I live in Bend, Oregon. Say hi at kelly.wright@me.com

I love the pitter-patter of rain on my roof after spending 20 years in Portland, Oregon, falling asleep next to my big dog, the silence of the trees on a snowy ski run, the laughter of my kids, spontaneous sunny trips—with SPF 50 on my face—and exploring grocery stores in faraway places. These experiences fill me with feelings. Feelings of peace, warmth, safety, joy, curiosity, and goodness.

This is why I enjoy creating work that makes people feel things. Whether it makes you laugh, makes you less mad, or offers a fresh thought, the feelings I convey are at the heart of my work. Emotions bring a brand to life, making it more relatable and authentic- I'm most passionate about this!

I have experience working in small and large agencies, on the client side, and with technology and start-up firms, primarily in design, branding, and advertising. On the client side, I collaborated with heart surgeons to develop a brand aimed at fundraising, using philanthropy to support research and innovation. On the agency side, I worked with Rory McIlroy to get more kids to golf. Additionally, I developed the creative strategy for Travel + Leisure's Best Airport during a $2 billion expansion, focusing on maintaining goodwill despite the construction.

I have led branding efforts for leadership retreats for lululemon employees, designed infographics to assist with the technology to eliminate landmines in Ukraine, and produced videos to provide meals for hungry children. Additionally, I have contributed to projects for Tom Brady’s new role at FOX SPORTS. I've created social media content for FinTech and SaaS companies and developed brand guidelines for startups and established brands like Google, Nike, and Jay-Z. Throughout my career, I have designed 8,572 presentations using Keynote, Google Slides, PowerPoint, Figma, and InDesign; I even created one in Word.

Leading is central to my professional ethos. I have built and led teams while leveraging my vast network to keep projects on track. This approach has resulted in successful outcomes and fostered a collaborative and innovative work culture. I have received awards throughout my career, but the most important aspect has been the profound lessons I have learned.

Being openhearted is essential for being a kind and wise leader. Building a strong brand and creating a sense of community around the work involves consistently executing small, concrete actions effectively. This includes being curious about others, disagreeing without damaging relationships, revealing vulnerability at an appropriate pace, being a good listener, knowing how to ask for and offer help, making everyone feel welcome, and viewing things from another person's perspective. These qualities distinguish me as a creative maker and leader, as I see the big picture and leverage everyone’s talents to create work we are passionate about.