Iza Sarah Ellis {

Leading Creative and Production Teams to Solve Problems

Program manager principal and problem solver with 39+ years of experience in the software, advertising and web industry managing solution implementations, creative services, production, and development teams.

Adept at keeping projects on-track, on-time, and on-budget, while facilitating teamwork and unleashing brilliant thinking to achieve higher than expected results. Highly developed design and production artist capabilities that can be deployed to meet workload demand.

Projects Managed.

Estimates Written.

Mechanicals Completed.

Digital Assignments.

Portfolio…

  • Rincon Green Fitness Room

    Rincon Green Fitness Room

    Fitness Room and Relax Area Graphics

  • Channel Mission Bay Graphics

    Channel Mission Bay Graphics

    Parking Garage Graphics

  • Rincon Green Lobby Displays

    Rincon Green Lobby Displays

    Apartment Lobby and Reception Area

  • River Islands Displays

    River Islands Displays

    Welcome Center Displays

  • View 34 Brochure

    View 34 Brochure

    Luxury Apartments in New York

  • 27 Seventy Five Brochure

    27 Seventy Five Brochure

    Luxury Apartments

  • Classics Station 361 Brochure

    Classics Station 361 Brochure

    Single-Family and Townhomes

  • The Westerly on Lincoln Brochure

    The Westerly on Lincoln Brochure

    Apartment Homes

  • Oakwood Shores Brochure

    Oakwood Shores Brochure

    Bella Lago Brochure

  • Imagine Broths Packaging

    Imagine Broths Packaging

    Tetra-Pak Packaging

  • Galaxy Desserts Packaging

    Galaxy Desserts Packaging

    Gourmet Desserts

  • Barbara’s Bakery Puffins Milk and Cereal Bars Packaging

    Barbara’s Bakery Puffins Milk and Cereal Bars Packaging

    Caddies, Cartons and Wrappers

  • Barbara’s Bakery Puffins Cereal Packaging

    Barbara’s Bakery Puffins Cereal Packaging

    Cartons

  • Green Valley Organics Website

    Green Valley Organics Website

    Lactose Free Dairy Products

  • The Peninsula Regent Website

    The Peninsula Regent Website

    Luxury Continuing Care Retirement Community Website

  • Northern California Presbyterian Homes & Services Website

    Northern California Presbyterian Homes & Services Website

    Continuing Care Retirement Community Website

  • Copper Wood at The Grove Kiosk

    Copper Wood at The Grove Kiosk

    Interactive Touch Screen Kiosk

  • River Islands Kiosk

    River Islands Kiosk

    Interactive Touch Screen Kiosk

  • River Islands Website

    River Islands Website

    Master Plan Community Website

  • East Garrison Website

    East Garrison Website

    Master Plan Community Website.

The Creative Problem Solving Process

Each step guides the next, until the best solution is achieved.

Creativity flourishes in an environment where projects are organized, planned, and clearly described to teams and individuals responsible for completing the assignment. Creative teams and account directors rely on project managers to keep the lines of communication open and transparent.

A good project manager ensures everyone has the resources they need, time to think and create, and a pat on the back for taking initiative. Using a creative process to streamline our efforts will help everyone stay focused on the project objectives and ensure our collective success.

Plan

Define the problem, develop audience matrix, evaluate strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. Plan and strategize.

Ideate

Concept alternative ideas and solutions, consider the possibilities. Brainstorm with the team. Be creative. Formulate methods.

Decide

Evaluate the alternative solutions, consider pros and cons, and select the best idea for implementation.

Implement

Plan and schedule resources. Develop, fabricate, produce and manufacture ideas into reality.

Evaluate

Analyze and measure results, review community feedback, respond and adjust. Celebrate and share success, admit and learn from mistakes.

Replicate

Set quality standards, maximize efficiency and apply what works to new endeavors, replicating excellence.

Skills…

Project Management

Project Management

Operations
Creative Services
Budgeting and Estimating
Workflow Process Methods
Scheduling and Traffic
Production Management

 

 

Digital Management

Digital Management

Web/UI Strategy
Site Architecture
Product Design
Wireframing
Word Press | CMS
Analytics | SEO
Social Media Marketing

Operations

Operations

Client Services
Revenue Management
New Business Proposals
Contract Negotiation
Purchasing
Job Cost Management
Quality Control

Human Resources

Human Resources

Recruiting
Resource Management
Policies and Procedures
Performance Appraisal
Coaching and Training
Facilitation
Teamwork
Conflict Resolution

 

 

Creative

Creative

Creative Direction
Art Direction
Design and Layout
Print Production
Collateral
Packaging
Outdoor
TV | Radio | Video

Software

Software

Creative Suite
Asana | Basecamp | Jira
Financial Force
Clients & Profits Pro
Microsoft 365
MS Planner
QuickBooks
WordPress

Knowledge

Knowledge

BA, Visual Communication
Design and Print Production
CSU, Chico
Higher Education Teaching Credential:
Graphics, Design, and Photography
UC Berkeley Extension
Root Cause Analysis, LEAN Six Sigma Certified

Interests

Interests

Art and Photography
Science and Technology
Video Production
Writing
Travel

Experience…

SERVICES
Software Implementation and Integrations, Strategy, Advertising, Websites, Print, Packaging, Digital Media, Publishing, Out-of-Home, Wayfinding Signage, TV and Radio, Sales Office Displays and Interiors, and Video Production. 

