Joseph leads teams in solving complex challenges through strategy, design, and tech. His work spans global brands and has earned accolades from AIGA, AAF, Emmys®, and more. He co-founded PopFizz, producing award-winning branded content, including Tennessee Valley Uncharted. A past AIGA Knoxville president and Hall of Fame inductee, he continues shaping the creative landscape through leadership and storytelling.

Since Designsensory’s founding, Brandon has pioneered cutting-edge eCommerce and digital solutions. A Johns Hopkins grad with degrees in biomedical engineering and computer science, he blends tech, strategy, and entrepreneurship. A Certified ScrumMaster with an MBA, he pushes innovation while leading technical development. A former 40 Under 40 honoree, he’s also an avid fencer and USA Fencing leader.

Lauren is the Senior Director of Client Growth at Designsensory, bringing 20 years of expertise in integrated advertising, branding, go-to-market strategy, and business development. She cut her teeth at VML, where she spent over a decade driving agency growth, shaping campaigns for powerhouse brands like Gatorade, Wendy’s, US Bank, New Balance, Mastercard, and ConocoPhillips.

From there, Lauren took on leadership roles at GlynnDevins and Bailey Lauerman, expanding her expertise in agency operations, financial management, and business strategy. She played a pivotal role in securing key partnerships with brands like Bosch Power Tools, Bosch e-Bikes, Marriott Autograph Collection, UnitedHealthcare, and Cargill.

A natural problem-solver with an instinct for meaningful connections, Lauren thrives at the intersection of strategy, creativity, and collaboration. She’s passionate about helping clients navigate complex challenges and building teams that deliver results. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Kansas and calls Omaha, NE, home—where she balances agency life with family, two fur babies, and a love for new experiences.

With 40+ years of experience, Chris is a research powerhouse, uncovering the “why” behind human behavior. An AAF Hall of Fame inductee and certified RIVA moderator, he’s led thousands of qualitative and quantitative studies across industries from sports and tourism to healthcare. Passionate about inclusivity, he drives cultural change through data, proving the impact of DEI&A at every consumer touchpoint.

Stephan has been shaping digital experiences at Designsensory since 2011. A Philly native turned Tennessean, he combines engineering expertise with a passion for user experience, specializing in eCommerce and technical development. Beyond the office, he’s dedicated to giving back and building something lasting—whether through woodworking, house flipping, playing guitar, or spending time with his wife and son.

From managing VIP clientele at Apple’s first NYC flagship to a decade in image and video licensing at Corbis and Getty, Kate’s kind of a pro at relationship management. Between these two experiences, she helped launch a crowdsourced aerial photography startup, expanding it to five major cities within three years. She’s swapped helicopters for boats now. You can find her out on the lake, mingling over cocktails or at the Farmer’s Market with her husband and two dogs.

For over a decade, Chris has brought bold, award-winning campaigns to life for brands like Zoo Knoxville, Bristol Motor Speedway, and TNECD. As Creative Director, he thrives on turning conceptual ideas into impact. A University of Tennessee alum, he’s a master of branding, strategy, production, and storytelling with design to shape unforgettable campaigns.

“What if we just…?” That’s how most conversations with Hunter start, so let’s get that out of the way. A University of Tennessee grad and homegrown talent, he joined Designsensory early and built our social media department from the ground up. A true collaborator, he blends strategy, performance and storytelling to make brands shine. Always balancing the cutting-edge with the classic, you’ll find him with the latest tech in one hand and a vintage film camera in the other.

Brad brings a Hollywood-honed approach to influencer and experiential marketing, crafting brand tribes that go beyond engagement—they evangelize. With deep experience in talent strategy, live activations, and socially integrated campaigns, he’s worked with Google, Pizza Hut, YouTube Music and Samsung. He builds authentic, long-term partnerships that turn brands into movements. Bring up Star Trek, comic books or film and television, and Brad can keep the conversation delightfully going for hours.

An Ohio native with a background in computer engineering, Michael joined Designsensory full-time in 2006 (yep, he’s an OG) after freelancing with the team. As a lead developer, he builds the digital infrastructure powering apps and websites, ensuring seamless user experiences. From iOS and Android to backend systems, he’s the go-to for tech solutions. But Michael’s tinkering knows no bounds, as he’s been known to fix vintage cameras, hike, and bike around the South. We have him to thank for our homebrewed beer on tap upstairs.

