Our People - Actualize Marketing

TAYLOR BRAINARD

For Taylor, marketing is a competitive sport. Her high school DECA chapter handed out cool trophies and stayed at a fancy hotel every year, so she decided to give it a try. Turns out she is pretty good at it and has dominated in competitions ever since. But trophies aren’t the only thing Taylor collects. She also has an impressive collection of fridge magnets and is the proud owner of Snickers, the world’s largest Pomeranian.

What does Taylor love most about marketing? The people, of course! She says: “Everyone who works in marketing is this perfect mix of strategic and creative. It makes the job so fun when you work with such sharp, funny people.”

What others say about Taylor:
“Taylor has a very sharp eye for detail, so I always tell people to put their ‘Taylor goggles’ on when reviewing anything before sending it over to clients. Her attention to the little things is one of the reasons she gets such big results.”

EMMA HAWKINS

Emma knew she wanted to work in publishing and media, so she started her career as a sales assistant at an online food magazine. Intrigued by the work of the graphic designers at the company, she took the next logical career step: She went from buying ads to designing them.

People who know Emma well, like her twin sister, know she’s obsessed with getting the details just right. She channels her passion for perfection into her design work and jumps at the chance to take something and improve it by making it more beautiful or usable. Emma can’t get enough of her pets either and shares her home with a beagle puppy named Pepper and a tuxedo cat named Milo.

What others say about Emma:
“Emma has the rare ability to come up with amazing, out-of-the-box concepts and then clearly describe her design ideas in really compelling language. Her ability to use both images and words to communicate complex, interesting ideas is an asset to her clients and her team.”

BRIANNA PINTAURO

Bri finds great satisfaction in seeing a project through from conception to execution. “I love the process of starting from scratch and building out entire concepts and campaigns around one idea, then seeing the story unfold in the real world,” she says. And she owns the whole process. Her own story took her from Graphic Design to Advertising Design at the Art Institute of Dallas and on into the agency world: the perfect place for tapping into the psychology behind design (which she finds fascinating) and exercising her combo left-brain/right-brain.

Random facts: When you ask Bri what she does for fun, live music, hiking, and freediving will be at the top of the list. She’s always happiest when outdoors, underwater, or listening to music. She’s also a proud dog mom: Nala and Cooper are her whole world — they go everywhere with her (except underwater?).

What others say about Brianna:
“Brianna is a born go-getter, leader, and motivator. Not only is her energy and enthusiasm contagious, she is truly one of the most positive and optimistic people you will ever come across on a personal or business level.”
“Brianna is a very results driven marketing professional. She works well under pressure and always presents a positive can-do attitude. She seeks to understand challenges and proactively works to deliver solutions.”

ASH VOGLER

“Call me the builder,” Ash says. It’s as good a description as any for what she does here. She builds emails, webpages, and blogs. She creates social media posts by the dozens.

All of this makes sense because Ash is a creator at heart. Outside her marketing job, she’s also an author with one book, “Refill,” published in 2021 and several other manuscripts on the way. “Whether it’s stories or visual art, creativity has always been part of me,” she says, “and it’s cool to get to apply that at my job.”

Ash earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship — a “jack-of-all-trades degree,” as she puts it — and was drawn to marketing because it’s such an interesting storytelling medium.

Today, clients appreciate her ability to make things accessible and easy to understand. She can de-jargon and re-energize any project or piece of content she touches — helping all parties involved get the most from the story.

Random facts: Ash is an avid video gamer and enjoys learning how to code and develop her own games. She likes to draw and 3D model, too. When she steps away from digital creations, you’re likely to find her hiking or crushing a workout.

What others say about Ash:
“Ash has great instincts. She picks up on things quickly and has a fine eye for detail.”
“You are the most driven person I know.”

SHELBY MONTROSS

She’s been a busy graphic designer since high school, when she landed an internship with Colorado State University, and her day to day now includes her Actualize job, assorted sports leagues (for herself as well as her two kids), and the many duties of parenthood.

