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Leadership and Management Skills

 

Executive Decision-Making

Creative and Strategy Department Leadership

Brand Vision and Creative Direction

Innovation and Strategic Planning

P&L Ownership and Budget Oversight

Business Development and Growth

Client Acquisition and Retention

Change Development

Core Competencies

 

Brand Strategy

Communication Strategy and Naming

Brand Identity

Visual and Verbal Identity

Packaging and Portfolio Architecture

Digital
Brand Governance

Advanced Leadership Program

Omnicom University
(Harvard Business School)

Graduate, Advanced Leadership
2015-2016 

Professional Summary

Visionary and award-winning creative leader with extensive expertise in brand transformation, strategic design leadership, and engaging storytelling for global and emerging brands. Skilled in aligning creative vision with business goals to build brand equity, guide innovation, and create deeper consumer connection. Proven track record in leading creative rebrands and product launches for industry leaders in beauty, food & beverage, and CPG, while cultivating client partnerships and directing high-performing teams. Instrumental in building creative agencies, executing cohesive design strategies, and managing 360° brand experiences across packaging, brand campaigns, print, digital, video, and activations. Recognized for driving operational excellence and scaling creative output through strategic foresight and collaborative leadership.

Work Experience

  • Co-owner, Executive Creative Director

    Co-owned a forward-thinking brand design agency, leading high-profile global work across beauty, technology, wellness and financial services for global clients including Cynosure, AlianceBernstein, and GSK. Oversaw multi-disciplinary teams and drove profitability while aligning budgets with client goals to optimize resources and maintain high-quality work.
     

    Spearheaded high-profile creative and strategic initiatives for clients in brand identity, executing positioning, creative
    direction, and cohesive storytelling across packaging, print, advertising, digital, retail, social, and video touchpoints.
     

    Driving over $1M in account revenue, directed global rebranding of Cynosure, a leader in medical aesthetics, successfully launching 3 breakthrough product categories, and repositioned company for a major merger in 2024.
     

    Developed a three-year strategic vision for internal design function in collaboration with client Sanofi Global Healthcare and cross-funtional teams to enhance operational efficiency and align design output with business objectives.



  • Founder, Executive Creative Director

    Led brand strategy and creative execution, crafting distinct positioning and go-to-market strategies that drove 2 successful product launches and contributed to sustained growth. Cultivated robust partnerships with industry leaders like PepsiCo and Lonza to attain measurable brand impact by aligning creative initiatives with business objectives.

    Founded a boutique brand design agency and drove business growth by securing high-profile brand initiatives—including LifeWtr and SodaStream—and delivering innovative solutions for emerging CPG brands.

    Drove positioning, creative direction, and product launch for Seedly, supporting a 3x increase in retail presence across major platforms including Whole Foods, Wegman’s, and Thrive Market, positioning brand as an emerging leader in functional snacks.

    Developed and led a proprietary innovation workshop series for global biotech leader Lonza, fostering customer collaboration
    and identifying new product and sales opportunities that accelerated pipeline growth.



  • Executive Creative Director, Managing Director of New York

    Drove measurable client satisfaction and revenue growth by leading successful launch of New York satellite office for a global branding design agency. Fostered a culture of high performance and creativity, leading a multi-disciplinary team that consistently delivered exceptional results on complex branding challenges.

    Delivered a 20% profit increase within first year by implementing rigorous cost control strategies and enhancing operational efficiencies while exceeding revenue expectations.

    Maximized consumer engagement and market impact for clients like Lane Bryant, General Mills, HP, and Nike through innovative brand identity, activations, and packaging design executions.

    Secured a spot in Omnicom’s Senior Management Postgraduate Program with Harvard Business School, recognizing
    excellence in leadership and strategic presentation skills.



  • Executive Creative Director 2012-2014

    Creative Director 2011

    Delivered innovative brand identity and packaging solutions for high-profile clients like Revlon, Almay, Hillshire, Enfamil, and Rishi Tea to drive brand recognition and distinguish clients in market. Increased productivity, design practices, and efficiency by leading team of 10 across New York and San Francisco and implementing streamlined procedures and methodologies.

    Transformed agency services, culture, and creative standards by collaborating across departments to launch a bold vision while identifying new revenue streams and redefining organizational impact.

    Led global rebranding of Enfamil, refining design and storytelling and establishing unified brand guidelines to strengthen equity across international markets.



  • Global Creative Director

    Spearheaded launch of new services in brand architecture, strategy, and innovation at LPK, driving revenue growth and nurturing agency relationships with P&G. Achieved over $4M in annual revenue and exceeded account billing targets by 17% through successful global rebrand of P&G’s Olay brand, aligning its identity across APAC, Europe, Greater China, India, IMEA, LATAM, and North America. 

