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Profile

I am a nonprofit leadership professional with 15+ years of experience supporting mission-driven organizations through brand development, storytelling, grant writing, and community engagement. I am skilled in creating integrated marketing materials across print, web, social media, email, and events to strengthen visibility, fundraising, and partnerships. I bring a strong combination of creative direction, communications strategy, operations and program management experience in the arts, mental health, disability advocacy, and social justice sectors.

Experience

PRINCIPAL, Gayle Mahoney Branding + Design  |  Carmichael, CA  |   2020 - present
Support creative entrepreneurs by developing clear messaging for their brands through compelling storytelling and eye-catching graphic design.

  • Produce visual elements for print, web, social media and Email marketing within tight deadline constraints – produce and promote podcasts.

  • Coach indiviual artists in business development.

COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Advise nonprofits, arts districts and municipalities by providing strategies to build capacities of
organizations and advance their impact in the communities they serve.

  • Recommend options for increasing revenue through expansion of membership, strategic partnerships, art sales and licensing, space rental, grants and other fundraising/earned income efforts.

  • Assist nonprofits in creating effective brand messaging through web, Email marketing, social media and print communications. Craft targeted campaigns that drive audience engagement.

CONSULTANT, Peace + Justice Choir (volunteer)  |  Sacramento, CA  |  2025 - present
Provide leadership strategy for start-up social justice choir.

  • Collaborate with leadership team to develop communications assets (social media, website and Email marketing).

  • Wrote narrative section and coordinated submission of the North Central California Presbytery’s Congregational Vitality Grant (awarded $18,000). 

INDEPENDENT CREATIVE DIRECTOR, Rural Minds  |  Mayville, NY  |  2021 – 2024
Developed brand identity, web and print design for this national mental health nonprofit start-up.

  • Designed and launched organization’s website.

  • Implemented donor database (NeonOne) and trained staff in its use.

  • Researched and wrote grants.

  • Produced and promoted webinars.

DIRECTOR, MARKETING + DEVELOPMENT, GlassRoots | Newark, NJ | (Volunteer: 2017 – 2018; Staff: 2018 - 2020)
Contributed development strategy and support to art glass nonprofit that provides creative and economic opportunities for under-served populations through the dynamic process of working with glass.

  • Generated three-year marketing plan in anticipation of expansion to new location as the anchor
    tenant of Newark Arts Commons. Integrated strategic goals and messaging for multiple audiences. Created cross-organization editorial flow calendar that includes roles, responsibilities and deadlines.

  • Updated brand visuals and created branding guidelines to ensure consistency in all communications.

  • Supervised staff implementation and analysis of social media campaigns. Provided SEO guidelines for web content. Provided monthly social media and website analytics reports to the executive director.

  • Wrote grants, provided oversight in fulfilling program requirements and required impact reporting.

  • Maintained partnerships with Newark schools, local arts stakeholders and corporate volunteer programs (Prudential, Amazon, Audible among others).

  • Managed fundraising volunteers.

  • Advised board in marketing and communications initiatives as volunteer on Marketing Committee.

ART ADVISOR, Clerestory Fine Art | Montclair, NJ | 2018 - 2020
Provided business strategy and support for start-up of commercial art gallery.

  • Advised on development of gallery policies such as artist consignment agreements.

  • Contributed marketing strategy and planning; developed and managed company’s website.

ART ADVISOR, Studio Montclair Inc. | Montclair, NJ | 2014 - 2019
Contributed communications and development strategy to improve infrastructure, establish board best practices, grow membership and increase funding of 500-member regional arts guild.

  • Guided board of directors through development of strategic plan, which enabled the organization to realize its goal of opening a permanent gallery and increase income by 500% in just two years.

  • Provided strategies for expanding earned income streams through fee-for-service programs.

  • Developed corporate sponsorship programs and support materials.

  • Wrote grant proposals, reviewed grants written by staff. Created grant submission calendar.

  • Taught “Business Bootcamp for Artists” and “Build an Artist Website Using Squarespace” artist business courses.

ART ADVISOR, Township of Montclair | Montclair, NJ | 2014 - 2016
Assisted township planner in crafting public art programs for grant proposals. Wrote program descriptions and established project budgets with input from arts organizations and other stakeholders.

PROJECT MANAGER, ValleyArts Inc./Front of House Services | Orange, NJ | 2009 - 2015
Contributed marketing strategy and project management for arts advocacy nonprofit that advances
economic opportunities for artists and organizations in the Valley Arts District.

