ABOUT ME

Hello, and welcome to my professional corner on the web!

I’m an innovative, empathetic, and adaptable professional who’s passionate about using my skills to effect meaningful change. My approach is characterized by my unique blend of creativity, empathy, and unconventional problem-solving – a combination that allows me to see things from multiple perspectives and create innovative solutions.

With a background in communications and a deep commitment to lifelong learning, I’ve nurtured a set of skills that span across various disciplines. My commitment to compassionate interaction and thoughtful problem-solving is reflected in my work, as I always strive to create outcomes that not only meet objectives but also make a positive impact.

My personal mission is to use my capabilities to foster positive transformations, be it on an individual, community, or organizational level. My vision is to be an influential catalyst for change, inspiring others through my unique capabilities. My values, including compassion, curiosity, reason, and nature guide my actions and interactions.

In my portfolio, you’ll see evidence of these traits in action. Whether it’s a marketing campaign that required creative problem-solving or a team project that benefited from my collaborative approach, each experience has allowed me to grow and reaffirm my commitment to my values.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about me. Please feel free to explore my portfolio and resume, and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or would like to discuss potential opportunities.

Personality Attributes:

Jung Typology

INFJ

Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Judging

My personality type is complex, with a unique blend of idealism and practicality that results in a commitment to various causes. As an INFJ, I am deeply humanitarian, drawn to roles where I can make a significant impact and contribute to the greater good.

I show a profound interest in others and am often mistaken for an extrovert. However, I am a true introvert, preferring emotional intimacy and fulfillment with a select few among my long-term friends, family, or “soul mates”. I engage with others and their needs actively but occasionally withdraw to recharge and protect myself from emotional overload.

Possessing clear insights into the motivations of others, I have an uncanny ability to understand people’s intentions, both good and evil. This perception stems from my heightened empathic abilities. Yet, this strength can be a double-edged sword, causing discomfort or pain in stressful situations.

I also experience inner conflicts, possibly resulting from the combination of my personality preferences. For instance, there might be a tension between my idealism and practicality that urges compromise. The combination of Introversion and Judging might increase self-awareness but make it hard to express my deepest feelings.

Written communication is usually easier for me, revealing my strong writing skills. I possess personal charisma and am well-suited to “inspirational” professions like teaching, religious leadership, psychology, and counseling. My career path is not easily defined as I may thrive in various fields, thanks to my dominant intuition function that aids in understanding abstract theory and implementing it creatively.

As an INFJ, I am a “systems builder,” focusing on systems founded on human values rather than technology. Though these systems might be harder to measure, their contributions to society are vital and profound.

I am a champion of the oppressed and downtrodden, often found rescuing those in acute distress. The concept of ‘poetic justice’ is appealing to me, and I am selective about my friends, valuing symbiotic bonds that transcend mere words.

DISC Style

S-Type

My DISC profile reveals that I am a Type S, characterized by my calm, patient, and supportive nature. As an S-type, I tend to be a reliable team player who values harmony and stability in both my personal and professional life. I’m known for my empathy and cooperative nature, thriving in environments that encourage collaboration, consistency, and strong interpersonal relationships.

Key attributes of my personality include my patience, even in high-pressure situations, and my supportive nature, making me excellent at providing encouragement and assistance to others. I’m also dependable, carrying out my responsibilities consistently, and I’m cooperative, often seeking common ground and shared solutions to problems. Stability is crucial to me, as I prefer familiar routines and environments. As an active listener, I attentively process and understand the needs and concerns of others.

CliftonStrengths
Input & Empathy

My CliftonStrengths Finder results show that my top strengths are Input and Empathy.

As someone with the Input strength, I am characterized by my curiosity and desire to learn more. I like to collect and archive information, using it to give good advice and generate ideas to resolve issues or overcome obstacles. I am an avid reader, driven by my passion to absorb all sorts of information from various sources. My voracious appetite for knowledge and my open, agile mind form the basis for sophisticated conversations. Spending time reflecting on the thoughts of brilliant writers or researchers is something I value and enjoy.

On the other hand, my Empathy strength reflects my ability to sense and understand the feelings of others by imagining myself in their situations. I am aware of the needs and desires of the people around me and strive to make them feel good. My talents, knowledge, and skills are shared freely, and I am known as a giver, not a taker. I try to befriend most people I meet and feel deeply hurt when I face rejection or negative comments. People often share their deepest thoughts and feelings with me because they know I will accept them without judgment. Trustworthiness is a trait I value highly in my friendships.

Adobe Creative Type

Dreamer

The world is a place of beauty and magic in my eyes. Where others see facts and figures, I see symbols, metaphors, and hidden meanings.

I’m deeply emotional and intuitive, with a vivid imagination—I am the quintessential idealist and romantic. The inner world is always where I’ve felt most at home. I’m happy to roam my mental landscape of thoughts, emotions, and fantasies for hours on end.

I’m naturally drawn to express my inner world through literary pursuits, music, and the visual arts. I consider myself as the “magical realist” of the creative types: like the literary masters of that genre, I naturally infuse my everyday life with the beauty and wonder of the imagination.

My greatest gift is my depth of sensitivity and empathy, which allows me to give voice to universal human emotions in a way that touches people on a profound level. My greatest challenge is learning to balance dreaming with disciplined action—which starts with coming back to the present moment. I let my mind roam free, but I always remember to return to the here and now. Practicing mindfulness goes a long way in helping me turn my dreams into reality.

