I’m a creative leader who loves building brands that connect through thoughtful design and strategy. At SmartBear Software, I lead Brand Design and Creative Operations, guiding a global team and overseeing everything from digital campaigns to large-scale company events. I focus on driving creative excellence through collaboration, data, and smart systems that help ideas come to life efficiently. With data always at the center of design, I treat each project as an opportunity for learning. I was able to achieve a 368% increase in engagement by reimaging our approach to LinkedIn content. For an earlier ABX campaign, I was awarded with the company’s Most Impactful Demand Program Award for visuals that doubled click-through rates and increased influenced form fills by 2500 percent. I also introduced a new review and workflow process I introduced improved quality and cut revision time across the team. Mentorship has also become a central part of my work. I take pride in helping designers grow their skills and confidence, and was especially proud when one of my team members earned SmartBear’s Curious Award for her work on an AI-driven campaign. Before SmartBear, I led creative for national wine and spirits brands at Latitude Beverage Company, managed photo and video shoots, and ensured brand consistency across digital, retail, and advertising channels. Earlier in my career, roles at NIC+ZOE and Craft Brewers Guild helped me develop a strong foundation in storytelling through design. I’m passionate about fostering creative teams that balance vision and execution, embrace emerging technology, and always keep curiosity at the center of their work.

Melissa Blenkhorn

I’m a creative leader who loves building brands that connect through thoughtful design and strategy. At SmartBear Software, I lead Brand Design and Creative Operations, guiding a global team and overseeing everything from digital campaigns to large-scale company events. I focus on driving creative excellence through collaboration, data, and smart systems that help ideas come to life efficiently. With data always at the center of design, I treat each project as an opportunity for learning. I was able to achieve a 368% increase in engagement by reimaging our approach to LinkedIn content. For an earlier ABX campaign, I was awarded with the company’s Most Impactful Demand Program Award for visuals that doubled click-through rates and increased influenced form fills by 2500 percent. I also introduced a new review and workflow process I introduced improved quality and cut revision time across the team. Mentorship has also become a central part of my work. I take pride in helping designers grow their skills and confidence, and was especially proud when one of my team members earned SmartBear’s Curious Award for her work on an AI-driven campaign. Before SmartBear, I led creative for national wine and spirits brands at Latitude Beverage Company, managed photo and video shoots, and ensured brand consistency across digital, retail, and advertising channels. Earlier in my career, roles at NIC+ZOE and Craft Brewers Guild helped me develop a strong foundation in storytelling through design. I’m passionate about fostering creative teams that balance vision and execution, embrace emerging technology, and always keep curiosity at the center of their work.

Available to hire

I’m a creative leader who loves building brands that connect through thoughtful design and strategy. At SmartBear Software, I lead Brand Design and Creative Operations, guiding a global team and overseeing everything from digital campaigns to large-scale company events. I focus on driving creative excellence through collaboration, data, and smart systems that help ideas come to life efficiently.

With data always at the center of design, I treat each project as an opportunity for learning. I was able to achieve a 368% increase in engagement by reimaging our approach to LinkedIn content. For an earlier ABX campaign, I was awarded with the company’s Most Impactful Demand Program Award for visuals that doubled click-through rates and increased influenced form fills by 2500 percent. I also introduced a new review and workflow process I introduced improved quality and cut revision time across the team.

Mentorship has also become a central part of my work. I take pride in helping designers grow their skills and confidence, and was especially proud when one of my team members earned SmartBear’s Curious Award for her work on an AI-driven campaign.

Before SmartBear, I led creative for national wine and spirits brands at Latitude Beverage Company, managed photo and video shoots, and ensured brand consistency across digital, retail, and advertising channels. Earlier in my career, roles at NIC+ZOE and Craft Brewers Guild helped me develop a strong foundation in storytelling through design.

