senior Art Director | McClain Finlon | Denver, CO // February 2006 > May 2007

Art Director | The Mandala Agency | Bend, OR // March 2003 > February 2006

Junior Art Director | Grey Direct | Atlanta, GA // May 2002 > February 2003

Art Director Intern | Fitzgerald + Co | Atlanta, GA // December 2000 > September 2001

Brand Experience

Eddie Bauer, Mountain Hardwear, Burton Snowboards, Speedvagen, Outlast Technologies, Weber Grills, Babolat, Xcel Energy, Western Union, Westerra Credit Union, BellSouth, Qwest, Microsoft, Flying Dog Brewery, Taos Ski Valley, Breckenridge, Visit Golden, Gunnison/Crested Butte Visitors Bureau, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, BendFilm, Boulder International Film Festival, Colorado Department of Transportation, Eating Recovery Center, CareRev

The Creative Circus | Atlanta, GA // September 1999 > September 2001

University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL // September 1994 > August 1998

gordmail@gmail.com

+1 303 304 1245