Qualifications

Experience

Independent Contractor & Design Consultant

Creative Consultant & Educator | January 2010 to Present

Partners with clients to create connections, communicate differentiators, and craft engaging narratives through storytelling, creative direction, design, and training. Products include photographic narratives, portfolios and proposals, editorials and publications, exhibitions, marketing/awards collateral, installations, etc.

Builds brand consistency across the brand’s platforms, consults on business strategies, marketing strategies, and pursuit positioning for strategic growth.

Leads workshops and training sessions on industry-specific design software (Adobe CS) for teams in the AEC, hospitality, tourism, and technology sectors, improving workflow efficiency and skill development.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Adjunct Professor | September 2019 to Present

Leads and develops curriculum for a visual communication training course entitled, The Art of Storytelling, that introduces students to storytelling fundamentals, emphasizing the impact of verbal and visual narratives in architecture. Guides students in refining communication and composition skills through multiple mediums, including photography, research, writing, journaling, and graphic design.

Conducts specialized seminars and workshops that train students on architectural storytelling with a focus on architectural photography and editorial/publication layout design.

Co-teaches and co-develops curriculum for the summer study abroad program entitled, Architecture on the Adriatic, which guides students through over ten locations along the Adriatic Sea. Architecture on the Adriatic is a course taught in two congruent parts—Continuity in Architecture (architectural history taught by Colleen Humer) and Visual Narratives: From Lens to Layout (digital design and visual training taught by Lauren McPhillips).

Instructs Design Communications I & 2 in the College of Architecture Course providing visual training, design acuity, portfolio development, and technical aptitude for drawing and modeling software. (Software taught: Adobe CS, AutoCAD, Grasshopper, & Rhinoceros).

Co-Curator + Virtual Exhibition Designer for Open House 2020. Strata, a virtual exhibition, explores a survey of work from across all levels of the College of Architecture (2020.iitcoaopenhouse.com).

From 2018-2021, co-led the Experiment in Architecture Program, a two-week studio intensive designed to introduce students to the world of architecture and to provide an awareness of the diversity of career paths available to architects.

Lamar Johnson Collaborative

Associate, Senior Marketing Manager | May 2023 to November 2024

Worked with Executive Leadership and Market Leaders to identify new business opportunities, develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategies, build project teams, and grow the firm’s Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, and Urban Design practice. (Note: these efforts extended firm-wide, and to all markets, at times.)

Led and supported the development of compelling proposals from pre-positioning through interview presentation/contracting. 

Partnered with Senior Leadership to develop and formalize business development strategy and coordination for the firm’s Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, and Urban Design practice.

Performed market and client research, monitored and evaluated effectiveness of the pursuit pipeline, and built relationships as another representative of the firm.

Developed training curriculum and mentorship modules to train junior staff on marketing and business development best practices.

Provided art direction and photographic services for commissioned photoshoots and documented special events and firm culture. 

Developed and managed content for social media campaigns, marketing collateral, and award submissions.

PORT

Marketing & Business Development Manager | August 2021 to May 2023

Worked with PORT’s Executive Leadership to identify new business opportunities, build teaming strategies, and advance market reputation.

Championed PORT within the industry, created meaningful connections between people, places, and projects, and crafted compelling narratives. 

Oversaw procurement activities and Go/No-go process across North America and produced RFQ/P responses for project acquisition.

Art directed refresh of brand and redevelopment of website, curated and crafted content for website, media platforms, newsletters, and collateral.

Barbara Kasten Studios

Technical Design Consultant | January 2020 to May 2023

Produced renderings, schematic drawings, and construction drawings for presentation, ideation, and fabrication.

Developed installation manuals and assisted with on-site installation.

Oversaw database and coordinated with galleries to facilitate shipping, installation, and deinstallation, and prepared artwork for secure transit.

Chicago Architecture Biennial

Manager of Public Programs and Partnerships (Contract) | June 2019 to January 2020

Developed content for the Biennial Public Programs including the lecture series, film screenings, and the NEA pin-up exhibition space.