It’s no wonder clients commend her for her organizational skills.

“I enjoy seeing the work I started, the finished project or product, and the outcome it produces,” Shelby says. Carrying projects from conception to completion is her superpower, and she’s even keen on the laborious — but rewarding — process of letterpress printing.

All of which put her right at home here.

Random facts: Shelby played soccer at CSU and is still an avid athlete. She also has a twin sister who lives in Fort Collins, and the two regularly get confused for each other. We’re pretty sure it’s always been the real Shelby showing up to the office.

What others say about Shelby:
“Shelby’s attention to detail is spot-on, as are her conception, design, and organizational skills.”

KELLIE SHUCK

Kellie’s gateway into marketing was through social media and events, and although she applied for her first marketing gig on a whim, she quickly discovered that it’s her calling. She has a knack for building great client relationships, seeing challenges from multiple perspectives, and helping everyone to think outside the box.

When she isn’t working, Kellie is usually at music performances, exploring the outdoors, or hanging with her best friend — her Australian shepherd, Hutch.

Random facts: Kellie is strangely obsessed with Taco Bell and is a voracious collector of vinyl records. She hopes to one day have an entire room devoted to records and getting lost in the music.

What others say about Kellie:
“Kellie has worked on both the creative and account management teams, giving her unique perspective with clients. She is charismatic, empathetic, and will not stop until her clients’ visions come to life.”
“Kellie is gregarious, effervescent, and vivacious. She always looks for the good in everything, faces challenges head-on, and loves to make her clients and teammates laugh.”

KELCI JOHNSON

Kelci was a marketer before she knew what marketing was. As a young kid, she showed her entrepreneurial side through lemonade stands, managing
coffee orders at Christmas gatherings, and musing about how design connects to psychology and human behavior. Now that she’s made a career out of marketing, she’s confident she’s landed in the right place.

Today, Kelci says she enjoys the day-to-day of account management — particularly the challenge of managing various clients and complex processes. “What I’ve loved most so far,” she says, “is watching a client breathe a breath of fresh air when our work is being done. You see a weight lift off their shoulders a bit.”

A Louisiana native, Kelci seeks great coffee wherever she travels and likes to entertain her Colorado coworkers with stories of seeing alligators (literally) in her childhood backyard.

Random facts: Kelci grew up by a bayou in Louisiana, and the fall is her favorite time of year. Although her coffee habit is rather sophisticated (she looks for local roasters and regional flavors), she definitely isn’t above enjoying a pumpkin spice latte.

What others say about Kelci:
“Kelci is radiant — she loves people well, is an initiative taker, strives to constantly grow, and never stops learning. She’s also resilient and leans on her solid foundation of her faith to keep her grounded.”

RYANNE WALLENCHECK

RyAnne took a chance on an advertising internship and fell in love with the fast-paced, client-centered job of account management. She is an organizer par excellence and will gladly talk your ear off about the virtues of color coding (Leslie Knope would be proud.).

“I love being able to help clients look like rock stars,” she says. This sometimes includes helping clients perceive what they really need, not just what they assume they need. Most clients value this skill highly.

When not at work, RyAnne thrives on dog snuggles, baking, and hiking around Colorado.

Random facts: RyAnne’s reputation as a baker is widely known. She also grew up in small-town New Mexico, where she learned to drive a tractor before she learned how to drive a car.

What others say about RyAnne:
“She has never met a stranger; she could probably talk to a wall, and in a good way.”
“No matter how big or small the task, RyAnne will roll up her sleeves and get it done.”

KYLE SENIOR

Kyle dove into marketing during his years at Boise State, intrigued by the field’s “ability to combine technicality with creativity” and excited about its dynamic potential. “I love that it’s so everchanging,” he says. “It means you never stop learning.”

At work, Kyle’s a resourceful problem-solver who enjoys thinking out of the box to find creative solutions. As someone who loves to learn and solve problems, he enjoys being in a role where he’s responsible for gathering information and getting it where it needs to go to make the most impact.

