Networking Happy Hour + Matchmaking for Creative Freelance Conference & InHOWse Managers Conference


Find new talent to fill-in or augment your current creative staffing needs. In this Saturday evening networking session, in-house managers will connect with a wide range of talented professionals from across the country. Make a valuable face-to-face connection, review portfolios and pick-up some business cards.

Even if you don’t have an immediate need for freelance help, now is the time to find the resource for when you need them! 

Read on to learn more about the people you will meet:


Nick Matarese
I have a high expertise in print and branding for sports with a growing strength in web. Some clients I have worked with are Adidas, Brute Wrestling, Neuedge Sportswear, Endeavor Sportswear, University of Delaware, Backside 5, and more. Sports are my specialty, but I try not to pigeon-hole my business so I have also done far opposite work with lingerie companies and even baby toy branding.

Christy Fuston
Fuston Creative specializes in strategic branding and graphic design for corporate clients in the health, wellness, and fitness industries. I help clients build a strong brand image to attract their ideal customers, and I thrive on helping clients whose products or services empower people to live healthy, active lives. Prior to starting Fuston Creative, I worked for 12 years as an in-house designer/art director, so I understand the processes, needs, and challenges that clients face.

Andrea Brody
I design marketing materials for non-profits, the arts and educational organizations. I am experienced in a wide range of projects (annual reports, brochures, press kits, invitations, event signage, etc.) and have the knowledge to maintain a consistent brand message. My clients say that I make their jobs easier and that I “get them.” For more than 10 years I have been providing high quality service and creative design solutions, often under tight deadlines. With my creativity and attention to detail, I offer a collaborative partnership where your ideas and input are brought to fruition, on time, on budget and with great results. Now that you know a little about me, I’d be delighted to have you stop by so I can learn about you.

Brett Tomczak
Armed with design, TypeOrange creates solutions. Strategic thinking and sound strategy, combined with an easy-to-work with approach, is how TypeOrange delivers design that consistently solves problems, guides decisions, builds brands and creates loyalty. Specializing in identity development, TypeOrange has worked collaboratively with numerous in-house creative departments to enrich their creative offerings through project-based partnerships.

Linda L Hollins
2013 was the year I resurrected my freelance design after a five-year hiatus due to a move from the Midwest to the West. My aspiration in the next year and years to come is to think of myself as what I call a “micro-studio.” I believe in having a close relationship with my clients so I can understand them and their needs in a much more personal way than in the past. I really enjoy working with small businesses, non-profits and individuals. I am focusing on hand lettering, customizing type and incorporating more hands-on and possibly handmade collateral into my work, especially in the areas of identity. This includes my strong experience in high-end, custom and traditional printing. I am looking for opportunities to develop identities and collateral in areas of print, web and social media.

Loren Overholt
I am a graphic designer specializing in printed promotional material, advertising and logos. I am a strategic thinker with a background in fine arts and as a production artist. I can offer the creativity of an artist and the attention to detail required in a production environment.

Andrew Anderson
I am a freelance graphic design and direct marketing consultant with Propel Promotions, LLC. My areas of expertise include graphic design, web design, mobile web sites, SEM, SEO, Google Ad Words, iPad app development, and social media marketing/management. My industry experience includes financial, healthcare and consumer packaged goods.

Jason Early
I am a multidisciplinary designer and the founder of gruntmonkey, a small creative studio in Chicago, Illinois that provides targeted solutions utilizing visual design, user experience, art direction, responsive design and front-end development.

Over my 12 years working in the creative industry, I have worked with a diverse range of clients providing each with effective solutions that balance functionality and beauty.

Nancy Cutler
I am a veteran art director and graphic designer who worked in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area for more than 25 years. I have Midnight Oil is a boutique-style design firm that will translate your message into a visual “voice” that gives your communications clarity and individuality. I have designed and art-directed publications including books, magazines, annual reports, newsletters, marketing collateral and trade show materials in print and on the web, as well as created corporate identity and logo systems. I work with clients all over the USA Currently among my clients are including: Hub City Press, SolarPro Magazine, First Touch, Earthjustice, Table 301 Restaurant Group, and the New Resource Bank.

Midnight Oil will help you move beyond simple style to complex communication; because good design is more than just a pretty face—it has something to say. Print / Environmental / Food and Beverage / Education

Tom N. Tumbusch
I write copy that creates action for creative professionals and green businesses. I have more than a decade of experience writing e-mail promotions, auto responder sequences, web copy, direct marketing packages, advertising, brochures, newsletters, and more. I also work as a ghostwriter for projects of any size, from short articles to full-length books. My tiny, solar-powered corner of the Internet is located at www.wordstreamcopy.com, where you can subscribe to my free monthly newsletter of writing tips and strategies. You can also follow me on Twitter @wordstreamcopy.

Kellie Bambach
Sparklefurry is a full-service firm specializing in brand development, print, identities, packaging, web, special events, and photo art direction for the retail, product, restaurant, entertainment, fashion, luxury, and travel industries. We are based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Sparklefurry provides problem solving, creative positioning and strategic design solutions to businesses of all sizes. With over 15 years of design experience, we bring a fully-integrated approach to the entire process regardless of the client's industry. We become your marketing partner by understanding your goals and challenges and in turn offer strategic design solutions that achieve results.

I launched Sparklefurry in 2010 after 15 years of professional design and art direction experience. I understand the challenges InHOWse managers face, having had the experience myself of being an in-house managing art director for a major retail corporation.

