Tara S. Email & Phone Number

Provided communications consultation, brand strategy, design, copywriting, and othercreative services directly to clients and in tandem with other agencies and professionals• Co-led brand design and messaging for a public health multi-media campaign adopted byEmory and featured in the Obama Administration’s Summit on Early Childhood Education• Wrote public-facing content on behalf of the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security’s DomesticTerrorism Prevention Campaigns, including social media messaging and brochure copy• Developed strategic branding for a Black parent advocacy organization dedicated todismantling systemic racial inequities in the North Carolina public education system

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Created written and visual communications for video, print, web, outdoor, event, and socialmedia; specialized in distilling complex concepts into digestible content for the general public• Managed communications strategies and creative for a large private foundation;directing multiple projects, teams, and vendors in a community-conscious, deadlinedrivenenvironment; ensured clear, consistent voice and visual identity standards• Leveraged deep audience understanding to research, write, and develop an awardwinningeducational mini-film with state-wide public/private K-12 distribution• Directed the creation of multi-media campaigns for large local brands, includingproducing award-winning print and digital assets that outperformed industry standards• Led clients through the planning, launch, and execution of communication strategies;oversaw the development of creative concepts, collateral materials, and campaigns• Established expertise in equity communications; wrote/produced award-winning content• Overhauled multiple complex websites, improving navigation, content, and accessibilityNotable clients include: The Dalí Museum, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, Checkers, Visit Florida, Creative Pinellas, Eckerd College, WEDU, University of Tampa, and Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

Founded and led the Tampa Bay chapter of CreativeMornings, the world’s largest face-tofacecreative community, which provided free monthly events to foster human connection• Organized, coordinated, and managed 50+ in-person and digital community events thatwelcomed 150-200 attendees per gathering; facilitated 10+ smaller convenings• Grew and managed a team of 25+ skilled volunteers; directed volunteer outreach/training• Led all brand communications, including email, web, social media, print, OOH, and PR• Secured and built relationships with community partners for hospitality, design,photography, video production, social media, event space, entertainment, andsustainability, garnering more than $20,000 of monthly in-kind support• Produced full-scale events with zero operating capital; negotiated a design andmerchandising partnership to create collateral materials to heighten chapter’s visibility• Led outreach efforts; built a hybrid community of more than 2,500 registered members• Cultivated a social media following of 6,500+ on Meta platforms through organic growth• Coached 40+ speakers in speechwriting and presentation design• Pioneered a zero-waste event model with 3rd party accountability and presented it to theglobal community for adoption, decreasing our collective international carbon footprint

Greater Tampa Bay Area

Operational analysis and consulting services to help organizations and events shift to more sustainable practices in the name of people, planet, and profits. Notable clients include: Raymond James, Facebook Art Department, Hillsborough Community College, The Penny Hoarder, and CreativeMornings

Greater Atlanta Area

Freelance designer, writer, and content creator on a two-person team that provided full design services for a number of organizations working in the literacy and social justice spaces. Concepted, designed, and built out "Talk With Me Baby," a cross-sector state-wide public action campaign designed to educate and inspire parents and caregivers to talk with their babies in order to encourage the critical brain development required for higher learningNotable clients include: Get Georgia Reading, Georgia Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Teach for America, and Georgia Family Connection Partnership

Port Orange, Fl

7th grade Language Arts Designed and executed engaging lessons for the 7th grade Language Arts curriculum. Instructed students in written and spoken communication, poetic elements, literary analysis, expository and persuasive writing techniques, editing and revision, and related topics.6th-8th grade Journalism Ran the journalism program to produce an annual yearbook, which included instructing students in marketing, advertising, design and layout, interviewing, copywriting, editing and revision, photography, creating and maintaining social media presence, sales, and vendor relations.6th-8th grade Odyssey Lab Credit Retrieval Course Oversaw remedial coursework for all three levels of the four core courses to ensure students advanced to the next grade level. Provided tutoring and guidance to students during the school year and in summer classes and maintained an appropriately flexible classroom setting for them to achieve their personal best.

Plant City, Fl

7th & 8th grade Adv/Hon Language ArtsDesigned and executed reading and writing lessons for high-achieving Language Arts students under the Spring Board curriculum. Instructed students in written and spoken communication, poetic elements, literary analysis, expository and persuasive writing techniques, editing and revision, and related topics.Founded and fostered the "Healthy Tigers" club, which promoted healthy habits to students and staff.

High Springs, Fl

6th grade Language ArtsDesigned and executed engaging lessons for the 6th grade Language Arts curriculum. Instructed students in written and spoken communication, poetic elements, literary analysis, expository and persuasive writing techniques, editing and revision, and related topics.7th grade Pre-AlgebraDesigned and executed pre-algebra lessons for struggling 7th grade students. Tutored students one-on-one in basic math skills to prepare them for success in pre-algebra and later courses. Yearbook Advisor & Photography Club SponsorLed an after-school team of 6th-8th grade students in the creation of a full-length yearbook for the K-8 student body. Instructed students in marketing, advertising, design and layout, interviewing, copywriting, editing and revision, photography, sales, and vendor relations. Sponsored a related group of student photographers as they captured images for the yearbook and their own personal portfolios. Assistant Coach, Boys Soccer Team Trained 6th-8th grade student athletes in positioning, strategy, fitness, and soccer skills and rules. Head Coach, Girls Basketball TeamTrained 6th-8th grade student athletes in positioning, strategy, fitness, and basketball skills and rules.

Graduate Certificate, Design

Activities and Societies: AIGA Student Chapter

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English Language And Creative Writing, Sociology