Managed Biennial Public Programs and Partner Program details of over 120 cultural institutions to produce an integrated calendar and robust marketing support for the run of the 2019 Biennial Edition. 

Administered Biennial Public Programs by arranging speakers, facilitating venue support, and coordinating travel.

Worked closely with the curatorial team on the programming and production of three dedicated curatorial weekends.

Administrative Assistant (Contract) | March 2019 to June 2019

Assisted Board Chairman, Executive Director + Deputy Director in the development and implementation of funding strategies to achieve financial goals, and provided scheduling and project support. 

Processed, monitored, and tracked donor metrics, outreach and follow-up.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Teaching Assistant | June 2016 to May 2018

Managed analog + digital media for the Director of the B.Arch Program, translated design processes into pedagogical + instructional narratives, provided graphic design services, and produced course collateral. 

Served as a university ambassador, campus tour guide, and graduate representative (both on campus and off-site recruiting events).

Choose Chicago

Assistant Client Services Manager | January 2014 to October 2015

Partnered with clients to curate experiences that championed Chicago as a premier business and leisure destination to increase attendance at over 50 citywide conferences annually. 

Served as the liaison between the client services and marketing departments.

Managed the Artist of the Year Artwork Program.

Client Services Coordinator | September 2012 to January 2014
Receptionist / Front Desk Coordinator | May 2012 to September 2012

Provided administrative and project support to the Client Services Team.

Served as the back-up coordinator for the Driver Program and assisted with special events.

Performed phone and front desk coverage and office management (including supply inventory, basic office equipment maintenance, and shipping and receiving responsibilities).

The Image House

Photographer / Post Production Specialist | November 2009 to June 2013

Photographed artwork and re-touched digital artwork.

Prepared artwork for print and gallery and commercial use.

Academic Appointments & Speaking Engagements

Adjunct Faculty | Summer 2025
Visual Narratives: From Lens to Layout
Illinois Institute of Technology (Study Abroad)

Review Juror | April 23, 2024
Design Media II 
Illinois Institute of Technology (MLA Program)

Review Juror | March 4, 2024
Exploring Installation and Exhibitions Seminar
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Review Juror | November 20, 2023
B.Arch Second Year Studio
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Lecturer “Photography, Documentation,
& Digital Media” | FALL 2023
iitdesignbuild
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Review Juror | March 9, 2023
Design Communications II
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Review Juror | December 1, 2022
Design Communications I
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Adjunct Faculty | Fall 2021
Design Communications I 
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Lead Instructor | Summer 2021
Experiment in Architecture
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Steering Committee Member | Spring 2020
Illinois Institute of Technology

Adjunct Faculty | Fall 2020 - Spring 2021
Design Communications I & II
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Lead Instructor | Summer 2020
Experiment in Architecture
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Round Table Facilitator | February 7, 2020
Camras Scholarship Symposium
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Guest Reviewer | December 13, 2019
Imagining Chicago’s Common Buildings
University of Chicago (BS.Arch Program)

Adjunct Faculty | Fall 2019 - Spring 2020
Design Communications I & II
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Lead Instructor | Summer 2019
Experiment in Architecture
Illinois Institute of Technology

Lead Instructor | Summer 2018
Experiment in Architecture
Illinois Institute of Technology

Panel Moderator | May 1, 2018
Fair Housing + Fair Lending Course
John Marshall Law School

Review Juror | April 23, 2018
B.Arch First Year Studio
Illinois Institute of Technology

Review Juror | November 29, 2017
B.Arch First Year Studio
Illinois Institute of Technology

Cloud Scholar Student Mentor | Fall 2017
Intro to Architecture
Illinois Institute of Technology (B.Arch Program)

Junior Mentor | Summer 2017
Project Pipeline 
I-NOMA

Guest Panelist | January 28, 2015
Destination Marketing 
Roosevelt University

Co-Presenter | November 6, 2014
Intro to Hospitality
College of DuPage

Guest Panelist | September 17, 2014
Destination Marketing
Roosevelt University