Courtney is an accomplished designer, leader, and mentor with over 12+ years of experience providing best-in-class creative solutions at scale that solve business problems, simplify the complex, and reach audiences through storytelling, data-driven strategy, and brand marketing excellence. Working for the biggest players in tech, media, and advertising, she explores new ways to evolve brand identity while keeping CX/UX top of mind. Mission driven, she aspires to inspire, foster a culture of inclusion, and create big impact in an ever-evolving competitive landscape.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

As someone who works at the intersection of brand, technology, and storytelling, I’m inspired by the creative innovation the Tellys spotlight each year.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

My first job in NYC was at a small software startup where I was responsible for product design, marketing design, and content design. I learned a lot from that experience but mostly discovered I am capable of far more then I realize when given artistic license and time to experiment.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

I am proud of all the rebrands I have lead, from small start ups to Fortune 500s. Each had it’s unique challenges but ultimately helped move the business forward.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

Education and advocacy for creative strategy, storytelling, and craft is essential, especially in the present moment.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

I look for work that demonstrates strong storytelling, distinctive and ownable creative elements, memorable messaging, relatable characters, premium execution, and thoughtful optimization.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

My role as an Art Director is dynamic and multifaceted. I help brands, agencies, and publishers establish, evolve, and elevate their brand identity across a multi-channel media landscape. With experience spanning both product and marketing design, I bring a holistic perspective that bridges brand storytelling, user experience, and business goals.

I also lead creative teams through concept, execution, and delivery for regional and enterprise campaigns while serving as a trusted partner to stakeholders, guiding brand decisions and delivering efficient, high-impact creative solutions.

My expertise includes branding and visual identity, product marketing, presentation and trade show design, digital advertising (OOH, SVOD, CTV, DCO, and display), web and social design, interaction and product design, event design, and commercial, editorial, and educational video production.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Learning new AI and API tools that support scale and velocity of creative production.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

Journaling and sketching gives my mind a place to rest and reflect while still being conscious in the present moment. I have been doing it since I was a child and find it very valuable to my creative process.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

My grandpa was an entrepreneur in marketing and grandma was an artist. This skipped a generation and as a result both my brother and I are exceptionally gifted both in business and the arts. As an adolescent I was a dancer, musician, writer, and artist. I knew I wanted to be in a profession where my skills in the arts would be valued and that is what brought me to art direction in the world of video advertising.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

Media has always reflected and shaped our culture but TV viewership and human behavior has changed overtime. One of the most significant shifts in the video and television industry is the move toward multi-platform, content-driven storytelling where audiences engage across streaming, social, and experiential formats simultaneously. Success increasingly depends on designing content ecosystems rather than standalone pieces, ensuring narratives and visuals can adapt across platforms while maintaining a cohesive brand voice. To navigate this, creative teams need to think systemically, building flexible creative frameworks that allow stories to evolve while remaining consistent and culturally relevant.