  • Contributed to development of strategic plan by facilitating work group meetings, designing surveys and formulating recommendations on the basis of results.

  • Expanded organization’s publicity efforts through media relations, web, social media and print.

  • Wrote all content for start-up of organization’s website, monthly e-newsletters and press releases.

  • Created programs and budgets for grant proposals that resulted in funding from ArtPlace America ($150,000), the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation ($25,000), the Kresge Foundation ($400,000), the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Grant ($50,000), and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts ($25,000), among others. Monitored donor acknowledgments in all communications.

  • Managed launch of gallery in newly renovated historic fire station adjoining artist live/work lofts.
    Wrote gallery policies and artist agreements. Acted as curator for gallery’s inaugural year.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, Supportive Housing Association of NJ (SHA) | South Orange, NJ | 2010 - 2015
Provided communications and development strategy, editorial direction and public relations for statewide nonprofit that advocates for affordable housing for people with special needs.

  • Initiated branding redesign and relaunched agency’s website. Created guidelines to ensure consistent use of brand identity across organization. Evaluated effectiveness of campaigns, website and social media through analytics, clipping services and other industry tools.

  • Wrote/edited press releases, policy papers, legislative campaigns, OpEds, talking points, weekly news bulletins and managed website content. Pitched stories to media and monitored news reporting on organization, its principals and advocacy areas. Produced all print and interactive communications.

  • Built alliances to promote systems change with affordable housing and disabilities advocates, families, service providers, developers, legislators and federal and state agencies.

  • Provided technical support for monthly statewide SHA membership meetings.

  • Coordinated the New Jersey Supportive Housing Conference, SHA’s annual fundraiser.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, Arts Unbound | Orange, NJ | 2009 - 2018
Contributed marketing and development strategies for nonprofit dedicated to providing vocational opportunities for artists with disabilities.

  • Coordinated organization’s education programs (in-studio and community-wide art classes in schools, senior centers, and in the homes of individual artists).

  • Managed the organization’s retail art sales that provided income for artists with special needs, including two seasonal pop-up retail shops and our permanent art gallery.

  • Expanded media list and established relationships with regional editors; pitched stories about the organization, its programs and impact. Wrote press releases, exhibition materials and website content.

  • Created grant programs, budgets, wrote grant proposals, and maintained relationships with strategic partners. Managed launch of holiday pop-up shop and gallery, funded by federal stimulus grant obtained through the New Jersey Department of Labor ($150,000 over two years).

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, Montclair Arts Council | Montclair, NJ | 2005 - 2010
Established marketing and communications direction for township-funded startup. Created
communications plan and implemented print and interactive communications.

  • Wrote press releases, weekly e-newsletters, calendar listings and promotional materials.

  • Managed launch of website. Initiated patron management system and online artists’ registry.

  • Worked closely with visual and performing arts nonprofits, Montclair State University, business
    improvement districts and other stakeholders to develop partnerships for cross-promotion of events and programs.

MARKETING MANAGER, Montclair Art Museum | Montclair, NJ | 2006 - 2007

Expanded awareness and audience engagement through promotion of programs for museum 
specializing in American and Native American art. Wrote and designed print materials and web 
content to support programs and exhibitions. Developed fundraising and membership campaigns.


  • Worked closely with museum director and board of trustees to create marketing plans in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan. Overhauled marketing budget to accurately reflect expenses.


  • Collaborated with department heads (curatorial, education, art school, development, membership, retail) to create communications materials to promote programs, engage diverse audiences, increase earned income, and expand the museum’s reputation in the region and nationally. 


  • Established editorial and advertising partnerships in the Native American Art niche, which resulted in a greater appreciation for the museum’s collection and programs in that field. 


  • Increased number and scope of educational resources available to improve visitor experience.


  • Managed the museum’s website relaunch. Conducted internal and external surveys to determine department and user needs. Solicited and evaluated vendor bids, making recommendations to the web committee. Set production schedules and created campaign announcing launch of the new site.


  • Introduced museum-wide editorial and production workflow system that increased efficiency and helped reduce staff burnout. Directed production of exhibition catalog books.

MARKETING MANAGER, Montclair Art Museum  |  Montclair, NJ  |  2006 - 2007

Expanded awareness and audience engagement for museum specializing in American and Native American art.
Produced print materials and web content across departments to promote programs and exhibitions, including
catalogs, gallery guides and membership materials.  

