As a young girl I played office instead of house..
And if you were growing up in the ‘80s, that was a little weird. But, I proudly arranged my office setting in the family sunporch. With that abundance of light streaming in, I made important imaginary phone calls, read books, wrote memos, pushed clickety-clack buttons on a broken calculator and even pretended my name was Susan Pennington, because that just sounded ‘businessy’. I practiced Susan’s signature on my memos, again and again.
Thankfully, I ditched the alias (no offense to any Susans) and leaned into my whole self. I love my work and always have…
The Facts
Within the consultancy, we provide assessment, strategy development and implementation training and support for changemakers, entrepreneurs and organizations across multiple industries, such as manufacturing, higher education, service-based organizations, marketing agencies and non-profits.
In Higher Ed
Because the consultancy often serves organizations in times of change, I’ve held interim senior leadership positions such as associate vice president of marketing at Northern Virginia Community College, the second largest community college in the United States, and associate vice president of marketing at St. Bonaventure University, a private, Catholic university. My client roster regularly includes higher education clients seeking to clarify marketing and brand strategy.
In Corporations
I’ve worked in tourism, food and beverage, sporting goods, kitchen cutlery, automotive aftermarket and healthcare on both the agency and client sides. My focus for brands such as Cutco Cutlery, Zippo Manufacturing, Steaz Organic Iced Tea, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream and BlueCross BlueShield was building integrated, comprehensive marketing strategies.
As an Educator
I’ve taught at the undergraduate and graduate level for over 15 years and was an early adopter of online teaching. I’ve held a range of faculty positions at St. Bonaventure University and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, teaching integrated marketing communications, branding, strategic marketing management, international marketing, consumer behavior and digital & social media marketing.
I’ve also led marketing and branding training for corporations and institutions, both stateside and abroad. I’ve served as an instructor and assistant director for St. Bonaventure’s Francis E. Kelley Oxford study abroad program in England. And I am certified in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. I’ve taught English as a foreign language and cross-cultural business communication in Costa Rica for international brands such as Hewlett Packard, Intel and Equifax.
As a Student
I hold an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from St. Bonaventure University and a B.S. in Communications from Houghton College. In continuing education, I teach, which requires that I am in a constant state of learning in my field and from my students. I am coached by Shelagh Cummins in The Road to Seven, a leading women’s entrpreneurship firm that brings women in the growth business phase into learning community with one another and teaches how to scale profitable and socially-minded businesses. I also read, alot…. on empowering women, entrepreneurship, branding and living in alignment with my values. I recently received training certificates in Inclusive Leadership from edX Catalyst, a nonprofit organization on a mission to accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion.
The Feels
I’m a grateful and short-on-sleep (coffee, please) mama of two little dudes. But, I never tire of loving them. They are what I know to be true in this world. Like most women and moms, I feel the weight of social and gender expectations which attempt to dictate how I ‘should’ act, do, be, but I always return to myself and my inner knowing. I think we don’t listen to ourselves enough, and the ability to do so is a superpower.
When I’m not playing in our latest Nerf gun battle, picking up toys for the 1,000th time, or shuttling us to soccer or baseball practice, I like to study Spanish, workout and plan our next trip to my heart’s country, Costa Rica.
Shebe Values
How I show up in the world and serve you as leaders, changemakers and marketing professionals shapes my point of view and all work in the consultancy. This includes my approach, why it matters to me past just getting the job done, how I choose and assemble team partners for client work and my belief that brand and marketing are critical drivers in setting organization identity, culture and social impact.
We will be what we claim and stand in alignment with our values. In a world eager to “show”, we will do with purpose and intention.
Authenticity over Optics
We will not polarize or simplify. We get comfortable with complexity and seek to understand.
Comfort in Complexity
We will create change by ensuring fair and equitable access to opportunities and outcomes.
Equitable over Equal
We have a force of character, the courage to change and the audacity to take calculated risks.
Magnify the Moxie
Yes, we will look at the data, but we also go inward, listen and trust in inner knowing.
Align with Intuition
Shebe Marketing’s incredible intern team; Emilee, Ayah and Elle. Used with permission.
A world full of empowered women isn’t one where men are marginalized. It’s a world where everyone thrives.
— Prunima Mane, global expert on gender
The Shebe Difference?
01. Tailored Approach
Committed to deeply listening to clients' needs and concerns, crafting personalized marketing and branding strategies that align with your unique goals and values.
02. Empathetic Leadership
Leading through diverse experience and empathy, I foster strong client relationships built on trust, care, and mutual respect.
03. Purpose-Driven Focus
Dedicated to working with purpose-driven organizations, amplifying their impact through sustainable marketing infrastructure and brand positioning that resonates with your target audience.
04. Holistic Perspective
Taking a holistic approach to marketing and branding, considering not only the external messaging and visuals but also the internal culture and values of the client organization, ensuring alignment and authenticity at every touchpoint.
05. Teaching While Doing
Integrating educational elements into all Shebe services, empowering clients with knowledge and insights gained from years of teaching, leading and consulting in this field, to help ensure the impact of the strategy work has impact beyond its initial launch.
