Alexis joined Gard Communications in September 2018 as an account manager on several of our larger clients for whom we provide communications strategy, website development, design work, advertising campaigns and messaging.
What do you do?
As an Account Manager, I maintain the professional relationship between clients and the rest of the hardworking strategists, creative heads and production people here at Gard, helping put together impactful messaging and advertising campaigns.
I would say my job is like good makeup: If you don’t notice anything being done, then it’s being done right.
What led you to Gard?
My industry background is a bit eclectic with work experience across law, tech, retail, architecture, digital advertising, accounting, coaching and theater. My college degree was in architecture, and I studied UX as well. Moving to Portland gave me an opportunity to focus on making intentional career choices. I knew I wanted to continue pursuing project management in the design space at a workplace with female leaders. Representation matters! Gard offers the right combination of classic and contemporary communications approaches, with arms in web design, advertising and marketing. And a good percentage of our company includes women at director and management roles. My role gives me daily opportunities to learn as well as projects to lead and build.
If you were not doing this job, what would you be doing?
Making live theater has been a huge part of my life for almost 20 years now. I’ve done a little of everything – acting, singing, production, playwriting and some directing – at both the local and regional level. Collaborating on new works lights up all the different parts of my brain, and I’m never happier than when I’m part of a story going up on stage.
What’s one thing about you that would surprise us?
In high school, I was an All-State ranked fencer, women’s foil.
What’s your favorite hobby?
Escape Rooms. My boyfriend and I have completed about 10 in the Portland/Vancouver area with more nationwide. We obsessively clock our win/loss averages in a Google sheet.
During COVID, I’ve also started playing ‘Overcooked 2’ on Nintendo Switch. It’s a collaborative game about cooking in ridiculous environments — think rafting, hot air ballooning or being besieged by zombie carrots. I find it pretty cathartic during an election year to yell, ”Throw me more onions!” at my friends, online, in a pixelated kitchen environment.
Favorite book
“Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore”
What are you reading right now?
During the pandemic, I’ve been revisiting the comfort lit of my youth by bingeing on Tamora Pierce books.
And Katie, our Graphic Designer, put me onto the Libby online library app, so I’ve just finished the first two books in the Discovery of Witches series. I’m also reading Glennon Doyle’s new book “Untamed,” and Cathy Hong’s “Minor Feelings.”
What are the places you’re dying to visit?
Immersive art experience, Meow Wolf, in Santa Fe, and the Caribbean island of St. Lucia to stay in a three-walled hotel room.