Until recently, the idea of empathy-first marketing, communication and leadership was considered “soft.”But soft is the new strong, because marketing is no longer a one-way message and it's no longer sufficient for a brand to equal a business – it has to reflect the people behind the business as well as the people it serves. Success can no longer be achieved through a "pitch"; it relies on building a relationship. And like all relationships, it requires two-way communication, understanding, shared values, and respect.That's how I've always approached my work in marketing and communications, even when it wasn't "how things are done." Over time, I developed that approach into a formal process to help my clients find their brand personalities and leverage that to build real, lasting relationships that fuel long-term success – the Empathy-Driven Brand Building™ process. This process works to help organizations understand, inspire, educate, and motivate their target audience, converting them not only into new clients or customers but into brand loyalists and advocates – a powerful force that feeds continued growth and success.I and my team are passionate about fueling the success of organizations that make a positive impact on their clients and communities. We love what we do. And we’re always excited to meet new people and take on new adventures together. A Bit About Me:With a foundation in journalism and more than 20 years of broad marketing and communications experience in a variety of industries, I have dedicated my career to crafting marketing communications campaigns that achieve business goals and make a difference.That journey has taken me down many paths, from healthcare to higher ed, social services to small business, and even working at a literal zoo (where I once spent an entire night in a pumpkin patch in the line of duty - ask me about it).Throughout my career, I've always had to wear many hats. As a result I've had the pleasure of gaining both broad and deep expertise in all aspects of integrated marketing communications and the ability to put all the pieces together to create compelling campaigns built on strong messaging and sound strategy.My specific areas of expertise include strategic messaging and brand development, content marketing, and digital marketing, as well as public relations, website development and campaign management.