I am a design and brand strategy leader with 20+ years helping established companies and ambitious startups clarify their voice and stand out in competitive markets. I lead cross-functional teams to translate complex business goals into cohesive brand systems, integrated campaigns, and meaningful user experiences. I thrive where creative vision meets strategic execution, blending intuition with data and craftsmanship with the latest technologies to spark enduring brand impact. I’m a dedicated mentor who loves partnering with dynamic creatives, and I’m excited to collaborate with organizations shaping culture through bold, innovative work.…

Susan Maccargar

I am a design and brand strategy leader with 20+ years helping established companies and ambitious startups clarify their voice and stand out in competitive markets. I lead cross-functional teams to translate complex business goals into cohesive brand systems, integrated campaigns, and meaningful user experiences. I thrive where creative vision meets strategic execution, blending intuition with data and craftsmanship with the latest technologies to spark enduring brand impact. I’m a dedicated mentor who loves partnering with dynamic creatives, and I’m excited to collaborate with organizations shaping culture through bold, innovative work.…

Available to hire

I am a design and brand strategy leader with 20+ years helping established companies and ambitious startups clarify their voice and stand out in competitive markets. I lead cross-functional teams to translate complex business goals into cohesive brand systems, integrated campaigns, and meaningful user experiences.

I thrive where creative vision meets strategic execution, blending intuition with data and craftsmanship with the latest technologies to spark enduring brand impact. I’m a dedicated mentor who loves partnering with dynamic creatives, and I’m excited to collaborate with organizations shaping culture through bold, innovative work.

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Work Experience

Senior Brand Designer & Creative Strategist at SOLE SOURCE DESIGN
July 1, 2007 - Present
Empower a diverse portfolio of B2B and B2C clients by developing and executing tailored creative strategies aligned with unique business goals. Lead all phases of the creative lifecycle, from conceptualization and brand identity development to multi-channel campaign execution across digital, print, and experiential marketing. Serve as a strategic partner for clients, guiding them through brand transformations that have increased market share and enhanced brand recognition.
VP Communications / Creative Director at ROLLOVERSYSTEMS
July 1, 2003 - July 1, 2007
Spearheaded brand recognition initiatives that established market leadership for the first online Rollover IRA marketplace, connecting investors with top-tier financial institutions. Architected and managed a targeted communications strategy that captured a significant market share in a competitive $1B landscape, directly contributing to the company's acquisition. Led a creative team to produce high-impact B2B and B2C marketing collateral, including consumer database marketing and private-label campaigns that measurably increased customer engagement and conversion rates. Orchestrated high-impact trade events and speaking engagements, increasing the company's visibility and solidifying its reputation as an innovator in the financial services industry.
Design Director at ECMS ADVERTISING
August 1, 2001 - July 1, 2003
Championed client service and project management for a growing client roster, including national brands like Lowe's and Hospitality Mints. Directed the development and execution of print materials, photoshoots, and multimedia projects, ensuring consistent and elevated branding across all channels. Managed creative teams and external vendors, streamlining workflows to improve project turnaround time by 20% while maintaining high-quality standards.
Senior Graphic Designer at ETTAIN GROUP
September 1, 2000 - August 1, 2001
Delivered innovative creative solutions that enhanced brand presence and diversified product offerings for a rapidly growing tech start-up. Collaborated with Creative, UX/UI, and Sales teams to develop visually compelling concepts, playing a key role in securing major new accounts, including Lance Snacks and Muzak. Led projects from concept through completion, including visual identity, marketing collateral, custom photography, and early-stage online user experiences.
Graphic Designer at LENDINGTREE
December 1, 1999 - September 1, 2000
Collaborated with Executive and Marketing teams to refine a challenger brand that transformed the lending industry, supporting a successful IPO and growth into a multibillion-dollar market leader. Contributed to the iconic 'When Banks Compete, You Win' advertising campaign, which increased site volume by 300% and established LendingTree as a household name. Worked with cross-functional teams to develop a cohesive library of brand assets, significantly enhancing the company's visual identity and communication strategy across all business segments.
Senior Graphic Designer at ERNST & YOUNG
September 1, 1997 - December 1, 1999
Created award-winning content and visually compelling presentation materials for high-profile global clients, directly supporting major business pitches and client engagements. Crafted and maintained company-wide brand communications, ensuring exceptional quality and consistency across all marketing assets. Col​laborated with national creative services teams to streamline creative processes and improve interdepartmental workflow efficiency.
Proposal Coordinator at COMPASS GROUP
December 1, 1995 - September 1, 1997
Managed the full lifecycle of proposal development, ensuring submissions were compelling, cohesive, and aligned with complex RFP requirements, resulting in significant new business wins. Developed departmental best practices that shaped the content and creative approach for expanding Canteen Vending Services in North America.
Customer Service / Sales at POWERHOUSE COLOR
July 1, 1994 - October 1, 1995
Helped pioneer Charlotte’s first digital pre-press technology, providing crucial project management and customer support during a revolutionary shift in the design and print industry.

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Concentration in Graphic Design at UNC-Charlotte
January 1, 1990 - January 1, 1994

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Financial Services
    paper Portfolio: Visit solesourcedesign.com

    Curating for Impact: A Strategic Showcase
    A compelling portfolio is more than a collection of past work; it is a thoughtfully curated gallery of standout projects, each chosen with the audience in mind. At solesourcedesign.com, my portfolio acts as a dynamic showcase, highlighting strategic solutions and real-world impact. Each project is presented as a concise case study that outlines the client’s challenge, my strategic approach, the creative execution, and the tangible results achieved. This methodology aligns with the expectations of forward-thinking agencies and clients who value creative work that is not only beautiful but also drives business objectives.

    I was also featured by South Carolina Voyager as a Local Creative Hidden Gem, highlighting my creative journey and professional perspective. Please read the story here.