An award-winning Creative Leader

Creative Strategist | Fractional Marketing & Design Leader | Mentor | Helping Teams and Brands Tell Their Story

I am energized by creativity, collaboration, and meaningful projects that make a difference. With over three decades of experience leading marketing, design, and creative strategy in K-12 publishing and EdTech, I’ve had the privilege of building and guiding high-performing teams, shaping brands, and launching campaigns that inspire educators and learners nationwide.

Today, I focus on part-time and fractional opportunities where I can:
• Provide creative direction and brand storytelling that connects with audiences;
• Mentor marketing and design professionals, helping them grow their craft and confidence;
• Streamline workflows and processes so teams can be more efficient and collaborative;
• Explore new creative projects that blend strategy, design, and storytelling.

I bring a seasoned perspective, a collaborative spirit, and a passion for lifelong creativity. Whether supporting a growing startup, guiding a nonprofit’s communications, or coaching a team through a large campaign, my goal is the same: to create work that matters and help people thrive in the process.

Open to consulting, mentoring, and part-time creative leadership opportunities.

logos and layout samples

what makes Mark Ryan different

My Data Set

Areas of Expertise

Creative direction, Brand strategy, Design, Typography, Photography, Web design, Web development, Workflow solutions, Project management,  Communications, Team development

Awards

37 Hermes Creative Awards, 6 MarCom Awards, 2 REVERE Awards, Marketer of the Year, Spirit of Sunset, Palo Alto Centennial Logo Commission

Clifton Strengths

     1. Learner, 2. Intellection, 3. Achiever, 4. Strategic, 5. Responsibility, 6. Input, 7. Individualization, 8. Empathy, 9. Futuristic, 10. Communication

Technical / Software Skills

Adobe Creative Suite, HTML5, CSS3, Eloqua, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Adobe Workfront, Asana, Basecamp; Ziflow, Proof HQ, Oracle PIM, Endeca, Google Suite, Microsoft Office

get to know mark ryan

Work for Major Brands

Acura; American Honda Motor Co., Inc; American Cancer Society; American Heart Association; California Travel and Tourism Commission; Cisco Systems; City of Palo Alto; Confluent, Inc; Exponential Technology; Mazda U.S.A; Marc D’Estout; Menai Corporation; Menlo Software; Mervyn’s California; National Geographic; Norian, Incorporated; Oracle Corporation; Peninsula Center for the Blind; Procter & Gamble; Safeway; San Francisco Produce Association; Systems Plus; Sunset Magazine; Target Corporation; Teltek Systems, Inc; University of California, Santa Cruz Extension; Time-Warner; West and Moravec