    Led global rebrand spanning 8 franchises and 2,000+ SKUs, shaping Olay’s packaging architecture and supporting $4B+ in worldwide sales across key markets.

    Led a cross-functional team of over 20 creatives across LPK’s global offices in Cincinnati, Western Europe, Singapore, and China, fostering collaboration and enhancing efficiency to deliver impactful, high-performing results.

    Created a 50+ page brand guideline to unify new global identity across seven regional markets and enhance brand
    consistency and equity.

  • My leadership style drives teams and clients to think and act beyond the boundaries of the conventional to achieve greater success together

    Cultural Ethos:
    Explore Daringly.

    Innovate Wisely.

    Achieve Beautifully.

Core Competencies

 

+ Organizational Leadership

+ Cross-Functional Collaboration

+ Team Management & Mentorship

+ Executive Stakeholder Alignment

+ Executive Presentation Skills

+ Brand Strategy & Architecture

+ Design Systems & Guidelines

+ Budget & Resource Management

+ Design-led Innovation

+ Visual Identity & Storytelling

+ 360° Brand Experience & Packaging Design

+ Campaign Development & Execution

Advanced Leadership Program

Omnicom University
(Harvard Business School)

Graduate, Advanced Leadership
2015-2016 

Kathy Soranno

Kathy Soranno

Executive Creative Director

Kathy Soranno

Executive Creative Director

Profile

 

As an Executive Creative Director and transformative leader, I excel in building and nurturing high-performing teams. My approach emphasizes strong partnerships and leveraging cutting-edge methodologies that drive significant business results. My dedication to crafting exquisite and impactful designs underscores my pursuit of beautiful outcomes in all endeavors. I have a proven track record of championing groundbreaking solutions that elevate organizational standards and deliver superior business results. I am eager to channel my extensive leadership experience into exciting new ventures.

Leadership and Management Skills

 

Executive Decision-Making

Creative and Strategy Department Leadership

Brand Vision and Creative Direction

Innovation and Strategic Planning

P&L Ownership and Budget Oversight

Business Development and Growth

Client Acquisition and Retention

Change Development

Core Competencies

 

Brand Strategy

Communication Strategy and Naming

Brand Identity

Visual and Verbal Identity

Packaging and Portfolio Architecture

Digital
Brand Governance

Advanced Leadership Program

Omnicom University
(Harvard Business School)

Graduate, Advanced Leadership
2015-2016 

Professional Summary

  • Led high-impact initiatives across notable branding and design agencies, significantly transforming business outcomes

    • Launched Hornall Anderson’s New York office as Executive Creative Director and Managing Director, achieving 20% profitability in the inaugural year
       

    • Led the global creative rebrand of P&G’s $4-billion Olay brand, developing and authoring
      a comprehensive 50-plus page brand guideline that united global offices and drove a
      20-plus% increase in agency revenue 
       

    • Directed the 2021 rebranding of Cynosure, repositioning it as a leader in beauty activism within medical aesthetics, catalyzing a strategic 2024 global merger
       

    • Revitalized Wallace Church by enhancing positioning, expanding service offerings, and
      elevating creative standards, significantly boosting national reputation.

  • Over 15 years of creative leadership, transforming major brands with strategic innovation, award-winning design, and pioneering methodologies
     

    • Accumulated over 50-plus prestigious design awards in a career spanning 25 years by blending strategic foresight with exceptional impactful design
       

    • Revamped workflows and boosted creativity at Wallace Church with innovative methodologies and creative performance reviews
       

    • Championed a dynamic, collaborative culture at Hornall Anderson New York, cultivating an elite, forward-thinking team adept at tackling complex brand challenges with limited resources, achieving a 40-plus% reduction in overhead costs
       

    • Successfully elevated design and unlocked new opportunities for major brands, such as
      PepsiCo, Olay, Target, Mead Johnson, and General Mills, as evidenced by increased year-over-year client engagement
       

    • Reinvented creative project workflows using cutting-edge tools like Figma and AI to streamline processes, reducing timelines and elevating client presentations
       

    • Expertly navigated storytelling, packaging, print, in-store, and digital platforms for the
      global rebrand of Enfamil significantly enhancing global brand cohesion and equity

    • Built Bamboo, a standout agency recognized by Graphic Design America as one of the Best and Brightest Design Firms, showcasing inspiring leadership 
       

