CREATIVE STRATEGY & LEADERSHIP | PROGRAM INNOVATION | COMMUN

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Creative strategist, arts administrator, and nonprofit program leader with 20+ years of experience developing community-centered initiatives, building partnerships, and translating complex ideas into accessible programs and visual communications. Experienced in community feedback, collaborative planning, curriculum and service design, staff leadership, and full-cycle project execution. Combines hands-on design production with a track record of founding and directing arts and educational programs. 

Community Engagement & Stakeholder Research • Human-Centered Program Design • Arts & Nonprofit Administration • Strategic Planning & Program Evaluation • Cross-Sector Partnerships • Workshop & Curriculum Design • Staff Leadership • Brand & Communication Design • Proposals, Budgets & Presentations • Video & Digital Storytelling 

Co-Founder | Songbird Festival & Collective, Annapolis, MD | 

Sep 2022–Present 

• Co-founded an artist-centered festival and collective advancing representation, professional opportunities, and equity for women and underrepresented musicians; developed strategic vision, programming, and community partnerships. 
• Lead event production, artist showcases, sponsorship cultivation, fundraising, marketing, and operations; build partnerships with performers, venues, and community organizations. 
• Designed organizational branding, website, promotion 

Co-Founder, Creative Director & Curriculum Designer  |  Wildhearts Academy,  

Arnold, MD  |  Jan 2021–Present

• Co-founded and built a community-centered educational organization for children ages 3–12; established the mission, educational model, age-specific programs, and research-informed, arts-integrated curriculum. 
• Lead strategy, budgeting, staffing, enrollment, and daily operations; recruit and mentor educators and refine programming using family feedback and student needs. 
• Created brand identity, website, curriculum publications, videos, and outreach communications; cultivate partnerships with families and local organizations. 

Director of Programming  |  Maryland Hall,  Annapolis, MD  |  

Jan 2022–Jul 2023

• Led strategic development and delivery of community programs; supervised education and outreach staff and oversaw visual arts programming, galleries, and residencies.
• Built relationships with schools, nonprofits, and community partners to expand access to arts experiences and support organizational priorities.
• Contributed to executive planning, program evaluation, and institutional graphic design and digital illustration.

Founder & Director, Jóvenes Artistas  |  Maryland Hall,  Annapolis, MD  |  

Jan 2013–Jul 2023

• Founded and directed a therapeutic arts and mentorship program for underserved youth, developing its structure, curriculum, partnerships, and ongoing assessment.
• Engaged students, families, educators, and community organizations; used stakeholder feedback to refine programming and strengthen participation.
• Designed program logo, branding, website, flyers, proposals, budgets, stakeholder slide decks, and documentary videos supporting outreach and funding.

Independent Creative Consultant | Laura Brino | 

Jul 2013–Present

• Provide accessible creative consulting to small businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, and individuals, translating client needs and ideas into cohesive brands, communications, and creative experiences. 
• Direct projects from discovery and concept development through design, revisions, and delivery; collaborate with clients to develop clear, practical, audience-centered solutions. 
• Design logos, brand identities, websites, social media content, print collateral, presentations, and event materials; develop arts-integrated curricula and instructional resources. 

Outreach Coordinator | Maryland Hall, Annapolis, MD | 

Jun 2017–Jan 2022 

• Designed and managed community arts education and outreach initiatives for underserved populations; developed school, artist, and nonprofit partnerships and supported grants and evaluation. 
• Created curricula, websites, branding, and documentary videos; produced ArtReach Film Series and ArtReach Challenges to sustain community engagement during COVID-19. 

Owner & Creative Director | The Shop: Hair.Art.Music, Annapolis, MD | 

Jan 2015–Jan 2020 

• Founded and operated a multidisciplinary business combining a hair salon, contemporary art gallery, and intimate music and cabaret venue; designed its brand and shared-space business model. 
• Managed budgets, scheduling, client experience, exhibitions, live events, artist partnerships, and promotional campaigns across multiple revenue streams. 

Arts Integration Specialist | Wiley H. Bates Middle School, AACPS | 

Jul 2013–Jul 2015 

• Led interdisciplinary curriculum design with teachers and artists; facilitated professional development, coordinated artist residencies, and created multimedia documentation of program outcomes. 

Visual Arts Teacher | Wiley H. Bates Middle School, AACPS | 

Jul 2010–Jul 2014 

• Designed inclusive, standards-aligned visual arts curriculum for a diverse Title I school; used differentiated instruction, collaborative art projects, and exhibitions to support student learning. 

 Visual identity and graphic design  •  Website design and content  •  Community surveys  •  Information and presentation design  •  Curriculum publications  •  Documentary video production  •  Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro  •  Canva 

Bachelor of Arts, Arts Education  |  Towson University, Baltimore, MD
Undergraduate Studies, Illustration  |  Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD 

Annie Award, Arts Educator of the Year (2022)  •  Maryland State Arts Council Project Grant (2023)  •  NEA Learning & Leadership Grant (2014)  •  AACPS New Arts Educator of the Year (2012)  •  Presenter, NAEA National Conferences (2014, 2015) and NEA National Conference (2012)  •  Education Secretary Town Hall Panelist (2015) 

Singer-Songwriter, Recording Artist & Visual Artist Creative practice spanning 10 albums, a music licensing deal, Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Award recognition as recipient and finalist, and visual art. Draws on storytelling, experimentation, and crossdisciplinary thinking to approach ideas and challenges with originality.