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:

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

Owner, Design Agency

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

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

MIT Sloan School of Management

Certificate

Artificial Intelligence:  Implications for Business Strategy

This certificate program from the MIT Sloan School of Management and the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) challenges common misconceptions surrounding AI and equipped me to embrace AI as part of a transformative toolkit. With a focus on the organizational and managerial implications of these technologies, rather than on their technical aspects, I am now armed with the knowledge and confidence I need to pioneer its successful integration in business.

MASTER'S

Purdue University

GPA: 3.8

Concentration in Leadership Communication

In this intensive graduate program, I gained a robust understanding of the rapidly evolving communications landscape. My coursework placed 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@SawyersWeb.com
  • Location
    South Bend, IN