SUMMARY​

Creative and collaborative design professional with a strong background in brand storytelling, visual content creation, and cross-functional coordination. Skilled in crafting engaging visuals that communicate messages effectively, drive audience engagement, and align with strategic marketing objectives. Proven ability to lead and manage projects from concept through completion while ensuring brand consistency and high-quality results. Adept at managing freelancers and vendors, thriving in fast-paced environments, and bringing a sharp eye for detail to every project.

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EXPERIENCE

Photographer & Graphic Designer | Military Friends Foundation | 2023-Present

Supports the foundation’s initiatives by creating impactful visual content that honors military service and commemorates significant events. Ensures high-quality imagery and design align with the organization’s mission, providing families with lasting tributes.​​

• Photographs formal events including military funerals, with sensitivity and respect, capturing high-ranking government and military personnel while preserving the significance of each occasion.

• Designs and maintains website for families of the fallen, providing a catalog of photos from past ceremonies to honor and preserve their legacy.​

• Designs compelling collateral, event materials, and branded assets that engage donors and honors military service​.

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Owner, Photographer, & Graphic Designer | 2011-Present
Maia Kennedy Photography

Creative professional specializing in visual storytelling through photography and graphic design, delivering engaging content for marketing, branding, and promotional use.​​

• Works closely with clients and event coordinators to produce cohesive visual stories that align with project goals. Adapts to the unique requirements of each client, consistently delivering work that exceeds expectations.

• Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Lightroom, InDesign, Illustrator) to produce high-quality visuals that align with branding and storytelling objectives.

• Designs visually engaging content: promotional materials, social graphics, and event collateral, that align with organizational branding and campaign goals to enhance audience engagement.

• Manages multiple projects from concept to completion, ensuring deadlines are met while maintaining quality and brand consistency.

• Fosters strong client relationships through clear communication and timely project delivery, ensuring smooth operations and customer satisfaction.

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Senior Designer & Office Manager | 2011-2023
Pimsleur Language Programs, Simon & Schuster Audio

Designed print and digital collateral as part of the product as well as to disseminate information and promote the brand. Recognized for collaborative approach in leveraging team dynamics to enhance ideas and effectively solve problems. ​​

• Managed both creative and operational aspects of the business, including overseeing office operations, vendor coordination, and team support. 

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design and update creatives assets for marketing, packaging, and social media that effectively highlighted product attributes while maintaining brand consistency and strategy. Advocated for strategic design decisions that aligned with company objectives.

• Reviewed and refined creative assets and editorial content to enhance clarity, strengthen messaging, and ensure communication effectiveness.

• Managed and collaborated with freelancers and third-party vendors to meet project deadlines, fostering strong relationships and ensuring quality production while staying within budget and timelines.

• Developed digital assets and templates, creating a library of collateral to ensure content remained up-to-date, aligned with brand standards, and easily accessible for cross-departmental use.

• Coordinated with multiple departments to update creatives and content on the website, contributing to an improvement in user engagement and growth in online conversions.

• Designed and managed both B2C and B2B pages on the company website using a Content Management System (CMS) tool.

• Effectively managed office operations, handled bill payments and issue resolution. Resolved client and internal concerns with professionalism and empathy, ensuring issues were addressed promptly and communication remained transparent.

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VOLUNTEER WORK​

Lead Photographer, Graphic Designer, Social Media Designer, Website Designer, Committee Member | 2014-Present

Tough Ruck Marathon

Leads event photography, design, and engagement strategies to support the annual Tough Ruck marathon, organized in partnership with the Boston Athletic Association/Boston Marathon.​

• Contributes photography expertise, capturing important moments at events to chronicle and strengthen the organization's visual narrative.

• Facilitates communication and coordination with external photographers, orchestrating a photo crew to enhance a comprehensive documentation of events. Provides creative direction when needed.

• Develops engaging materials for social media and internal use, increasing visibility while encouraging and enhancing participation in the community.

• Designs and manages the organization’s website, curating and maintaining a comprehensive photo archive that showcases contributions from all photographers

• Collaborates on designing promotional materials, including live event signage, and refines messaging to support the organization’s fundraising initiatives and drive donor engagement.

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Collaborates with many other notable organizations and charities, contributing skills in photography and graphic design to support diverse missions:​

• Boston Bruins Foundation

• Carroll Center for the Blind

• Healing Heroes Foundation

• Runway for Recovery

• Massachusetts Run for the Fallen

• South Boston St Patrick’s Day Parade 

• The 100 Club of Massachusetts

• USS Massachusetts SSN-798 (Commissioning Committee)

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SKILLS​​

• Administrative: Document Preparation, Office Management, Scheduling, Vendor Coordination

• Client Support: Empathetic Customer Service, Recordkeeping, Process Coordination, Conflict De-escalation, Timely Follow-Up

• ​Creative: Content Development, Creative Direction, Print & Digital Graphic Design, Photo Editing, and Writing

• ​Photography: Ceremonies, Concerts, Events, Portraits (Studio & Outdoor), Sports

• Software: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom, Illustrator, Acrobat) & Microsoft Office

• Soft Skills: Adaptable, Collaborative, Detail-Oriented, Problem-Solving, Receptive to Feedback, Team-Building

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EDUCATION 

Bachelor of Science: Emerson College, Theatre Arts Management

Certificates: Emerson College, Website Design | Parsons-The New School for Design, Graphic & Digital Design