CTS 18 Leadership Summit

ELICIA CONNER

Elicia discovered her interest in marketing early on, drawn to both design and the psychology behind what captures attention. That curiosity grew during her time at CSU, where she developed a passion for helping brands stand out and connect with the right audiences.

As an account coordinator, Elicia’s superpower is being a sponge. She thrives in fast-moving environments where there’s always something new to learn, and she’s always ready to jump in and support wherever needed.

Random facts: Elicia organizes her closet by color (no exceptions), is always on the hunt for a new recipe to master, and studied abroad in the UK (she’s already planning her return).

What others say about Elicia:
“She’s reliable and consistent in everything she takes on.”
“A true team player — always ready to step in and help.”

NATALIE DEALY

Natalie’s path to marketing started with a love for creative advertising — but it was her time in the fashion industry that really shaped her approach. While working on product strategy, she found herself most drawn to understanding customer behavior and using those insights to drive results.

As an account manager, Natalie blends strategy and execution, bringing a strong analytical mindset to every project. Her superpower is turning data into action: digging into the numbers, uncovering insights, and collaborating with teams to build thoughtful, effective plans from start to finish.

Random facts: Natalie loves a little healthy competition (especially if Settlers of Catan is involved), tracks her reading religiously on Goodreads, and will choose the outdoors whenever she gets the chance.

What others say about Natalie:
“A breath of fresh air — reliable, eager, and always bringing new ideas to the table.”
“Super organized and efficient, with thoughtful contributions to every team.”

CAROLINE VACANTE

Caroline’s path to marketing wasn’t exactly planned — an English major with a knack for organization, she took a chance on a social media internship and never looked back. While finishing her degree, she started working toward her CAPM certification and realized that project management was her sweet spot.

As a content project manager, Caroline keeps creative projects running like clockwork. She makes sure each one has what it needs, slots it into the right schedules, and shepherds it from kickoff to completion. And she does it all with a steady hand and a smile.

Random facts: When she’s not keeping projects on track, Caroline is at the barre — teaching ballet, taking class, and perfecting her fifth position. She’s also an avid reader and an expert in all things crafty, from knitting to embroidery. Drawing and painting? Not so much. (Her inner perfectionist won’t allow it.)

What others say about Caroline:
“She has a way of making things feel effortless — even when juggling a million moving pieces.”
“Caroline’s positivity is contagious. Every interaction with her brightens my day.”
“She’s sharp, adaptable, and always willing to step in wherever needed. A true team player.”

VIVIAN LOUSER

Vivian’s love for marketing sparked at age 16 during advertising casting calls. After appearing in two ads as an actor, she discovered her true passion lay behind the scenes. Watching concepts come to life and resonate with audiences captivated her, setting her on a path to becoming the marketing pro she is today.

As an account manager, Vivian thrives on juggling multiple tasks to ensure seamless communication and project delivery for clients. Her professional superpower? Seeing the full picture from the start of a campaign and spotting the details others might overlook. “The best part of this work is watching an idea evolve and connect with people — it’s a little like magic,” she says.

Random facts: Vivian loves weightlifting, experimenting with new recipes, and exploring music genres ranging from classical to country.

What others say about Vivian:
“She has a remarkable ability to see the whole picture and connect the dots others might miss.”
“She’s the person we turn to when there’s a challenge; her solutions are always innovative and practical.”
“Her calm and analytical approach to issues makes her an invaluable team member.”

ALISON LYONS

Alison followed her passion for graphic design into the world of marketing after dabbling in other industries and design types. For her, creating for advertising and marketing is the most exciting.

As senior graphic designer at Actualize, Alison’s superpower is wrangling complex long-form assets or crafting top-tier creative strategies. She feels lucky to spend her days being creative with a team of like-minded people — and wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Random facts: Alison’s been known to devour a book in a single sitting, pen poetry when inspiration strikes, and can often be found chasing the perfect sunset with her camera in hand. 

What others say about Alison:
“Alison is a talented designer with an incredible eye for detail. She’s always coming up with new ideas that push the boundaries and exceed expectations.”
“She’s focused, never misses a deadline, and constantly inspires the rest of the team — plus, she keeps us updated on the wildlife she spots outside her window!”
“Alison has a natural gift for design, and her innovative approach always makes her work stand out.”

LIZ BENNETT

Liz’s professional superpower is relevant to many of our clients: adapting to change.

You can see her appetite for evolution in her résumé: First, she spent 16 years in higher education, working with everyone from students to national policymakers. Then it was into marketing, which is where her love for telling stories and reaching people really took off.

Random facts: Liz loves roadside attractions and oddities. “My favorite day of sightseeing was in NYC and included the smallest piece of private property in New York and a laundromat with a secret pinball hall,” she says. She’s also taught yoga since 2015 and is this close to finishing her 500-hour advanced teacher training.

What others say about Liz:
“Liz is a smiling, welcoming presence who brings structure and organization to unwieldy projects.”
“No matter the issue or challenge, Liz’s can-do attitude, creative problem-solving, and general resilience helped us find a way forward.”

MADELEINE JOHNSON

Madeleine admits it: “I’ve always been a secret marketing lover.”

The affliction started with family grocery store trips, she says, which often ended with unnecessary purchases because of beautiful branding. Her marketing destiny took her to Kent State University to study visual communication design, and today, she loves solving problems visually for clients. “Ease with a splash of intrigue” is her design motto.

Random fact: Madeleine describes herself as essentially an outdoor cat: “I love playing with yarn, basking in fresh air, and eating little treats.”

What others say about Madeleine:
“Madeleine went beyond meeting our expectations and was incredibly easy and accommodating to work with.”

FALYN SEBASTIAN

The adage is true: once an artist, always an artist.

Falyn’s growth as a traditional artist allows her to influence visual communication and storytelling in various business contexts. Each day at Actualize, she collaborates on digital content that brings abstract ideas to life — give her a loose sketch, a good cup of coffee, and a funky playlist, and she’s set.

Random facts: Falyn was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawaii. She loves baking but is still learning to adjust recipes for her current Rocky Mountain altitude. And she loves to nerd out over washi tape and Asian stationery items. (Don’t ask her for a pen if you don’t plan to give it back, she says.)

What others say about Falyn:
“Falyn is very detail-oriented, yet she finds ways to think outside the box and isn’t scared to try something new even if it may not work out.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

KELCI UTECH

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.”

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.”

RYANNE ACKELSON

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.”

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.”

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 climbing up rocks, 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.”

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.

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.”