MERRITT
Creative strategist, designer, marketer, and lifelong maker who believes the best ideas happen when strategy and creativity get a little weird.
With a background in graphic design, photography, and more than 15 years in marketing, I’ve worked across nonprofits, startups, real estate, small businesses, and creative communities. I’m especially drawn to people who are building something of their own: artists, entrepreneurs, makers, musicians, and organizations trying to make a meaningful impact.
My approach combines big picture strategy with hands on creativity. I love taking an idea that feels messy or impossible and finding the thread that makes it make sense, then turning it into a brand, campaign, story, or experience people actually connect with.
I’m endlessly inspired by vintage design, printmaking, photography, color, community, and the wonderfully weird things that make people human. I believe marketing doesn’t have to feel soulless, and good design doesn’t have to take itself too seriously.
EXPERIENCE
Marketing Director
United Way of East Tennessee Highlands
Johnson City, TN
Marketing Manager
FoundersForge Entreprenuer Center
Johnson City. TN
Marketing Strategist
Century 21 Legacy
Tri-Cities / Smokey Mtn / Knoxville
Editorial Director
The Loafer
Johnson City, TN
Art Director
American Screen Designs + Hortson Sports Plus Printshops
Johnson City, TN
Creative Director
Old Towne Letterpress
Jonesborough, TN
Screenprinter / Press Operator
Gooder Labs LLC
Elizabethton, TN
Intern
Campnevernice & Pioneer House Letterpresses
Knoxville, TN
Marketing Director
06/2023-01/2025
- Led marketing and communications across four counties, overseeing social media, email marketing, video, branding, events, campaign strategy, and community outreach.
- Directed crisis communications during Hurricane Helene and supported long term recovery efforts across Carter, Cocke, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington counties, helping drive fundraising from $800K to more than $10M in 24 hours.
- Developed communications and performance reports to track campaign effectiveness, donor engagement, and community reach, using insights to inform marketing strategy and organizational decision making.
- Planned and promoted fundraising and community events, creating campaigns and storytelling initiatives that strengthened donor engagement and increased awareness of United Way’s impact.
- Delivered a keynote presentation to 1,700+ people, using compelling storytelling to connect audiences with the organization’s mission and community impact.
Marketing Manager
UNKNOWN DATES
• Co-developed and branded Startup Mountain Summit, establishing it as a primary revenue stream for the organization
• Designed and executed digital marketing campaigns,
• Creating branding and messaging regarding all events including Pitch Night, Spark Women, TriDev, FoundersMeetup, & the Pitch
• Managed all digital, social media, and print marketing
• Provided one-on-one marketing and branding consulting for high growth founders
• Created strategic initiatives, content, and events that strengthened the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem and connected founders with valuable resources and opportunities
Marketing Strategist
UNKNOWN DATES
• Managed marketing for 10 offices including social media, video, print, recruitment, and email campaigns
• Developed personalized marketing strategies for top agents
• Events
EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Master's in Digital Marketing
East Tennessee State University
2025-2026
BFA in Graphic Design
East Tennessee State University
2014-2017
ASA in Photography
Pellissippi State Community College
2012-2014
Fine Art Fundamentals
Watkins College of Art, Design, & Film
2010-2012