CREATIVE DIRECTION

INDEPENDENT ART/CREATIVE DIRECTOR | New York, NY, and Northern NJ | 1995 - present
Contribute global brand strategy, identity and design for Fortune 500 companies. Analyze research to establish frameworks for product launch. Develop a variety of materials for launching and established pharmaceutical and consumer brands.

  • Design logos, packaging, ad campaigns and product launch support materials (print and interactive) with a focus on brand lifecycle.

  • Deliver creative presentations and proposals internally and to clients. Manage photo shoots.

Agencies: Grey Healthcare Group, Integrated Communications, Saatchi & Saatchi, Source Advertising.
Pharmaceutical clients: Bayer, Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough.
Consumer clients: EK Success (Jolee’s Boutique, Martha Stewart Craft), Hewlett-Packard, International Greetings, Jaeger + Associates, Johanna Howard Home, Johnson & Johnson Baby, Subway Restaurants, Target, Walmart.
Editorial clients: Ad Age Group, American Kennel Club, American Lawyer Media, HealthPages, Parenting, International Snowboard Magazine.

EDUCATION

SKIDMORE COLLEGE | Saratoga Springs, NY
Bachelor of Arts Degree | Major: Art in Society
I conducted field research on the impact of the arts on the growth, history and culture of Essex County, NJ, with a focus on the longtime artist colony of Montclair, NJ. I wrote my senior thesis on the impact of Northern California artist Bruce Conner and his influence in the fields of art, sculpture, photography, film and music. I produced a website highlighting the art history of Montclair and greater Essex County, New Jersey.
Internship: Montclair Art Museum Marketing Department (At the end of my first day, I was offered the position of Marketing Manager, which was vacant at the time.)

SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY | San Francisco, CA
Completed coursework toward a special major combining studio art, marketing and communications. Art Director of university’s photojournalism magazine, PRISM. Won a national award from the Society of Professional Journalists – Best Student Publication.
Internship: San Francisco, CA | Parenting magazine, Design Department. After my internship I continued to do freelance design work in the design department.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

Supportive Housing Network of New York Annual Conference | New York, NY | 2014
Attended workshops Rapid Re-Housing: Adding a New Resource in the Strategy to End Homelessness, and Reciprocity: Helping NYC’s High-Risk Youth Realize Their Dreams.

NJ Governor’s Conference in Housing and Economic Development | Atlantic City, NJ | 2013
Represented SHA as exhibitor at this statewide conference for housing industry experts and decision makers in business, government and economic development.

Creative Time Symposium: “Art, Place and Dislocation in the 21st Century” | New York, NY | 2013
Attended conference on artists’ role in civic participation and art activism for social change and sustainability.

International Conference on Art and Disability
Creativity Explored | San Francisco, CA | 2011
Keynote Panelist: Represented Arts Unbound and shared insights as a panelist in two keynote presentations: Promotional and Earned Revenue Strategies in Arts and Disability and Vocational Programs and Career Plans for Artists With Disabilities

VOLUNTEER SERVICE

Vice President, Brentwood Estates HOA | Carmichael, CA | February 2020 - present.

GlassRoots Marketing Committee | Newark, NJ | 2017 - 2018
I began my association with GlassRoots as a volunteer on their board’s marketing committee after meeting then-Board President Kathryn Markel at an art fair in New York City (she owns a prominent art gallery there). In 2018 I was hired as their Director of Marketing and Development.

Member, Board of Directors, Studio Montclair Inc. | Montclair, NJ | 2012 - 2015
I served on the volunteer Board of Directors of Studio Montclair for more than two years, until I resigned my post when the organization hired me as a marketing and development consultant.

Valley Arts Inc., Board of Directors, Artist Representative | Orange, NJ | 2009 - 2012
I was appointed to the Board of Directors as the Artist Representative for this arts advocacy nonprofit that seeks to create economic opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs in this burgeoning arts district. Created by seed money from HANDS, a housing nonprofit located in Orange, NJ, and JP Morgan Chase community funds, redevelopment in the Valley Arts District has focused largely on providing affordable live/work rental space for artists and creative entrepreneurs living in the area of Orange, NJ, which used to be the hat manufacturing capital of the country. As Artist Representative, I gathered input and ideas from the area’s many artists and represented their interests at board meetings. I left the board when the organization hired me as the project manager for several start-up programs and galleries.