Elizabeth (Liz) Birnbaum Email & Phone Number

San Francisco Bay Area

In 2018, I pivoted from telling stories at the table to helping brands tell their stories online. Now we bring brand's stories to life through photography, design, marketing storytelling, and magic.- Led strategy and creative direction for national consumer brands as the head of social media for launch; introduced short-form video to 4 client accounts, and introduced storytelling and world building.- Inspired teams to complete brand guides with thorough attention to detail for multiple brand expressions and to reach new and younger demographics.- Acted as the key point of contact with clients and executives, always working diplomatically between clients and creative teams.- Led the concept, production, and filming of TikTok videos which have garnered over a million views.- Launched or revived client brands with an average 300% growth in engagement in the first 3 months, and maintained connection to the current fanbase.Clients: Ten Speed Press | Earthbound Farm | The Luxury Collection, Marriott | The Feedfeed | Whole Foods Market | GOODLES | Edible Monterey Bay | Arts Council Santa Cruz County | Verve Coffee | Manresa Restaurant | UCSC Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) | True Organic Products | Tufts University | Annieglass | KYLA Kombucha

Projects:- Photographed Fruit Trees for Every Garden for Ten Speed Press, documenting fruit tree care across four seasons. (pub. 2019)- Documented eight specialty crops at the UCSC Farm and Alan Chadwick Garden throughout the growing season to capture key steps in planting, production, harvest, post-harvest, and marketing processes. (2016 - 2017)- Documented farmers across the US on a photo-ethnograpy journey called The Farm(er) Project and created a three-part book: East, Midwest, and West. (Active 2010-2012)- Organized and documented Environmental Studies class trips from Northern Michigan to Southern Louisiana, especially focused on documenting students' engagement with forest and urban ecologies, tree ID for study guides, and promotional materials. (Active 2009 - 2012)Portfolio: https://lizbirnbaum.carbonmade.com

Santa Cruz, California, United States

Santa Cruz, California, United States

Santa Cruz, California

Stepped into leadership when a need arose within the team, and exceeded Fiscal Year budget goals in year one, totaling over $800K. Highights:- Led all major appeal campaigns and events.- Focused on corporate sponsorship engagement, led individual donor stewardship programs, and oversaw all grant applications to private foundations. - Led the strategy, logistics, marketing, and sponsorship acquisition for the largest annual fundraiser event, a legacy luncheon event at Natural Products Expo West for over 200 guests.

Soquel, Ca

Team leader for the annual EcoFarm Conference, managing the 4-day event with over 1,800 attendees. Created a dynamic educational environment for organic farmers and food industry to gather and exchange ideas. Managed all communications with 150+ speakers and 70 workshops, and venue logistics.Highlights:- Led quarterly meetings with a 35-member Planning Committee.- Reduced direct program expenses by 50% and increased event experience ratings by 30%.- Supported the design and launch of a new website and conference registration system.

Lake Forest, Il

Founded and managed the quarter-acre organic Lake Forest Campus Garden, which was both an outdoor classroom and working farm. Wrote and executed a three-year strategic plan, hired and managed students, and transformed a lawn to a productive space.Highlights:- Hired and managed 4 students each summer for food production/harvest and academic research.- Hosted events and classes to engage students, faculty, staff, and community at the Garden.- Managed press and accepted public speaking opportunities.

Lake Forest, Il

Worked closely with the Director to grow the program, including supporting student engagement, facilitating conversations about on-campus sustainability, and developing innovative courses and lecture series. Managed $1.25 million in grant funding, co-led courses on biodiversity and agriculture, botanical imperialism, and food geography.Highlights:- Increased departmental majors by 280% through marketing and outreach.- Managed 14 student workers, all with different project scopes.- Created a lecture series and led all planning, logistics, outreach, and event marketing.

5219 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Il 60640

Founded and collaboratively directed a gallery in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. In nine months we hosted 6 events including performances, interactive digital arts, traditional visual arts, fiber arts, taxidermy, and sculpture.

30 West Monroe Street, 18Th Fl, Chicago, Il 60603

Logistics support with architectural teams (Zaha Hadid and Ben van Berkel/ UN Studio), communications support, and VIP guest management for high-profile pavilion openings. Other projects included:- Assistance with special fundraising projects.- Serving as the point person for partner questions related to the the website (over 300 partners).- Writing/editing and uploading information about projects to the website.- Generated materials for managing and promoting the Burnham Plan Centennial Pavilions in Millenium Park.