RESUME

OVERVIEW

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

Product development and merchandising professional with experience bringing licensed and branded home textile and consumer products from concept through production. Skilled in managing global licensing partnerships and aligning products with brand standards, market trends, and customer needs, while collaborating to translate brand direction into cohesive product collections through thoughtful design, storytelling, and seasonal development.

WORK EXPERIENCE

DOWNLITE INTERNATIONAL, Cincinnati, Ohio

Merchandise/Design Associate, May 2024 - Present

  • 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

  • Wrote, illustrated, and self-published an educational children’s book following a multi-state journey exploring geography, friendship, and adventure.

  • Plan and maintain a marketing and retail strategy, utilizing Meta Business Suite to schedule and optimize promotional campaigns using analytics to drive engagement and sales.

  • Research and secure participation in local vendor markets and community events, coordinate product placement in retail locations, and establish partnerships through targeted donations to increase brand visibility and community engagement.

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
Pet Product Development
Home Textiles & Bedding
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