Random facts: When he’s not working, Kyle’s usually enjoying the mountains, strumming a guitar, or watching his favorite sports teams lose.

What others say about Kyle:
“Kyle’s work is always top-notch. There is no question that when he commits to something it will get done.”
“Kyle works diligently to learn more about the skills he already knows well, while also seeking out opportunities to continue learning.”

IAN POWERS

Ian has been honing his digital marketing skills for years. Working with clients is a huge driver for his motivation and energy, and he loves the constant rush of new information that comes with the agency world. Digital account management (specifically, building trust in client relationships) is his superpower. And it shows: Ian takes investing in relationships seriously, making it easy for clients to get to know him, and making working with him effortless.

Random facts: Besides his obsession with managing data and relationships, Ian’s also obsessed with road cycling. “I use it almost as my meditation,” he says. “I’m also a serial hobbyist — my latest venture being in home kombucha-brewing.” And if you needed any more proof of Ian’s love of learning: In his past life, he taught himself French and moved to Bordeaux to be a tennis instructor, teaching only in French.

What others say about Ian:
“Ian has a strong work ethic, creative mind, problem-solver attitude, and a is great collaborator.” Personally, some of my best client interactions have been tag-teaming new projects, ideation, or troubleshooting with Ian.”

MADISON BICKLER

Madison is a strong marketer because she loves “finding what matters in all the information.” Almost any client can relate to that need, and Madison delivers clarity and direction when it counts.

She is also a master of many skills. What started as studies in journalism and business led to internships or roles in content creation, digital marketing, media management, and more. Today, Madison manages social media, web content, emails and landing pages, data analysis, and marketing automation. She loves variety and the day-to-day problem-solving that comes with this work.

Random facts: Madison has a “strange fascination” with Canada, eh. She also likes photographing other people’s animals, even though she has none of her own.

What others say about Madison:
“We call Madison ‘Radar’ [like the character from ‘MASH’]. She catches things that we miss and is always a step ahead.”
“Madison is a solid mix of concrete and creative.”

JUSTIN COATS

A California native, Justin honed his craft at Texas Christian University as a Graphic Design major with a minor in Business. During undergraduate studies, Justin also joined the leadership of several nonprofit and faith-based groups. He cut his teeth at agencies in CA, TX, and FL as a designer, illustrator, and photographer.

These days, Justin is supporting the Actualize team in producing great work — and enjoying all that Colorado has to offer.

Random facts: Justin is a total sports nerd who loves Jesus and relentlessly seeks adventure and creativity.

JESSICA EMMETT

In high school, Jessica landed a marketing position at HP where she was exposed to their supporting ad agencies. When it was time to pick a college major, marketing was the natural choice. She’s inspired by the words of none other than Yoda: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

As co-founder, Jessica loves strategically having fewer clients so we have the time and ability to truly dive in and learn all about them. The most rewarding part? “Our clients feel more like co-workers, like we’re all part of one big team, making great marketing work happen.”

Random facts: Jessica can blow you out of the water at a game of Connect Four. And she’ll never ever get sick of the Avett Brothers. Best. Band. Ever.

What others say about Jessica:
“She always has a great attitude and a smile on. No matter what happens.”
“Her marketing strategy acumen is impressive and always on-point. I’m never not learning from Jessica.”
“I love Jessica’s working style. She always communicates and collaborates first, but then fully trusts you to get the job done – how you want. It’s the best of both worlds.”

GREG KNOLL

A communication design major in college, Greg has always been a visually creative person and loves art and design. Music continues to be a daily inspiration for him, and tries to live by the words of his college department chair: Strive to be a generalist. Be pretty good at everything.

As co-founder of Actualize Marketing, Greg’s main goal for the agency is to focus on doing great work for a small number of clients. He says, “What’s not to like about drawing pictures for a living and working with fun people who know what they’re doing?” (Answer: nothing.)