    • Cultivated enduring partnerships with leading domestic and global brands such as Coke, 3M, Best Buy, and Target, demonstrating a strong ability to align client and stakeholder interests with standout creative vision
       

    • Led diverse teams across strategy, design, and copywriting, fostering a creative environment that synchronized goals, boosted collaboration, and elevated project deliverables

    Founder and leader of agencies in New York and Minneapolis, driving growth by aligning creativity and design with business excellence

Work Experience

  • Co-owner, Executive Creative Director

    Co-founded Courage The Agency, serving visionary C-suite leaders wanting to achieve substantial reward

    Brand Transformations: Directed strategic repositioning and rebranding for clients like Cynosure, Ozium, and Alliance Bernstein, leading to a high-profile merger and extensive retail expansions
     

    Strategic and Creative Leadership: For all client engagements, directed and led content creation while playing a key role in design, ensuring cohesive integration of strategy, messaging, verbal identity, and design
     

    Agency Visionary: Led agency marketing as the primary creator and author, serving as the lead strategist, designer, and copywriter, showcasing unparalleled versatility
     

    Business Consulting: Collaborated with Sanofi Global Healthcare to plan the future of their internal design department, optimizing tools and fostering creative excellence.



  • Founder, Executive Creative Director

    Founded Run Brand Run to pioneer innovative brand strategies for emerging brands

    Design & Brand Leadership: Led a multi-disciplinary team for Pepsi LifeWtr and SodaStream. Launched Miha Artisanal Foods and Seedly Snacks and repositioned Starion Energy, enhancing market presence and consumer engagement

    Proprietary Practices: Pioneered vital strategic and creative processes, the cornerstone of my philosophy across brand strategy, communication strategy, brand identity and innovation



  • Executive Creative Director, Managing Director

    Launched and managed Hornall Anderson’s New York office, overseeing recruitment, talent development, strategic vision, operations, and driving revenue growth

    Growth and Profitability: Instrumental in driving revenue growth and achieving over 20-plus% profitability in year one, underscoring management of operations during extreme cost-cutting
     

    360° Branding Expertise: Built strong partnerships with leading global brands, including PepsiCo, General Mills, HP, and Nike, to deliver innovative 360° brand experiences—such as packaging, activation, motion, video, structure, and in-store—that aligned with client's business objectives


    Cross-functional Management: Built and managed a multi-disciplinary team, including strategy, client services, design, and copywriting, across offices 


    Culture Building: Led top New York creative talent to foster a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture, achieving a 40-plus% reduction in overhead costs


    Leadership Recognition: Selected for Omnicom’s advanced leadership program with Harvard Business School, underscoring exceptional performance on a global stage



  • Executive Creative Director 2012-2014

    Creative Director 2011

    Led the creative transformation of Wallace Church, revitalizing culture and services

    Innovation: Implemented best-in-class creative, strategy, and naming methodologies, elevating standards and output
     

    Creative Management: Managed a team of 7 directors across San Francisco and New York, implementing new performance reviews and department structure
     

    Revenue Growth: Introduced new strategic and brand identity services and methodologies, driving additional revenue streams
     

    Design & Brand Leadership: Led high-profile global brand identity and packaging projects for renowned clients, including Pepsi, Revlon, Colorsilk, Hillshire, Enfamil, and Rishi Tea, driving brand recognition and market differentiation



  • Global Creative Director

    Led the global rebranding of P&G’s $4-billion Olay skincare brand, unifying the brand under one position and identity worldwide

    Global Brand Results: Led the successful global rebrand of Olay, transcending cultural nuances and aligning the brand identity across five key regional stakeholders across markets 
     

    Global Management: Directed twenty-plus creatives across the global team, demonstrating efficiencies gained with strategic alignment and enhanced processes 

    Agency Revenue Growth: Collaborated across agency functions to elevate design standards, generating significant improvements in billings and achieving over 20% year-over-year growth
     

    Innovation Expertise: Led significant new initiatives across brand architecture, global brand guidelines, and new expansion, helping build additional agency revenue streams

    dition to elevated design standards, collaborated with client services to generate over five million dollars in agency billings, resulting in a twenty-plus-percent year-over-year revenue growth, demonstrating an ability to drive business growth through strategic collaboration



  • Founder, Lead Designer, Creative Director

    Founded Bamboo, internationally recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Design Firms in the U.S. by Graphic Design America

    Industry Recognition: Attracted renowned brands like Coca-Cola, Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy, General Mills, 3M, Copco, Blue Q, D’Amico & Partners, and Schroeder, securing over fifty awards for client projects, demonstrating a dedication to exceptional design
     

    Team Leadership: Led cross-functional teams, including new business, account, design, and copywriting, to cultivate a collaborative culture and productive work environment 
     

    Design Excellence: Directed comprehensive design services, including packaging, brand identity development, structural design, and campaign development

  • My leadership style drives teams and clients to think and act beyond the boundaries of the conventional to achieve greater success together

    Cultural Ethos:
    Explore Daringly.

