My goal as a leader is to empower my team to set and accomplish goals, while creating an environment of collaboration, achievement, and fun.
My main leadership strategies are:
• communicate clear, organized, attainable expectations
• empower creatives to take ownership of their projects and growth
• consistently provide structure, encouragement, and support
• recognize and celebrate achievements and strengths
Leadership Experience
Art Director | 06.17 - 02.20
Together & Company / Sweet Carrot | Columbus OH
• Supervised and coached a graphic design student intern who was later hired by the company as a full-time employee
• Trained marketing interns on company brand standards
Co-VP, CSCA Gives Back (volunteer position) | 01.17 - 11.18
Columbus Society of Communicating Arts | Columbus OH
• Organized volunteers and coordinated with non-profits to provide in-kind creative services to local organizations
Art Director | 01.14 - 3.16
Print Syndicate, Inc. | Columbus OH
• Led team of Graphic Designers, Copywriters, Photographers, and Graphic Design Interns (approximately 10 direct reports)
Leadership Professional Development
Women in Leadership Program | 04.15 - 09.15
PRADCO | Columbus OH
In-depth, six-month group coaching leadership program
In-House Management Conference | 05.15
HOW Design Live | Chicago IL
Week-long program specializing in creative team leadership
Project Management Workshop | 08.15
Fred Pryor Seminars | Columbus OH
One-day Project Management course
Leadership Highlights
Email Marketing Challenge | 10.15
To inspire creativity for retail email marketing leading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I developed a challenge encouraging each team member to try different categories of creative approaches.
After completing each category, team members received a sticker badge for that category. The first team member to complete all categories received a prize, and at the end of the challenge, team members voted for a "Design Champ".
CSCA Gives Back | 2016-2018
In 2016, the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts (CSCA) Gives Back committee was formed by a passionate group of professionals & students who recognized the great need for creative support for organizations with big hearts but small marketing budgets. I served as co-leader for its two founding years, creating and coordinating projects for Columbus-area non-profits such as Flying Horse Farms and A Kid Again.
A CSCA Gives Back planning session, 2017
Flying Horse Farms project plan, 2017
Group photo of the Gives Back team installing art at Flying Horse Farms, 2018
Craft table at the Mid-Ohio Workers Holiday Party, 2018
Flying Horse Farms campers posing with a step-and-repeat banner provided by CSCA Gives Back, 2018
Design assets created for A Kid Again’s annual 5K race
Here’s what some of my former direct reports have to say:
"I can't think of a better art director to have. Mariana always had a positive attitude every day even through stressful work situations and was able to communicate effectively to our team what we need to accomplish to complete set goals.”
Bradley Patrick
worked together 2.5 years
"Mariana instilled confidence in myself and my teammates that empowered us to take on new challenges and continually push ourselves to grow and improve - both at our jobs and as individuals.”
Danielle Verner
worked together 2 years
"It's not every day that you come across someone who can really change the way you think, and mold you into a better person. More than just a valuable leader, Mariana worked closely to make sure that not only the needs of the company were met but our team's as well.”
Kayla Graves
worked together 2 years
Kayla's first major completed project.