What others say about Greg:
“The man is a machine. He sits and cranks out amazing creative, and then he sits and does it some more. Occasionally he stands.”
“He will always take the time to do it right the first time – even if we don’t have the time.”
“Greg is fast, efficient, and it shows that he’s truly passionate about what he does. And his music taste can go from Snoop to Shania without skipping a beat.”

DILLON McELWAINE

A true Coloradan through and through, Dillon was born and raised in Northern Colorado, and graduated from CSU. And now joining Actualize, he’s come back to his roots in Fort Collins. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

After more than a decade at a previous agency, Dillon is excited to do things differently at Actualize. His favorite thing about the agency is that the team is always willing to go the extra mile, and because of that, everyone can relish in our clients’ successes.

Random facts: He loves Mountain Dew, can dominate a game of Ping-Pong, and is pretty pumped for summer boat rides with the Actualize crew on Horsetooth Reservoir.

What others say about Dillon:
“Failure is never an option with him. There is always a way.”
“Dillon is probably the most naturally business-savvy person I’ve ever met. Getting stuff done quickly and accurately is all he knows.”
“He appreciates hard work. And he’ll never let it go unnoticed.”

KRISTEN ALMGREN

Kristen grew up in Missouri, and continued her Midwest adventures in college where she went to the University of Iowa for communications. She broke into the marketing world nearly ten years ago, and has loved it since day one.

At Actualize, Kristen is excited to finally do marketing the way it should be done — with small, nimble teams that act as an extension of our clients’ marketing department, bringing more value to the table with better work.

Random facts: She can’t go a day without her pup, Louie, loves jammin’ out to some Dr. Dog, and will likely crush you in a game of Catch Phrase.

What others say about Kristen:
“Clients love her — as they should. She never misses a beat.”
“Her phenomenal attitude can get you motivated, excited, and take you to the finish line. She really believes we’re all in this together.”
“Kristen doesn’t just act like she’d drop everything for her clients; she lives it, and truly does if needed.”

SARAH DIAMOND

Sarah started in print and digital ad production, so she’s an expert in how different businesses use advertising to their advantage — or disadvantage. A strategist at heart, she devours analytics and understands what really makes digital campaigns succeed.

Her favorite part of the day-to-day is solving problems. She says even something as simple as a blurred image on a website can impact a campaign’s performance, and she’s got an eye for all the little things that can have big effects.

Random facts: Sarah basically lives off of Diet Coke and coffee. But good coffee.

What others say about Sarah:
“Sarah’s attention to detail sets her apart. She always seems to see what others have missed, and any campaign she touches is better off for it.”
“Sarah masters new skills quickly — and eagerly.”

EMILY BEDENKOP

Emily is a journalist-turned-marketer, and she loves this field because it lets her apply the persistence, attention to detail, and clear thinking she practiced in her earlier studies. She’s an expert at making sense of complicated materials or projects — making her an ideal digital account manager.

She also enjoys being the advocate for the customer, which is fitting, since so much of Actualize’s work involves optimizing the customer experience.

Random facts: Emily’s first foray into the West came via a three-month road trip, in which she and her partner lived out of their car and got to know Colorado through hiking its wild spaces. She’s also a podcast junkie, always searching for fun facts and intriguing stories.

What others say about Emily:
“Emily is super organized, and we never have to worry once a project is handed off.”
“She gets involved with passion projects beyond the day-to-day to help make the company a better place.”

CHRISTY MALTBY

Christy is a native of the Kansas plains but has settled into her adoptive state of Colorado in stereotypical fashion with her 1.25 Subarus and inability to relay directions without mountain references. She earned her BA in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.

Christy has worked in industries that ranged from retail to telephony and in numerous capacities such as customer service and project management. Actualize is unlike any place else that she has ever worked; the atmosphere of collaboration and “doing it the right way” is obvious and the good of the client is truly a priority.

Random facts: She is a self-defined veloci-reader, averaging 200 books read per year, and has a bucket-list goal of filling a car with blown-up balloons.

JORDAN TREVOR

Jordan’s heart for animals is what got her into marketing. While working at vet clinics, she dipped her toes into social media campaigns … and the rest is history.