    Innovate Wisely.

    Achieve Beautifully.

Leadership and Management Skills


Executive Decision-Making

Creative and Strategy Department Leadership

Brand Vision and Creative Direction

Innovation and Strategic Planning

P&L Ownership and Budget Oversight

Business Development and Growth

Client Acquisition and Retention

Change Development

Core Competencies


Brand Strategy

Communication Strategy and Naming

Brand Identity

Visual and Verbal Identity

Packaging and Portfolio Architecture

Digital
Brand Governance

Advanced Leadership Program

Omnicom University
(Harvard Business School)

Graduate, Advanced Leadership
2015-2016 

Professional Summary

  • Led high-impact initiatives across notable branding and design
    agencies, significantly transforming business outcomes

    • Launched Hornall Anderson’s New York office as Executive Creative Director and Managing Director, achieving 20% profitability in the inaugural year
       

    • Led the global creative rebrand of P&G’s $4-billion Olay brand, developing and authoring
      a comprehensive 50-plus page brand guideline that united global offices and drove a
      20-plus% increase in agency revenue 
       

    • Directed the 2021 rebranding of Cynosure, repositioning it as a leader in beauty activism within medical aesthetics, catalyzing a strategic 2024 global merger
       

    • Revitalized Wallace Church by enhancing positioning, expanding service offerings, and
      elevating creative standards, significantly boosting national reputation.

  • Over 15 years of creative leadership, transforming major brands with strategic innovation, award-winning design, and pioneering methodologies
     

    • Accumulated over 50-plus prestigious design awards in a career spanning 25 years by blending strategic foresight with exceptional impactful design
       

    • Revamped workflows and boosted creativity at Wallace Church with innovative methodologies and creative performance reviews
       

    • Championed a dynamic, collaborative culture at Hornall Anderson New York, cultivating an elite, forward-thinking team adept at tackling complex brand challenges with limited resources, achieving a 40-plus% reduction in overhead costs
       

    • Successfully elevated design and unlocked new opportunities for major brands, such as
      PepsiCo, Olay, Target, Mead Johnson, and General Mills, as evidenced by increased year-over-year client engagement
       

    • Reinvented creative project workflows using cutting-edge tools like Figma and AI to streamline processes, reducing timelines and elevating client presentations
       

    • Expertly navigated storytelling, packaging, print, in-store, and digital platforms for the
      global rebrand of Enfamil significantly enhancing global brand cohesion and equity

    • Built Bamboo, a standout agency recognized by Graphic Design America as one of the Best and Brightest Design Firms, showcasing inspiring leadership 
       

    • Cultivated enduring partnerships with leading domestic and global brands such as Coke, 3M, Best Buy, and Target, demonstrating a strong ability to align client and stakeholder interests with standout creative vision
       

    • Led diverse teams across strategy, design, and copywriting, fostering a creative environment that synchronized goals, boosted collaboration, and elevated project deliverables

    Founder and leader of agencies in New York and Minneapolis, driving growth by aligning creativity and design with business excellence

Work Experience

  • Co-owner, Executive Creative Director

    Co-founded Courage The Agency, serving visionary C-suite leaders wanting to achieve substantial reward

    Brand Transformations: Directed strategic repositioning and rebranding for clients like Cynosure, Ozium, and Alliance Bernstein, leading to a high-profile merger and extensive retail expansions
     

    Strategic and Creative Leadership: For all client engagements, directed and led content creation while playing a key role in design, ensuring cohesive integration of strategy, messaging, verbal identity, and design
     

    Agency Visionary: Led agency marketing as the primary creator and author, serving as the lead strategist, designer, and copywriter, showcasing unparalleled versatility
     

    Business Consulting: Collaborated with Sanofi Global Healthcare to plan the future of their internal design department, optimizing tools and fostering creative excellence.



