RESUME

STRATEGIC CREATIVE LEADER | CREATIVE DIRECTOR  | COPYWRITER

CAREER FOCUS 
I’m a marketing professional, creative director and writer who leads and elevates multi-million dollar brands and large-scale campaigns through standout creative outputs that drive measurable growth. I direct high performing creative teams through end-to-end creative production of large-scale advertising initiatives, spearheading brand transformations that increase engagement, strengthen market position, and resonate with diverse B2B and B2C audiences. Adept at balancing big-picture vision with detail-driven execution, my outputs result in business growth, market differentiation, and sustained brand equity.

EXPERIENCE

2025 FREELANCE MARKETING + CREATIVE DIRECTOR | COPYWRITER

Consultant: various clients Creative + brand leadership: driving new campaigns, brand initiatives, projects and video shoots. I partner with clients to uncover strategic opportunities, craft meaningful stories and execute marketing intiatives that connect humans and brands.

2018-2025                           ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Publicis Groupe                      Partner with clients to define marketing/advertising strategies and brand opportunities; lead and execute 50+ advertising projects and craft meaningful brand stories that drive growth and strengthen market position; lead teams through campaigns and video shoots; manage and mentor direct reports; rebranding or branding new businesses from the ground up; seeking out ways to strengthen existing briefs or projects, innovate on deliverables, or improve daily processes; uncover new marketing and brand opportunities. +$1M in new biz: Astellas, GSK, Gilead, AbbVie.

2016-2018                               ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR

FCB Chicago                            Partner with clients and cross-functional teams to develop strategic, insight-driven marketing and branding initiatives. Lead high-level creative teams from concept to execution, ensuring strategic brand consistency across all deliverables. Mentor and manage teams, strengthen processes, and proactively uncover new opportunities to innovate, solve problems and promote brand and business growth.

2010-2016                               SENIOR COPYWRITER 

Leo Burnett                              Digital copy for Altria; Samsung Pay pitch: +$2M in new biz

Critical Mass                            Site launch, apps, brand refresh: USAA, Miami Travel, Moen, Skippy PB, Harley Davidson

ULTA Beauty                            Branded product copy, web, social, emails, ads for InStyle & Seventeen 

Various freelance                    Hyatt Hotels, Walgreens, Ace Hardware, Aura Foods, Sears, H2O+

2006–2010                             COPY EDITOR + PROJECT MANAGER                                                       

JAK Graphic Design                 I wore many hats at my first agency gig: managed all aspects of                                      
B2B marketing programs: creative: copywriting, image search; project management; legal comms; client comms; client travel 

EDUCATION  MA: English, Elmhurst College   |   BA: English, Illinois State 

SKILLS  Copywriting | Branding | Campaign | Creative Strategy | Concepting | Problem-solving | Team-building 

CAREER DEVELOPMENT Second City Storytelling Course | Brand New Conference |  
IPG Mentoring for Success | YouTube Unskippable Day at Google NYC | The 3% Conference | NWI Elite Networking

HOBBIES  Hiking ∙ Foodie ∙ Yoga ∙ Travel ∙ Meditation ∙ Growth mindset/Self-improvement ∙ Connecting with humanity
Built my very own personal brand in the craft beverage space: brand partnerships, storytelling, influencer media, events + speaking engagements, fundraiser initiatives: beerbabejess.com  |  @beerbabejess  |  craftbeer.com 

Highly conceptual, incredibly brilliant, energetic leader, and a rarified talent — these words only begin to scratch the surface of who Jess is and what she brings to the creative process. -Nik | Hyatt Hotels

Absolutely one of the smartest and most talented copywriters I’ve worked with or hired. She has been vital when it comes to pushing big ideas forward and providing thoughtful creative and copy direction to team members to take work to the next level. Jessica is one of the rare gems in the creative industry and I would work with her again in a heartbeat. -Sam | Hyatt Hotels + Pretty Lethal Designs

Jess is the kind of creative leader you dream of working with. Not only is she incredibly talented and innovative, but she’s also kind, compassionate, hardworking, and an exceptional teammate. -Alex | Razorfish Health

Jess is one of the most level-headed people I’ve had the pleasure of running a team with. She has a graciously calming presence and way of coaching and encouraging team members that would get us through anything and everything. We did it all together—shoots, concepting, hard conversations, switching teams, building teams, client relations, the whole nine. She is a pillar of wisdom and strength. -Rachel | Digitas Health