Jen Lombardi
Kiwi Creative is a spunky li'l design and marketing studio that specializes in graphic design, website development, online marketing and social media strategy. Headquartered in the lovely 'burbs of Cleveland, Ohio, we're a small group of creative chicks who love working with in-house marketing managers at small- to medium-sized business. If that sounds like you, then be sure to say "hi" to me, our head honcho and creative genius.

Lisa Smith Youngdahl
ImageSmith Creative uses imagery, words, and design to forge dynamic marketing materials for both print and web.

Believing in a multi-channel approach to marketing, ImageSmith Creative offers: branding and identity, magazine / newsletter design, brochures, print services,website design, packaging,social media marketing, email marketing, and books / ePubs. ImageSmith has helped healthcare organizations educate their patients about the services offered with powerful design that is visually interesting and information .I am the owner of ImageSmith and have received a Gold Aster Award, Gold CardioVascular Advertising Award and a Pinnacle Print Award for my work in this field.

Laura Foley
I can help you and your company to “Cheat Death by PowerPoint.” Through my one-on-one coaching sessions and “Cheating Death by PowerPoint” corporate workshops, you and your staff can learn how to transform your decks into persuasive marketing materials. People also come to me when they have decks or templates that need to be strategically redesigned. By helping you to focus on your message, tell great stories, and include graphics and text that reinforce what you're talking about, I allow you to make a better connection with your audience and get the results you want from your presentations.

Jill Anderson
I am an Indy designer at Jill Lynn Design who makes websites for creatives and stylish companies.

Dan Watkins
I'm a Boston-based editorial and commercial photographer who loves working with portrait, food, music, and fashion clients.

Nicte Cuevas
In a market where companies are striving to stand out, my experience throughout the years has given me a strong foundation—along with a hunger for an on-going pursuit of excellence and continued education—to deliver solutions for customers in need of creative diversity. My company's motto is “In Life Create Diversity" and that is the core of my design approach—to create a diverse style that is unique to the needs of each client. Nicte Creative Design specializes in print, but also has great experience in creating signage for events and exhibits. Nicte Creative Design's "niche" involves clients in the education, as well as services industry.

Hope Armstrong
I am a freelance illustrator who creates cute and wacky designs that seek to entertain, delight, and surprise. I am interested in editorial illustration and other opportunities within the realms of games, technology, education, health, the environment, and the overlaps within. I am an obvious match for products and companies that are geared toward children, but my work attracts a larger audience as well.

Sonia M. Quiñones
Sonia M. Quiñones, Copywriter and Editor
Writing projects can be overwhelming! I write so you don't have to sweat the details. Whether it's your weekly newsletter or new website copy, I can help you and your clients figure out how to say what you really need to say. Lean on my eight years of experience working with public service, nonprofit, and government agencies.

Danielle Ward
I am a graphic design for print and web. I create clean, modern design for invitations, branding, and logos. I have additional expertise in the medical and healthcare education markets.

Elizabeth Coffey
Need a design partner that gets it? Elizabeth Coffey Design can help. I've been creating unique and effective design solutions for clients in a variety of industries for more than 13 years. While my client list is diverse, I work mostly with companies that provide professional services, home furnishings and nonprofits, on projects like infographics and publications of all types. Prior to starting my business I was an in-house designer for a few companies, so I understand many of the challenges departments face.

Nancy Ruzow
I am the creative director at RuzowGraphics, Inc. Ruzow Graphics is a lean, mean design and communications machine — since 1985. I work with a team of talented writers and web developers to complement my art direction of print and interactive work including annual reports, magazines, newsletters, eblasts, ads, logo systems, websites, and event materials. My clients include: New York University, New York Building Congress, Boots No. 7 Retail, SiriusDecisions, Chief Marketer Magazine, Rosco Laboratories, and Sony M3Usa.Winner of 10-2012 American Graphic Design Awards and 2-2012 American Web Design Awards.Ruzow Graphics — because SMALL gives you BIG RESULTS.

Amie Serio
Serio Design
With a DIY personality, I enjoy making just about everything, from food to stationery to clothing… the list never ends. I possess a deep love of the tactile aspects of design and I strive to create things that are authentic, personal and memorable. I am knowledgeable about color, pattern and type, and am skilled at distilling information into clean and elegant layouts. For me, it is important to think of the larger brand strategy, and I have a proven ability to make my projects stand out in the midst of competition.

My goal is to collaborate with people and companies who aim to fuse art and promotion for a positive impact. I strive to make everyone feel as good as possible about what they're doing, and thrive on fruitful, long-term client relationships. Think of me as a trusted partner, who really listens and delivers.

Michelle Thompson
I am Michelle Thompson of Fold & Gather Design. I specialize in designing books—especially illustrated how-to, lifestyle, and DIY books. I do so while listening to vintage vinyl and indulging in cold-brewed iced coffee. I also spend time baking treats, trying new vegetarian recipes, mixing cocktails for friends, tending my family's container garden, practicing circus tricks with my Chihuahua, and am always eager to head off on a bike ride or photo stroll. See my latest design work at www.foldandgather.com

Suzy Morais

I am a freelancer who has worked for a couple of different sectors; this has expanded my learning bank and given me the opportunity to become a better interdisciplinary thinker and creative designer. Through the years, I've done exhibition design work, taught at an educational museum, worked as part of an in-house design team for a large corporate company, and started my own print/web design business. I’ve designed hand-crafted invitations, logos, small websites and—one of my favorites—a hand-painted 20-foot mural.