I always seek out opportunities to collaborate with INNOVATOR types, who combine my lofty idealism with a focus on pragmatic solutions. The grounding energy of the INNOVATOR can inspire me to apply my imagination to real-world change.

Professional Experience

Freelance Graphic and Web Designer

Entrepreneurially directed my own freelance business, where I have been responsible for managing all business tasks, sales, and client communications. My clients have ranged from small local businesses to mid-sized companies, as well as non-profit organizations.

• Strategized and orchestrated the design and creation of engaging print and digital media content. This encompassed branding packages, marketing materials, infographics, websites, and social media graphics tailored to each client’s unique branding needs and aesthetics.

• Cultivated a deep understanding of content strategy, developing customized strategies for each client to increase their reach and improve their digital presence.

• Tracked, analyzed, and reported content performance using analytics tools such as Google Analytics. This data-driven approach allowed me to optimize design and content to improve client engagement and conversion rates.

• Frequently conducted market and audience research to support the development of targeted, effective presentations, proposals, and design strategies.

• Demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning, staying current with content strategies, design trends, and best practices to ensure delivery of innovative solutions that respond to the evolving digital landscape.

• Performed rigorous testing of all digital solutions, using feedback to iterate and enhance design and functionality, ensuring optimal results for my clients.

• Successfully maintained positive client relationships through transparent communication and diligent follow-up, leading to repeat business and a strong referral network.

Communications Specialist

 

Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame

  • Partnered with a diverse team of international scholars and the communications team to conceive and create visually appealing and engaging written content for both print and digital platforms, always ensuring alignment with established branding guidelines and content messaging standards.
  • Conceptualized and developed content for marketing campaigns that were disseminated across various media channels, amplifying the reach and impact of our brand.
  • Executed copywriting responsibilities with a keen eye for detail, crafting compelling narratives and persuasive messages that successfully enhanced our communication efforts.
  • Assumed a pivotal role in proofreading all outgoing communications, diligently ensuring that every piece of content upheld the highest standards of clarity, conciseness, and grammatical correctness.
  • Spearheaded the development and continuous improvement of our website, optimizing its layout and content for user engagement, accessibility, and search engine optimization.
Audiobook Narrator

  • Interpreted and voiced text for a variety of audiobooks, ensuring alignment with the style, tone, and pace set by the author and the production team.
  • Delivered clear and compelling narrations, appealing to a broad range of listeners, and ensuring the delivery matched the intention and meaning of the text.
  • Brought characters to life using different voices, accents, and dialects, enhancing the audience’s engagement with the story.
  • Utilized appropriate intonation, rhythm, and pacing to enhance the listener’s experience, and skillfully conveyed various emotional depths.
  • Collaborated with directors and producers, adhering to their specific directions on characters, tone, speed, and overall performance.
  • Maintained strict adherence to recording schedules.
  • Worked with sound engineers to guarantee the delivery of high-quality audio production.
  • Handled script and scene changes with professionalism, adjusting delivery as necessary.
  • Kept accurate records of completed work for payment and follow-up purposes.
  • Consistently maintained vocal health and endurance for long recording sessions.
Event Coordinator

  • Work as a day-of wedding coordinator to establish a comprehensive schedule of events in collaboration with the bride and groom before the wedding.
  • Act as a liaison between the couple and all wedding vendors, including the venue, caterers, DJ, photographers, and videographers, ensuring everything proceeds smoothly according to the schedule.
  • Coordinate with vendors to manage logistics and keep the wedding on track during the event.
  • Provide support and guidance to the wedding party and guests as needed throughout the ceremony and reception.
  • Manage any unexpected challenges that may arise during the wedding day, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for the couple and their guests.
  • Offer professional and personable communication skills to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for all involved in the wedding celebration.
  • Ensure that all aspects of the wedding ceremony and reception are executed with precision and attention to detail, leaving the couple with cherished memories of their special day.
  • Create and perform unique and meaningful wedding ceremonies that fully represent the couple’s relationship.
  • Customize ceremonies to showcase the couple’s unique love and ensure it aligns with their preferences.
  • Offer ceremonies that are respectful of the couple’s backgrounds, accommodating non-denominational, non-religious, or spiritual preferences.

 

Education


MASTER'S

Purdue University

GPA: 3.94

Concentrations in both Health Communication and Leadership Communication

I plan to graduate in October 2023. In this intensive graduate program, I am gaining a robust understanding of the rapidly evolving communications landscape. My coursework places a particular emphasis on strategic communications, public relations, digital media, and integrated marketing strategies. I have honed my skills in areas such as content creation, media analytics, crisis communication, and leadership in communication. Through various hands-on projects, I have had the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, preparing me for diverse roles in the communications industry.

BACHELOR OF ARTS

St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN

GPA: 3.697

I transferred here from Notre Dame to complete my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.

UNDERGRADUATE COURSEWORK

University of Notre Dame

GPA: 3.033

I began my undergraduate education at the University of Notre Dame. I completed three semesters there with general liberal arts courses after which I decided to pursue elementary education at Saint Mary’s College.

PORTFOLIO

  • All
  • Print
  • Digital
  • Branding
  • Branding projects
    Branding projects
  • Digital projects
    Digital projects
  • Print projects
    Print projects

CONTACT


  • Phone
    574-344-8128
  • E-mail
    Nancy@ColoraDesign.com
  • Location
    South Bend, IN