Today, she loves the variety of projects and clients at Actualize, and she was drawn here in part because she wanted a close, personal team environment. She enjoys applying marketing tactics across industries and audiences, always with an eye toward optimizing their performance.

Random facts: Jordan still has a passion for equine sports medicine, and she loves riding and caring for her horse Chance.

What others say about Jordan:
“Jordan brings a great deal of passion and light-heartedness to the job, with a true desire to meet goals set out in front of her.”
“Jordan brings new and creative energy to the social media team with fun and inclusive ideas.”

ERIK SCHMIDT

Erik was a magazine editor and got a master’s in creative writing before he joined the agency world. This gives him a creative eye that he can apply to even the most technical of topics.

At Actualize, he loves applying his research background to projects in technology, healthcare, and aviation. What he loves most about this work, he says, is that every assignment gives him a chance to learn.

Random facts: In February 2020, Erik’s first book, “Black Tulip: The Life and Myth of Erich Hartmann, the World’s Top Fighter Ace,” was released by Casemate. He’s working on book #2 now. He also grew up on a baseball diamond and was a pitcher in college.

What others say about Erik:
“Erik is the Swiss army knife of writers. He can do anything you put in front of him.”
“Erik is the kind of person you always want to have in the room. He is an ideas person with a practical way of thinking.”

CAITLIN NICHOLS

Caitlin found marketing by accident. Following her love of language and writing led from the class-room to copyediting, to federal grants, and finally, the agency world. She thinks of her approach to marketing writing as a lot like writing traditional poetry: deliver a clear and powerful central message following strict structural rules. It’s not simple — that’s why it’s fun.

Her favorite part of the job is seeing her copy out in the wild on the internet. She said she feels super satisfied to know the client is happy and the words she strung together are out there doing their job.

Random facts: Caitlin is a big fan of the Blue Ridge Mountains, feels most comfortable at work with three beverages around (coffee, water, and a wild card), and has to desperately fight the urge to pick up snakes by the tail like Steve Irwin every time she sees one in the woods.

What others say about Caitlin:
“Caitlin has a natural understanding and ability to apply marketing strategy to increasingly complex clients. She has an incredible eye for detail but does not lose sight of overarching goals or objectives.”
“[Caitlin’s writing] makes people want to listen … working with her is easy, productive, and a great learning experience!”

KATHRYN SMITH

Kathryn got into writing in the way many writers do: Someone was desperate for a helper who could string a good sentence together, so Kathryn stepped in — and found that she had a knack for it. She stuck with it, and here she is.

She had an interesting path getting here, first working as a nurse at a city emergency department and aboard a Japanese cruise ship. “One night,” she remembers, “I had to accompany two ailing patients to shore on a Japanese Coast Guard boat. My ship couldn’t wait for me to come back, and I couldn’t legally carry the ship’s oxygen tanks back on public transportation, so I had to take a $2,800 cab ride to meet my ship at the next port.”

As you can imagine by now, Kathryn’s superpowers include staying cool under pressure and helping others stay focused on what matters. Always important traits in a writer. And a nurse. And everything else.

Random facts: Kathryn adores ‘90s hip hop and is currently scheming about how to move to a Greek isle. She also soaks up random facts and trivia — and she might even audition for “Jeopardy” someday.

What others say about Kathryn:
“Kathryn is a true team player. She’ll bend over backward to make sure the job gets done, and she’ll somehow make it fun and easy along the way.”
“When everything goes off the rails and gets really chaotic, Kathryn gets calmer.”

RACHEL McCLURE

Yes, Rachel is that person who copyedits news stories and restaurant menus just for fun. That’s because it’s her superpower.

Her copyediting and writing experience spans many fields, and she loves marketing because it gives her access to different types of clients and deliverables. At home under tight deadlines and strange requests, she appreciates being at Actualize because of the variety and pace of jobs that come her way.

Random facts: Rachel has been skydiving three times (all prior to having kids, she notes). She and her husband also quit their jobs, hopped in a fifth wheel camper with two young boys, and traveled the country for seven months.