Mary is a powerhouse in marketing strategy, tourism, and event planning. From leading cross-functional teams at AMG Solutions to directing client services for Knoxville Tourism, she’s crafted visitor experiences for 80,000+ guests annually. A key player in Tennessee’s Trails & Byways program, she now serves on multiple tourism boards, shaping the future of hospitality through strategy, partnerships, and innovation.

Madelyn’s career spans broadcast, production, and storytelling. She got her start at Discovery’s Travel Channel, where she gained deep expertise in programming before expanding into project management and account strategy. Now at Designsensory, she leads the development of premium unscripted and branded content, securing partnerships with HGTV, Food Network, Magnolia, and more. With a sharp eye for ambitious formats and untapped talent, she crafts compelling stories across food, home, and lifestyle.

Josh left the corporate grind in 2007 to build meaningful digital experiences at Designsensory. He specializes in web, interactive, and print media and has a passion for crafting sleek, intuitive web applications that enhance user experience. Whether it’s typography, UX, or seamless interactivity, Josh ensures the design isn’t just beautiful—it’s functional.

A ‘90s kid who saw the rise of digital marketing, Jessica built a career in eCommerce and media strategy. With a degree from Georgia Southern and certifications in Google Analytics, Ads, and Facebook Blueprint, she’s helped mission-driven brands thrive. From tourism to beauty, her work spans many industries. When she’s not in marketing land, she’s gardening, hiking or exploring Asheville with her husband and son.

Ben is obsessed with motion. Like, seriously, we can’t rein him in. We’re surprised this bio doesn’t have an animated interaction. Whether it’s 2D, 3D, or VFX, he thrives on crafting dynamic visuals with precision and style. He brings a motion-first mindset to creative projects–brand, media, interactive work–it doesn’t matter. When he’s not perfecting keyframes, he’s diving into all things nerdy while hanging out with his wife, son and dogs.

Erik brings a playful, exploratory approach to design—ask for one concept, you’ll get ten, all ready to ship. His expertise spans branding, illustration, animation, and environmental design, always rooted in problem-solving and collaboration. A former Advanced Typography co-teacher at UT, he loves sharing knowledge and crafting delightfully weird 3D renders—but in his free time, he’s bouldering or wrangling three mischievous cats with his wife.

Curious to his core, Ryan obsesses over the “why?”—from message craft to brand strategy. With a B.A. in advertising and an M.A. in brand/media strategy from ETSU, he’s an award-winning copywriter and strategist. His master’s thesis on presidential speech messaging earned top honors. When not optimizing brands, he’s sipping budget bourbon, exploring South Knoxville, or binging Stuff You Should Know.

When Susan joined Designsensory in 2007, she brought years of storytelling experience as a writer, editor, and marketing strategist, specializing in tourism, economic development, and historic preservation. A University of Georgia alum and long-time Knoxville resident, she now considers herself Vol-adjacent. Outside of work, she’s a film buff, sports fan, and music lover who’s been everything from a reporter to a cave guide—because good stories come from everywhere.

Tisha’s love for numbers and brands led her to advertising after a high school career day made it clear—she was meant for media, not accounting. A University of Tennessee advertising graduate, she started as a traditional media buyer before digital was even a thing. With over 20 years of experience across agencies, startups, and client-side roles, she now leads DS’s media department, ensuring every paid media plan is precise, strategic, and built for impact.

Barry, The Beard’s (just kidding), tech journey began at just two years old with an Apple IIe. From programming games on his TI-83 at age 12, he mastered languages like PHP and JavaScript. Barry now leads our tech team as Technical Development Manager, overseeing projects for clients like USA Triathlon, NASCAR Speedpark, and Covenant Health. His technical expertise and leadership have been key to the company’s success.

Chelsea is known for her strong communication skills and ability to build cross-functional relationships. With expertise in strategic planning and brand management, she excels at juggling multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Outside work, she’s a busy wife and mom of three, cheer coach, PTA board member, and a fan of running, hot yoga, and reality TV. A proud Knoxville native, Chelsea’s gotta drop a “Go Vols” in here.

