Clever copy. Clean design.
Clear results.
Over 25 years of experience crafting branding, marketing, and design that gets noticed—and gets results—fueled by Diet Coke and dad jokes.
Years of Experience
Puzzles Completed
/ about me
CREATIVITY IS my superpower
Hej, I’m Kari! I come from a family of artists—each creative in their own way, from knitting and interior design to carpentry, painting, and fine arts. I found my niche by blending a love for technology and art into a career focused on branding, digital marketing, graphic design, and web design.
Understanding both the past and present of marketing and design has allowed me to create work that not only connects but also converts—into measurable leads and increased revenue. I love a good challenge—especially if it comes with a tight deadline and a fountain Diet Coke!
My story began in St. Paul, Minnesota, where I’ve had a passion for art, design, and craft since day one. After earning a degree in marketing and advertising from Marquette University in Milwaukee, I moved to the heart of the Midwest—Chicago. There, I spent over two decades growing my career across multiple industries, including advertising, construction, hospitality, real estate, and technology. I’ve recently returned to my hometown of St. Paul with my Tibetan Terrier, Gordy, to be closer to family.
When I’m not in front of a computer screen, you’ll find me spending time with loved ones, competing in speed puzzle competitions, swimming, or hanging out with friends (and our dogs) outdoors.
Featured Projects
Here’s a snapshot of some of the projects I’ve had the pleasure of working on.
- All
- Brand
- Copy
- Design
- Social
- Strategy
- Website
folks I've worked with
For me, it’s never just about the project—it’s about understanding the person and their business. That connection leads to better work and often, a lasting friendship.
Former Boss, Current Freelance Client
Kari is the kind of leader you’re grateful to cross paths with in your career. She works alongside her team, truly “in the trenches,” earning respect through both her dedication and her example. She collaborates, advocates, and inspires. Kari challenges you to be better while offering honest, constructive feedback, and she is equally open to listening and learning from those around her. She holds a high standard for the work she and her team produce, and it shows. The teams, companies, and entrepreneurs fortunate enough to work with her benefit from her talent, strategic thinking, and sharp eye for design. Kari knows how to make an impression, and she goes the extra mile to ensure it. Working with Kari pushed me to grow as a well-rounded marketer. Her leadership inspired me to elevate my own skills, and her support made it possible to do so. She leads by example, celebrates wins, recognizes effort, and creates an environment where people feel valued. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside her.
Former Direct Report
Working with Kari on the Misty the Dog website was an absolute joy. From the start, she brought a keen artistic eye, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep understanding of our story’s emotional core. Her thoughtful suggestions helped shape a site that truly reflects the heart of our film. Collaborative, responsive, and fully invested, Kari ensured every element—from layout to typography to user experience—supported our vision. Thanks to her talent and dedication, we have a website our entire team is proud of. It beautifully captures the spirit of Misty and offers a warm, inspiring space for our audience to connect with the project.
Current Freelance Client
Kari has done a phenomenal job turning around project quickly on tight timelines. She has even come to our rescue on the weekends in order to meet a deadline. She is a pleasure to work with, is flexible and eager to please her clients. She is also detail oriented and doesn't miss a thing when reviewing the final product. She has great skills in design work and has made our conference posters align perfectly with our branding and color schemes. I would recommend Kari wholeheartedly for any project that you need a designers help with.
Freelance Client
Working with Kari set the gold standard for what a supportive team should feel like. When I was brand new to the working world at Gettys, she always had my back, made space for my questions, and helped me feel safe and confident. That kind of support stuck with me. I’ve since found another team that reminds me of working with Kari—collaborative, encouraging, and always looking out for each other. It made me realize just how much of an impact she had on me. Kari is truly a rock star, and I’m endlessly grateful for everything she did.
Former Direct Report
Kari’s marketing and communication skills are truly unmatched. She has an incredible ability to understand both the big picture and the fine details, which makes her strategic recommendations not only insightful but immediately actionable. We’ve seen a noticeable boost in our brand presence thanks to her guidance. The marketing tools and materials she’s created have been used across multiple platforms—from client presentations to digital campaigns—and they’ve consistently elevated the way we show up. Kari brings clarity, creativity, and a deep sense of professionalism to everything she does, and we’re lucky to have her in our corner.
Freelance Client
brand experience
Some of the brands I’ve worked with
Kari and I have worked together in several past (and present) lives and can say that I truly have been able to achieve greater success because of her talents. Her ability to transform vision into beautiful reality is remarkable- and she does this both by developing tools to manage the process but also the flawless creative that is her true differentiator. We have refined our working relationship to the point where she can anticipate the direction of a project before I have fully articulated it. Her passion and enthusiasm are contagious; she'll do whatever it takes to get things done. She is my secret weapon.