  • Founder, Executive Creative Director

    Founded Run Brand Run to pioneer innovative brand strategies for emerging brands

    Design & Brand Leadership: Led a multi-disciplinary team for Pepsi LifeWtr and SodaStream. Launched Miha Artisanal Foods and Seedly Snacks and repositioned Starion Energy, enhancing market presence and consumer engagement

    Proprietary Practices: Pioneered vital strategic and creative processes, the cornerstone of my philosophy across brand strategy, communication strategy, brand identity and innovation



  • Executive Creative Director, Managing Director

    Launched and managed Hornall Anderson’s New York office, overseeing recruitment, talent development, strategic vision, operations, and driving revenue growth

    Growth and Profitability: Instrumental in driving revenue growth and achieving over 20-plus% profitability in year one, underscoring management of operations during extreme cost-cutting


    Client Building: Fostered strong partnerships with leading global brands, including PepsiCo, General Mills, and Nike, to deliver innovative brand experiences aligned with clients business objectives


    Cross-functional Management: Built and managed a multi-disciplinary team, including strategy, client services, design, and copywriting, across offices 


    Culture Building: Led top New York creative talent to foster a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture, achieving a 40-plus% reduction in overhead costs


    Leadership Recognition: Selected for Omnicom’s advanced leadership program with Harvard Business School, underscoring exceptional performance on a global stage



  • Executive Creative Director 2012-2014

    Creative Director 2011

    Led the creative transformation of Wallace Church, revitalizing culture and services

    Innovation: Implemented best-in-class creative, strategy, and naming methodologies, elevating standards and output
     

    Creative Management: Managed a team of 7 directors across San Francisco and New York, implementing new performance reviews and department structure
     

    Revenue Growth: Introduced new strategic and brand identity services and methodologies, driving additional revenue streams
     

    Design & Brand Leadership: Led high-profile global brand identity and packaging projects for renowned clients, including Pepsi, Revlon, Colorsilk, Hillshire, Enfamil, and Rishi Tea, driving brand recognition and market differentiation



  • Global Creative Director

    Led the global rebranding of P&G’s $4-billion Olay skincare brand, unifying the brand under one position and identity worldwide

    Global Brand Results: Led the successful global rebrand of Olay, transcending cultural nuances and aligning the brand identity across five key regional stakeholders across markets 
     

    Global Management: Directed twenty-plus creatives across the global team, demonstrating efficiencies gained with strategic alignment and enhanced processes 

    Agency Revenue Growth: Collaborated across agency functions to elevate design standards, generating significant improvements in billings and achieving over 20% year-over-year growth
     

    Innovation Expertise: Led significant new initiatives across brand architecture, global brand guidelines, and new expansion, helping build additional agency revenue streams

    dition to elevated design standards, collaborated with client services to generate over five million dollars in agency billings, resulting in a twenty-plus-percent year-over-year revenue growth, demonstrating an ability to drive business growth through strategic collaboration



  • Founder, Lead Designer, Creative Director

    Founded Bamboo, internationally recognized as one of the Best and Brightest Design Firms in the U.S. by Graphic Design America

    Industry Recognition: Attracted renowned brands like Coca-Cola, Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy, General Mills, 3M, Copco, Blue Q, D’Amico & Partners, and Schroeder, securing over fifty awards for client projects, demonstrating a dedication to exceptional design
     

    Team Leadership: Led cross-functional teams, including new business, account, design, and copywriting, to cultivate a collaborative culture and productive work environment 
     

    Design Excellence: Directed comprehensive design services, including packaging, brand identity development, structural design, and campaign development

  • My leadership style drives teams and clients to think and act beyond the boundaries of the conventional to achieve greater success together

    Cultural Ethos:
    Explore Daringly.

    Innovate Wisely.

    Achieve Beautifully.

Leadership and Management Skills

 

Executive Decision-Making

Creative and Strategy Department Leadership

Brand Vision and Creative Direction

Innovation and Strategic Planning

P&L Ownership and Budget Oversight

Business Development and Growth

Client Acquisition and Retention

Change Development

Core Competencies

 

Brand Strategy

Communication Strategy and Naming

Brand Identity

Visual and Verbal Identity

Packaging and Portfolio Architecture

Digital
Brand Governance

Advanced Leadership Program

Omnicom University
(Harvard Business School)

Graduate, Advanced Leadership
2015-2016 

Leadership and Management Skills

 

Executive Decision-Making

Creative and Strategy Department Leadership

Brand Vision and Creative Direction

Innovation and Strategic Planning

P&L Ownership and Budget Oversight

Business Development and Growth

Client Acquisition and Retention

Change Development

Core Competencies

 

Brand Strategy

Communication Strategy and Naming

Brand Identity

Visual and Verbal Identity

Packaging and Portfolio Architecture

Digital
Brand Governance

Advanced Leadership Program

Omnicom University
(Harvard Business School)

Graduate, Advanced Leadership
2015-2016 

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