With 7+ years of experience in SEO, digital marketing and growth strategies, she turns challenges into opportunities that push brands forward. A University of Tennessee alum with a PR degree and Project Management Certification, she keeps projects running seamlessly. When she’s not optimizing workflows, she’s traveling, tackling home projects or cheering on the Vols.

After earning degrees in marketing and finance in 2018, Abby launched her career with a zeal for creativity and problem-solving. She discovered her love for project management in 2019 at a small agency, where she thrived in creating processes and supporting others. Now, PMP certified, Abby enjoys the benefits of a larger team, and we enjoy her passion for making delicious coffee (thank you, Abby!) and electronic music.

A UT graduate and Eagle Scout, Stuart joins Designsensory with 13 years of experience in television post-production and journalism. From supervising award-winning documentaries at Jupiter Entertainment to teaching video editing at Pellissippi State, he excels at keeping complex narratives on track. Outside of work, the “Stu” you’ll meet is a soccer enthusiast and AC Milan fan who loves cooking for his family. Ask him about his nationally ranked Ultimate Frisbee days or his unique ability to whistle and hum at the same time.

Isabella, a University of Tennessee graduate, is a results-driven Media Manager with a passion for both digital and traditional media. She found her stride in automotive digital marketing, where her attention to detail and data-driven mindset set her apart. Drawn to Designsensory for its dynamic culture and growth opportunities, she thrives in fast-paced, collaborative environments. Always leveling up, she stays ahead of industry trends through ongoing research and certifications.

Colby, a front-end developer, graduated from Pellissippi in 2014 and immediately jumped into the world of marketing, eventually joining Designsensory. His passion for development comes from a love of building, problem-solving, and creating. Off the clock, he’s with his family—constructing Lego masterpieces, racing toy cars or forever winning at Scrabble (but let’s keep that between us).

Chris, a former computer science student at East Tennessee State University, brings extensive experience in PHP, WordPress, JavaScript, React, and more. Chris has experience developing full-time, managing servers, and handling client relations. Chris has built scalable platforms, including an e-commerce tool and trip planner, demonstrating his ability to create efficient and impactful systems.

Courtney moved to Knoxville in 2010 and earned a master’s in Communications from the University of Tennessee in 2012. She’s worked with websites ever since, evolving from design and SEO to content and accessibility. Today, she focuses on content management and information architecture. Outside work, she enjoys video games, RPGs, reading fantasy and sci-fi, trying new recipes, and collecting dragons.

Ilana graduated from the University of Tennessee with her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Electronic Media. While earning her degree, she worked in live production and content creation, as Associate Producer for VFL Films. The athletic broadcasting role led to a freelance position for ESPN and the SEC Network. A natural creator and communicator, Ilana developed her craft by working with small businesses and influencers. Her role developing content strategy and designing media to help establish brands, prepared her for her current position at Designsensory. The balanced atmosphere, fostering collaboration and creative autonomy inspired Ilana to join our team in 2022. As Social Media Specialist, she hopes to master the art of viral content. 

The content creation doesn’t stop when Ilana leaves the office, she crafts short films and practices comedy writing in her free time. Ilana also enjoys traveling, competitively playing Just Dance, trying new recipes and catching up on her favorite shows. If you want to challenge her social media expertise, ask her to see her 40 slide presentation on the history and evolution of memes.

Miranda’s love for marketing started early, managing her family’s small business. After earning a double major in Business Management and Marketing from Eastern University, she built her career in brand management and internal communications, promoting virtual care solutions at TeamHealth. Now at Designsensory, she’s expanding her expertise in media management and analytics. When she’s not crafting strategies, she’s coaching volleyball, watching sports with her family, or planning her next beach trip.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville Brian is a multidisciplinary designer who treats every project like a puzzle, navigating unknown territory to find the perfect fit. With a Certificate in Type Design from the Letterform Archive, he blends illustration, photography, and custom code to build precise, innovative visual solutions. Driven by a desire to “create every day,” he joined Designsensory to evolve his craft within a high-caliber team. Outside the office, he’s a dedicated maker—ask him about vintage cameras, coding, or his latest DIY crafting project with his wife.