What others say about Rachel:
“Rachel’s job demanded an extremely high level of accuracy and attention to detail. She performed with excellence and never once dropped a ball.”
“She brings an uncommon amount of grace and poise to everything she does.”

KATE HOMME

Kate was born and raised in Colorado Springs, and ventured up North to attend Colorado State University. She started off studying mechanical engineering and architecture, but eventually moved onto graphic design — and still applies her love for creating things daily.

At Actualize, Kate loves that she’s always encouraged to learn and better her design knowledge. She joined the team for their philosophy: create great work and do our best rather than simply calculating hours. Biking to work and the local breweries doesn’t hurt either.

Random facts: Kate dominates “geek trivia” — especially when prizes are involved, can’t get enough of Neil Gaiman, and is undeniably the best at picking the longest lines… anywhere.

What others say about Kate:
“Kate’s the ultimate figurer-outer. Give it to her and it will be done — like magic.”
“Her ability to jump into projects and create something awesome quickly isn’t something you see in every designer.”
“She’s an incredibly fast learner, has a great eye for design, and is crazy detail-oriented.”

JAKE COLLINS

Jake got into marketing as a means to turn his hobby/passion of graphic design into a career. Every day since then, he’s worked to become a better designer and a better team member.

A master of many design skills, Jake creates work across the spectrum of clients and deliverables. For him, even modest social media graphics represent chances to push himself and grow.

Random facts: You can catch Jake playing adult church league softball in the summertime, and he’s a self-proclaimed coffee snob.

What others say about Jake:
“It’s very rare to get someone of Jake’s talent level. He has advanced a plethora of marketing materials [for our team].”
“One of Jake’s best qualities is his attention to detail.”

GIOVANNA VARTULI

Giovanna is a graduate of Colorado State University, where she not only studied Graphic Design but also minored in Business Administration. With these skills combined, her fit in the marketing world makes for enjoyable work and exceptional results.

As a lover of learning, Giovanna especially enjoys the variety of the work that comes her way, from bigger projects to tiny ones, from digital to print. This opportunity to constantly learn and try new things is one of the highlights of her role in the Actualize team.

Random facts:

• Giovanna is an avid theatregoer
• She is obsessed with her family’s Italian food
• Making lists is one of her favorite activities

What others say about Giovanna:
“Giovanna’s friendly, upbeat personality makes her a delight to work with.”
“One of Giovanna’s strongest qualities is her ability to look at something — be it a situation, a concept, or a design — from multiple perspectives to bring a fresh approach.”

LIFE’S SHORT.
Work with great people.

JESSICA EMMETT

GREG KNOLL

DILLON McELWAINE

KRISTEN ALMGREN

KATE HOMME

MADISON BICKLER

EMILY BEDENKOP

TAYLOR BRAINARD

JUSTIN COATS

JAKE COLLINS

SARAH DIAMOND

EMMA HAWKINS

KELCI JOHNSON

RACHEL McCLURE

CAITLIN NICHOLS

BRIANNA PINTAURO

IAN POWERS

ERIK SCHMIDT

KYLE SENIOR

KATHRYN SMITH

GIOVANNA VARTULI

ASH VOGLER

RYANNE WALLENCHECK

LIFE’S SHORT. Work with great people.

JESSICA EMMETT

GREG KNOLL

DILLON McELWAINE

KRISTEN ALMGREN

KATE HOMME

MADISON BICKLER

EMILY BEDENKOP

TAYLOR BRAINARD

JUSTIN COATS

JAKE COLLINS

SARAH DIAMOND

EMMA HAWKINS

KELCI JOHNSON

RACHEL McCLURE

CAITLIN NICHOLS

BRIANNA PINTAURO

IAN POWERS

ERIK SCHMIDT

KYLE SENIOR

KATHRYN SMITH

GIOVANNA VARTULI

ASH VOGLER

RYANNE WALLENCHECK

LIFE’S SHORT.
Work with great people.