I’m passionate about fostering creative teams that balance vision and execution, embrace emerging technology, and always keep curiosity at the center of their work.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Manager, Brand Design & Creative Ops at SmartBear Software
April 1, 2025 - Present
Directly manage a global team of graphic designers across multiple time zones; lead large-scale creative projects (including events like the annual sales kickoff); oversee creative request intake and project management with cross-functional collaboration, delivering 98% of projects on or ahead of schedule; drive data-driven design evolution through feedback and metrics. Transformed visual approach for key LinkedIn campaigns, resulting in an average 368% increase in engagement via multi-frame carousel posts; advocate for ethical AI use to reduce production times and fill internal creative gaps.
Brand Design Manager at SmartBear Software
April 1, 2025 - October 8, 2025
Directly managed and coached graphic designer; implemented new creative review processes to improve quality and visibility across the Creative team; improved project management by integrating Trello into workflow and establishing regular creative standup meetings.
Senior Graphic Designer at SmartBear Software
March 1, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Established a new visual direction for ABX display ads, resulting in a 2x increase in CTR and a 2500% increase in influenced form fills. Won SmartBear’s 2023 Award for Most Impactful Demand Program, recognizing a campaign that delivered a high volume of qualified leads and had a significant impact on attributable pipeline.
Senior Graphic Designer, Art Direction at Latitude Beverage Company
May 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Maintained a consistent brand experience across OOH advertising, retail store displays, and web for a national wine and spirits brand; managed junior designer and freelance resources; directed photo and video shoots in collaboration with external teams; managed creative budgets and timelines.
Graphic Design & Visual Assistant at NIC+ZOE
November 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Collaborated with the lead designer on creative execution for a national clothing brand to establish a cohesive brand presence across web, social media, print, and in-store channels.
Graphic Designer at Craft Brewers Guild
January 1, 2017 - October 8, 2025
Created original design themes for printed marketing collateral supporting off-premise and on-premise campaigns for a wide range of national beer brands.
Manager, Brand Design & Creative Ops at SmartBear Software
April 1, 2025 - Present
Directly manage a global team of graphic designers across multiple time zones; lead large-scale creative programs including the annual sales kickoff from concept to execution; oversee creative request intake and project management; drive cross-functional collaboration and deliver 98% of projects on or ahead of schedule; drive data-driven design evolution; transformed LinkedIn campaigns with multi-frame carousel posts increasing engagement by 368%; advocate ethical use of AI under company guidelines to reduce production times and fill internal gaps.
Brand Design Manager at SmartBear Software
April 1, 2025 - October 8, 2025
Directly managed and coached graphic designer; implemented new creative review processes to improve quality and visibility across the Creative team; introduced Trello-based workflow and regular creative standups to improve efficiency and reduce revisions.
Senior Graphic Designer at SmartBear Software
March 1, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Established new visual direction for ABX display ads, resulting in a 2x increase in CTR and a 2500% increase in influenced form fills; recognized with SmartBear’s 2023 Award for Most Impactful Demand Program for delivering high-quality QLs and significant pipeline impact.
Senior Graphic Designer, Art Direction at Latitude Beverage Company
May 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Maintained a consistent brand experience across national wine and spirits touchpoints, from large-scale OOH to retail displays and web; directly managed and mentored junior designer and freelance resources; art direction for photo and video shoots; managed creative budgets and timelines.
Graphic Design & Visual Assistant at NIC+ZOE
November 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Collaborated with lead designer on creative execution for a national clothing brand to create a cohesive brand presence across web, social media, print, and in-store channels.
Graphic Designer at Craft Brewers Guild
January 1, 2017 - October 8, 2025
Created original design themes for printed marketing collateral for both off-premise and on-premise sales for a wide range of national beer brands.
Manager, Brand Design & Creative Ops at SmartBear Software
April 1, 2025 - Present
Manager, Brand Design & Creative Ops: Directly manage a team of global graphic designers across multiple time zones, fostering skill development and creative growth. Lead large-scale creative projects, including the annual sales kickoff, from concept to execution while delegating tasks among collaborators. Oversee creative request intake and project management, facilitating cross-functional collaboration and delivering 98% of projects on or ahead of schedule. Proactively seek feedback and metrics to drive data-driven design evolution. Transformed visual approach for key LinkedIn campaigns, resulting in a 368% average engagement increase via multi-frame carousel posts. Evangelize ethical AI use for creatives under company guidelines to reduce production times and fill internal creative gaps.
Brand Design Manager at SmartBear Software
April 1, 2025 - October 8, 2025
Brand Design Manager: Directly managed and coached graphic designer who earned SmartBear’s 2024 Curious Award for her AI-focused go-to-market work. Implemented new creative review processes to improve quality and visibility across the Creative team, significantly reducing revisions. Improved project management by introducing Trello into workflow and establishing regular creative standups.
Senior Graphic Designer at SmartBear Software
March 1, 2024 - October 8, 2025
Senior Graphic Designer: Established new visual direction for ABX display ads, resulting in a 2x increase in CTR and a 2500% increase in influenced form fills. Won SmartBear’s 2023 Award for Most Impactful Demand Program, delivering a high volume of QLs and significant pipeline impact.
Senior Graphic Designer, Art Direction at Latitude Beverage Company
May 1, 2022 - October 8, 2025
Maintained a consistent brand experience at every touch point for a national wine and spirits brand, from large-scale OOH advertising to retail displays and web. Directly managed and guided junior designers and freelance resources. Art direction and styling for photo and video shoots, in collaboration with external teams. Managed creative budgets and timelines.
Graphic Design & Visual Assistant at NIC+ZOE
November 1, 2018 - October 8, 2025
Collaborated with lead designer on creative execution for a national clothing brand to create a cohesive brand presence on web, social media, print, and in-store.
Graphic Designer at Craft Brewers Guild
January 1, 2017 - October 8, 2025
Created original design themes for printed marketing collateral for both off-premise and on-premise sales for a wide range of national beer brands.

Education

BFA at Massachusetts College of Art & Design
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025
BFA at Massachusetts College of Art & Design
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025
BFA Graphic Design at Massachusetts College of Art & Design
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025

Qualifications

Most Impactful Demand Program Award - SmartBear
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025
Curious Award - SmartBear
January 11, 2030 - October 8, 2025

Industry Experience

Software & Internet, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Other, Consumer Goods, Manufacturing