CATEGORIES
Non-Profit (Healthcare, Higher Education, Cause & Cure, Arts & Cultural), Consumer Packaged Goods (natural brands), Real Estate and Land Development, QSRs, Financial, Legal, Solar Energy, and Pharmaceuticals. 

WORK EXPERIENCE
Program Manager, Principal Blackbaud, 6 years (current)
Customer facing professional services program manager working with non-profit organizations to plan, coordinate, facilitate, and deliver multi-product software implementations, website design and build, integrations, data conversion, migrations, strategy, and consulting.

Project Manager Director, Digital Project Manager JStokes Agency / EMC Creative, 3 years
Managed estimating, timelines, project details, and creative services for various clients including real estate developers, attorneys, and quick service restaurants (QSRs). Managed print, signage, interactive websites, mobile advertising, social media, and kiosk development. Focused on improving collaboration and teamwork.
Website: JStokes

VP of Operations/GM, Creative Services Manager Gauger + Associates, 12 years
Managed company operations, creative services, production, and web development for agency specializing in branding, advertising, strategic planning, packaging, and website design and development. Client mix included real estate, natural and organic consumer packaged goods, health and beauty, solar energy, and pharmaceuticals.
Website: Gauger + Associates

Art & Production Director Videomaker Magazine, 8 years
Managed the creative and production department in the creation of a monthly magazine, website, books, videos, trade shows and workshops. Responsible for art direction, design and layout, printing coordination, press checks, website development, video production, and event management.

Instructor Graphic Design Principles and Techniques, Butte Community College, 8 years
Instructed new and returning students for successful careers in the graphic arts industry. Subjects included design principles, branding and advertising, corporate identity, packaging, environmental, collateral design, and computer graphics.

Screen Printer Art Prep and Print Production, 6 years
Designed and prepared artwork for screen printing on wearables, paper, metal, and plastics. Operated and maintained stat-camera and darkroom. Stretched and prepared screens for emulsions and films. Operated UV light system to burn screens. Set-up garment and printing equipment. Responsible for job estimating, scheduling, ordering garments and substrates.

Download Resume PDF

LinkedIn Profile

Recommendations…

  • Iza has great people skills and an incredibly creative mind. She is a strong leader, highly organized, and a great communicator.

    –Janet Souza, Marketing Communications Manager, Lundberg Family Farms

  • Iza is one of the best project directors I've ever worked with. She is masterful at working with people, bringing the best out of them, creating a very close and productive work culture, and communicating clearly and effectively. She has a very insightful view of future needs of the company, and is able to practically create strategies to move forward. Her tactical and technical knowledge is so deep that she was known as "Izapedia" around our office. She made working with her a pleasure!

    –Terry South, Production Artist at JStokes Agency

  • Iza is a multifaceted manager with great insights and operational acumen. Her process-driven project and production management skills would be a benefit to any organization. She's extremely knowledgeable and full of good surprises. The Swiss Army knife of the agency!

    –Dan Stokes, Executive Vice President, JStokes Agency

  • Iza was incredibly helpful while I was at Gauger. Being my first job at an ad agency, I was able to learn and absorb so much from Iza. Her skills and knowledge of production management, process and agency operations was astounding. She was always calm, creative and efficient. I would love to opportunity to work (and learn) with Iza again. Any organization is lucky to have her as a leader.

    –Malia Collins, National Promotions Manager at Constellation Brands

  • Iza spear-headed an effort at Gauger to create a website for my company. She organized and led the Gauger team over several months. I can't speak highly enough of her integrity, knowledge of the field, and overall management style. I would be glad to work with her again.

    –Malcolm Kaufman, Realtor at Alain Pinel Realtors

  • I can confidently say that Iza is the best manager of creative staff I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She has a deep technical knowledge of print, web, video, out-of-home, etc. She understands how to organize resources and how to plan and complete projects on time and on budget. But the most impressive thing about Iza is the way she actually inspires the people around her to innovate, to improve, and to create solutions to problems. She empowers people to do great things, often without those people even realizing they had greatness in them. I am confident that Iza can bring enthusiasm, intelligence, and innovation to any creative environment.

    –Rob Keil, Senior Art Director at Gauger + Associates

Get In Touch…

Full-Time, Freelance, Contract, or Consulting Services

 

Contact details

Iza Sarah Ellis

iza@izaellis.com

415-999-0770

Location

Remote – CA

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