meet my collaborators

A documentary filmmaker, Craig is the only man you’ll find on this page — and my longest collaborator. We started working together at The SEED Foundation in 2010 and haven’t stopped since. I’ve hired Craig as a full-time employee at two organizations and later partnered with him as a freelance videographer and photographer across numerous client projects. Today, we work together regularly on a couple of brand transformation projects. Find him here and on LinkedIn.

CRAIG Schattner 

Videography

Julie and I met through Shine & Rise, where an initial coffee conversation about solopreneurship quickly turned into a long-term collaboration. She led brand identity, creative direction, and website, and materials design for VoicesForBirth.org, shaping the visual foundation of the initiative. Since then, I’ve brought Julie in on projects for the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network and beyond. Find her here and on LinkedIn. 

Julie Cruz

Design and Creative Direction

Kari and I first worked together when she was the UX designer for LeadOutMap.org, an AI-powered tool predicting where lead pipes may exist nationwide, and later collaborated on a photography project for a SNAP EBT modernization initiative with the National Grocers Association Foundation. Originally I knew her for her UX design, but then soon learned Kari is equally talented in graphic design, creative direction, corporate photography, and LGBTQ photography. Find her here (design), here (photography), and on LinkedIn.

Kari PAine

Design and Photography

I was introduced to this Lansing-based designer via Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health. She was the print designer for a series of reports, advocacy materials, and fact sheets who worked creatively, iteratively and in record time for many months with me on VoicesforBirth.org. Find her here and on LinkedIn. 

Lainey Yehl

design

Kasia and I met at Burness in 2019, where we worked side by side for three years on Afterschool Alliance—me on strategy and writing, Kasia on design—across everything from advocacy materials to Times Square digital billboards. When I launched my own consultancy, she was one of the first collaborators I called for a project with The SEED Foundation. When we’re not working together, I’m usually admiring her illustrations. Find her here and on LinkedIn.

Kasia Burns

Design and Illustration

If you live in Ann Arbor, you may recognize Kim’s name as the co-founder of the new Cluster Museum or as a designer or teacher at a special event for Riverside Arts Center and Ann Arbor Arts Center. I’ve had the pleasure of working with this true creative and innate teacher through our work together at Invisible Engines since 2023. Find her here and on LinkedIn. 

Kim DeBord

Design

Linette is the humble powerhouse, founder and creative director behind Ypsilanti-based Invisible Engines. Linette and I have partnered on several projects for the Illinois Public Health Institute, National Grocers Association Foundation, Boise State University, PAMS.org, LeadOutMap.org by BlueConduit. When she’s not advancing social justice through design, Linette teaches creative writing at Eastern Michigan University. We’ve worked together closely since 2023. Find her here and on LinkedIn. 

Linette Lao

Design and Creative Direction

Megha and I met at Burness, where we worked together on numerous client accounts before continuing our collaboration in 2023 with the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network. I lead strategy and writing; Megha leads digital strategy, ad planning, and content creation. When not operating as a digital creator, or hosting the So…How Much Money Do You Make? podcast. Find her here and on LinkedIn.

megha Fernandes

digital content creation

Julie introduced me to Monjoa when we needed a videography partner for VoicesForBirth.org. In just six months, Monjoa and her team at Fako Media envisioned, shot, edited, and produced 15 videos for the initiative. Her ability to align policy goals, personal storytelling, and creative execution is exceptional. Find her here and on LinkedIn. 

Monjoa Likine

Videography and Photography 

Sarah and I met at the Water Hill Music Festival in Ann Arbor, became friends, and years later became colleagues. We now work together at Invisible Engines, where she is an unparalleled writer. While you won’t see her byline, Sarah is a ghostwriter for nonprofit executives, celebrities, and social justice leaders—and a New York Times bestselling author and college essay coach. Find her here and on LinkedIn. 

Sarah J. Robbins 

Writing

I was introduced to Olivia through her work with Culturebie (my first client) during a brief stint she spent living in Ann Arbor. Originally from Virginia (like me), Olivia has spent years working as a digital nomad, drawing inspiration from new cities and cultures. We’ve since collaborated on nearly a dozen projects for organizations including Commonality, Harbor Capital, and Generations United. Find her here and on LinkedIn.

Olivia Mortensen

Design

Introduced to me by Kari and Julie, Sumana served as the developer for VoicesForBirth.org while simultaneously completing her master’s in sustainability management at Columbia University and serving as a UN Fellow. A true multi-hyphenate, Sumana is a storyteller and project manager who, as she puts it, “just happens to know how to build websites too.” Find her here and on LinkedIn.

sumana Palle

Website development

● Grounded Optimism: Leading with clarity, steadiness, and possibility
● Translational Power: Making complex ideas clear
● Trust and Collaboration: Working alongside clients with trust and respect
● Messaging with Meaning: Communications in service of your mission
● Sustained Impact: Supporting strategy through execution

What guides our work...

these are our super powers!