RESUME

OVERVIEW

PRODUCT DESIGN | PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT | MERCHANDISING | CONSUMER PRODUCTS | TEXTILES

Product design and development professional with experience managing products from concept through production. Skilled in product design, trend research, market analysis, merchandising, and cross-functional collaboration to develop innovative consumer products that align with brand identity, customer needs, and business objectives. Experienced in seasonal product development, product lifecycle management, and bringing creative concepts to market.

WORK EXPERIENCE

DOWNLITE INTERNATIONAL, Cincinnati, Ohio

Merchandise/Design Associate, May 2024 - June 2026

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conceptualize, prototype, and bring new hospitality bedding products to market, driving both company growth and customer satisfaction. Offerings are aligned with seasonal demands and guest preferences.

  • Develop competitive pricing strategies for products, ensuring optimal profitability while maintaining market competitiveness.

  • Attend key hospitality trade shows to promote company products, engage with potential clients, and build industry relationships, driving brand awareness and expanding market presence.

  • Continue product design and development for Home products under national brands Tommy Bahama and Pendleton Woolen Mills.

Product Designer, July 2021 - April 2024

  • Led the design and development of innovative new products under both national and private brands, ensuring alignment with market trends and customer needs.

  • Collaborated with both domestic and international sourcing and creative teams.

  • Managed the product design lifecycle, including tech packs, sample requests, PLM system updates, and factory communications.

  • Participated biannually in the NYC Home Market Show to showcase new product lines, engage with existing clients, and strengthen customer relationships.

  • Developed biannual line plans to create tailored product offerings for Good, Better, and Best customer segments, maximizing sales opportunities across diverse consumer demographics.

RIPPLE JUNCTION, Cincinnati, Ohio

Presentation Coordinator, September 2018 - June 2021

  • Collaborated with design and product development teams to create seasonal sales presentations featuring trending pop culture products, utilizing Adobe Creative Suite to produce visually engaging materials that supported sales and client presentations.

  • Regularly visited retail locations to analyze merchandising strategies and identify emerging product trends, providing valuable insights to optimize product assortment.

  • Boosted sales by tracking customer progress, proactively identifying and removing roadblocks, and maintaining clear communication with sales representatives to ensure timely follow-up and support.

  • Spearheaded a company-wide pet food and supply drive, coordinating logistics, outreach, and employee engagement efforts, resulting in signi cant contributions to local animal shelters and fostering a culture of corporate social responsibility.

BROWN DOG GOES LLC

www.browndoggoes.com

Owner/ Author/ Illustrator of Brown Dog Goes Book Series, October 2025 - Present

  • Designed, illustrated, and self-published an original children's book brand, developing engaging products that combine storytelling, educational content, and cohesive design.

  • Built and manage the Brown Dog Goes brand from concept to market, overseeing product development, packaging, marketing strategy, and retail merchandising to support sales and brand growth.

  • Develop and execute digital marketing campaigns using Meta Business Suite, analyzing performance metrics to optimize customer engagement and drive sales across online and in-person channels.

  • Research and secure vendor markets, retail partnerships, and community events, coordinating product merchandising and promotional initiatives to increase brand awareness and expand market reach.

CREATE DUDELS (IG: @Create_Dudels )

Illustrator, January 2016 - Present

  • Create custom pet portrait drawings using colored pencil, capturing the likeness and personality of each pet. - Donate a portion of proceeds to an animal rescue organization chosen by the customer.

  • Manage all aspects of the commission process, from client communication to final delivery of artwork.

SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN, Cincinnati, Ohio

Primary Garment Technician, September 2012 - September 2018

  • Measured patients and created custom post-surgery therapy garments to aid in recovery, ensuring proper fit and comfort.

  • Assisted in the fitting and adjustment of garments, providing ongoing support throughout the recovery process.

EDUCATION

Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio

Master of Business Administration

September 2009 - December 2012

University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design; Journalism Certificate

September 2004 - May 2009

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

  • Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Systems

  • Tech Pack Development

  • Product Specification Documentation

  • Digital Marketing & Social Media Platforms

  • Vendor & Production Communication Tools

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

FOUND HOUSE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK OF GREATER CINCINNATI INC

Pet Program Committee Member, May 2021 - September 2023; April 2024 - Present.

  • Committee member responsible for planning the annual Pawty Pawlooza fundraiser—coordinating sponsorships, securing donations, and managing event logistics including volunteers, T-shirts, and marketing efforts.

Pet Program Animal Care Volunteer, Sep 2016 - Present

MY FURRY VALENTINE

Event Volunteer, February 2015 - February 2024

  • Supported execution of an annual local pet adoption event by coordinating dog meet-and-greets, maintaining clean and organized interaction areas, and directing attendees to key locations (e.g., restrooms, check-out), ensuring a safe, welcoming, and efficient experience for guests and adopters.

CAMP YTILIBA/ SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN- CINCINNATI

Yearly Summer Camp Counselor, June 2013 - June 2018

  • Yearly Camp Counselor.

  • Contributed to the development of the 2017 T-shirt design by supporting concept creation, visual direction, and final design execution.

  • Assembled t-shirt orders and headed communication with corresponding vendor in 2017, 2018.

CINCINNATI ANIMAL CARE

Foster Parent, Dec 2021 - Present

  • Provide a short-term ‘unicorn’ foster home for dogs of various sizes, temperments and training levels.

CORE COMPETENCIES

  • Product Development

  • Product Design

  • Merchandising Strategy

  • Consumer Goods & Soft Goods

  • Product Development

  • Global Sourcing & Manufacturing

  • Vendor & Factory Communication

  • Tech Packs & Product Specifications

  • PLM Systems & Sample Management

  • Costing & Pricing Strategy

  • Packaging Development

  • Quality Assurance & Product Testing

  • Licensing & Brand Partnerships

  • Trend Analysis & Market Research

  • Cross-Functional Team Collaboration