I am a creative leader, product developer, and marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience spanning fashion, consumer products, brand strategy, and community engagement. My background includes over a decade as Creative Director and Product Developer for BANDED, where I led the full product lifecycle from concept through production and launch. I designed and developed fashion accessories, athleisure-inspired products, knitwear, performance fabric collections, and textile patterns, translating creative concepts into production-ready products through hand sketching, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and detailed technical specifications. I worked closely with domestic and international manufacturing partners on sourcing, material development, fit considerations, quality control, and product execution while managing timelines, budgets, and vendor relationships. In addition to product development, I directed brand campaigns, photoshoots, merchandising strategies, and retail partnerships, helping secure placement with major retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, Whole Foods, and Publix. My experience has given me a strong understanding of consumer trends, product positioning, and how thoughtful design translates into successful commercial products. Today, as Marketing & Community Outreach Manager for Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, I continue to lead strategic storytelling, brand development, digital marketing, and community engagement initiatives. This role has strengthened my ability to connect with audiences, build meaningful relationships, and create mission-driven communications that inspire action. What excites me most about this swimwear brand is the opportunity to combine my product development expertise, understanding of performance and lifestyle markets, creative vision, and brand-building experience to help grow a company that is creating products women love to wear. I thrive in entrepreneurial environments where collaboration, innovation, and a strong connection to the customer drive both product and business success.

Maarika Mann

I am a creative leader, product developer, and marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience spanning fashion, consumer products, brand strategy, and community engagement. My background includes over a decade as Creative Director and Product Developer for BANDED, where I led the full product lifecycle from concept through production and launch. I designed and developed fashion accessories, athleisure-inspired products, knitwear, performance fabric collections, and textile patterns, translating creative concepts into production-ready products through hand sketching, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and detailed technical specifications. I worked closely with domestic and international manufacturing partners on sourcing, material development, fit considerations, quality control, and product execution while managing timelines, budgets, and vendor relationships. In addition to product development, I directed brand campaigns, photoshoots, merchandising strategies, and retail partnerships, helping secure placement with major retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, Whole Foods, and Publix. My experience has given me a strong understanding of consumer trends, product positioning, and how thoughtful design translates into successful commercial products. Today, as Marketing & Community Outreach Manager for Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, I continue to lead strategic storytelling, brand development, digital marketing, and community engagement initiatives. This role has strengthened my ability to connect with audiences, build meaningful relationships, and create mission-driven communications that inspire action. What excites me most about this swimwear brand is the opportunity to combine my product development expertise, understanding of performance and lifestyle markets, creative vision, and brand-building experience to help grow a company that is creating products women love to wear. I thrive in entrepreneurial environments where collaboration, innovation, and a strong connection to the customer drive both product and business success.

Available to hire

I am a creative leader, product developer, and marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience spanning fashion, consumer products, brand strategy, and community engagement.

My background includes over a decade as Creative Director and Product Developer for BANDED, where I led the full product lifecycle from concept through production and launch. I designed and developed fashion accessories, athleisure-inspired products, knitwear, performance fabric collections, and textile patterns, translating creative concepts into production-ready products through hand sketching, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and detailed technical specifications. I worked closely with domestic and international manufacturing partners on sourcing, material development, fit considerations, quality control, and product execution while managing timelines, budgets, and vendor relationships.

In addition to product development, I directed brand campaigns, photoshoots, merchandising strategies, and retail partnerships, helping secure placement with major retailers including Walmart, Walgreens, Whole Foods, and Publix. My experience has given me a strong understanding of consumer trends, product positioning, and how thoughtful design translates into successful commercial products.

Today, as Marketing & Community Outreach Manager for Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky, I continue to lead strategic storytelling, brand development, digital marketing, and community engagement initiatives. This role has strengthened my ability to connect with audiences, build meaningful relationships, and create mission-driven communications that inspire action.

What excites me most about this swimwear brand is the opportunity to combine my product development expertise, understanding of performance and lifestyle markets, creative vision, and brand-building experience to help grow a company that is creating products women love to wear. I thrive in entrepreneurial environments where collaboration, innovation, and a strong connection to the customer drive both product and business success.

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Work Experience

Marketing & Community Outreach Manager at Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky (HONK)
January 1, 2025 - Present
Lead integrated marketing and communications strategy to expand donor engagement and community outreach. Partner with executive leadership to refine brand voice and execute multi-channel campaigns aligned with organizational goals. Manage social media, email marketing, CRM systems, website design, fundraising communications, and fundraising event management & promotion. Develop strengths-based storytelling & video for donor communications, grants, and public-facing campaigns.
Creative Director at BANDED Together (banded2gether.com)
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2025
Directed brand strategy, researched trends, led creative campaigns, and cross-functional collaboration across wholesale and licensed product lines. Designed licensed collections for The Ohio State University and the U.S. Army. Led design, sourcing, and production for national retail partners including Publix, Whole Foods, Walgreens, Cracker Barrel, and Walmart. Oversaw PR initiatives, social media strategy, visual direction for web and catalogs, and national & international market presentation through team collaboration. Supported GIVE BACK initiatives contributing to 14.2M meals through mission-driven branding: 1 Product Purchased = 3 Meals to a Child in Need.
Educator at Metro Nashville Public Schools
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2011
Created inclusive classroom environments emphasizing communication, engagement, and community partnership. Built foundational expertise in presentation, curriculum development, and relationship-centered communication.

Education

BFA at O'More College of Design
January 11, 2030 - June 4, 2026
BS at Cleveland State University
January 11, 2030 - June 4, 2026

Qualifications

Ninja Selling — Installation & Relationship-Building Business Development Training
January 1, 2025 - June 4, 2026
Real Estate Pre-Licensing Coursework
January 1, 2025 - June 4, 2026
AFPA — Plant-Based Nutrition Certification
January 1, 2025 - June 4, 2026
Pink Lotus Yoga — 200 hrs YTT
January 1, 2025 - June 4, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Non-Profit Organization, Education