Harford Designs, LLC

Full Service Marketing Agency with over a decade of experience branding publishing in the financial sector. 

I've had the privilege of working with busy analysts and business owners of small- to mid-sized investment firms, helping them create memorable brands that attract new clients. Whether you're a seasoned pro, just starting out, or somewhere in between, I can help you build a brand that does the work for you.

I'm a strategic thinker who understands the importance of ROI, and many of my clients have seen a return on their investment within just a few weeks of launching their new website. My clients trust me to help them develop their ongoing brand messaging and marketing strategy.

If you're ambitious, motivated and ready to move forward at an accelerated pace, we'll work closely together over the course of 2 months to get your marketing efforts up and running as soon as possible. Together, we'll convert more of the right users into valuable clients and create a consistent brand that will help you stand out in the crowded financial sector.

If this sounds like a good fit, let's connect! jessica@harforddesigns.com

CEO | Fractional CMO  l Brand Strategist | Website Designer

Creative Circle Collective Company

The Design Imposter Podcast

Co Host

Wells Fargo Securities

- Boosted senior management and analysts' personal branding
- Ensured the highest quality of all analyst publications
- Strengthened brand consistency across all digital and print materials
- Facilitated timely publication of market-sensitive documents
- Empowered analysts to take charge of branding and publications efforts

Brand Manager | Graphic Designer | Publishing

Silverpoint, Inc. (now FinalSite)

- Streamlined customer web content for effective website conversion and development
- Offered continuous help for text and design-related issues and trained clients on how to use a customized website platform.

Website Developer

Your mission drives my work!

I’m Jessica Valis, a creative strategist and website designer specializing in powerful branding and web solutions for law firms, financial advisors, and non-profits. My focus? Crafting elevated, inclusive brands that not only meet your immediate needs but also amplify your long-term impact.

With a background spanning high-stakes sectors, I bring a deep understanding of the unique demands these industries face. Whether you’re looking to enhance your firm’s digital presence or transform your brand into an advocacy tool, I provide tailored, creative solutions that resonate. I know how vital your reputation is, and I’m here to make sure your brand leaves a meaningful mark.

Need a Website Rescued? From outdated designs to websites stuck in development limbo, I offer a Website Rescue service that launches new or broken sites in just five days. This service is designed for firms and organizations needing an efficient, high-quality solution to get back on track—without sacrificing design integrity or user experience.

What You’ll Find Working With Me:

🖥️ Website & Branding Expertise: Years of experience across law, finance, and non-profits means I know how to create designs that build trust and credibility.

🎨 Creative Solutions with Impact: I go beyond visuals, ensuring every element of your brand reflects your purpose, values, and goals.

🏷️ Whitelabeling Partnership Options: Open to whitelabeling services, I provide seamless integration, enabling you to deliver high-quality branding and web solutions under your own brand.

🌎 A Mission to Make a Difference: I value transparency, social impact, and inclusivity in every project, helping you reach the communities that matter most.

Let’s connect if you’re ready to build a brand that not only stands out but also serves as a vehicle for real impact in your industry.

Jessica Valis

University of Maryland Medical System

- Develops and refines website content, proactively reaching out to marketing colleagues, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders for input.

- Serves as the web team updater for UM St. Joseph Medical Center, UM Shore Regional Health, and the Graduate Medical Education department at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

- Writes, edits, proofs and fact-checks all content before publishing it to the website.

- Ensures all content is user-friendly and adheres to Associated Press (AP) Style guidelines, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) best practices, and brand standards.

- Manages content review calendars to ensure web content is reviewed and updated on a scheduled basis.

- Performs quality control, addressing broken links, misspellings, accessibility issues, and other issues.

- Keeps abreast of healthcare internet trends, technology, and best practices.

- Lead special projects and other duties as assigned.

Digital Content Coordinator

Maryvale Preparatory School

- Managed a portfolio of 12 social media accounts, using Sprout Social, across the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn.

- Composed and managed the content, layout, and organization of the school’s external website (maryvale.com) hosted via Finalsite.

- Identified and updated inconsistencies on our website, including broken links, accessibility shortcomings, and SEO growth opportunities. Updates guided by data retrieved from our Google Analytics profile.

- Managed a team of eight high school social media interns, teaching them to write captions, design infographics, take photos, build a content calendar, create reels, and other social media marketing skills.

- Photographed on- and off-campus events two to four times a day using a Canon DSLR camera. Edited and uploaded photos within three hours. 

- Wrote, formatted, and distributed one weekly and two monthly email newsletters, as well as three to five other email notices per month on average.

- Wrote two web news articles per week to highlight a diverse array of community stakeholders.

- Designed print and digital materials, including display boards, postcards, banners, stadium signage, and programs.

- Managed and organized 1.5 terabytes worth of photographs in a shared database, which is utilized by the communications, admissions, advancement, and yearbook departments.

Multimedia Communications Specialist

- Managed, created and executed content for all of Maryvale’s social media platforms, including writing copy, taking photos and videos and creating infographics.

- Developed and managed the social media calendar.

- Developed and managed Maryvale’s growing social media intern program.

- Helped to manage, contribute to and maintain content posted on the school’s website.

- Assisted in managing photography for on- and off-site school events.

- Assisted Maryvale’s Information Technology Department by supporting live-streaming events.

- Helped create event programs and print or digital marketing advertisements.

Digital Media Specialist

Stevenson University

In this position, I help the SU Music Department execute various promotional strategies to recruit more students into our ensembles. I primarily serve as the main administrator on the department's Facebook page, linked below. Through this, I have tripled our average post views and engagement through the use of strategically worded captions and eye-catching graphics. I assist in recruitment phone calls, open houses, and have also taken photos and videos at events hosted by the department. Also linked below is a screenshot from one of my most successful promotional campaigns, which averaged 700 post views per upload.

Student Social Media Coordinator (Music Department)

- Updated content on Stevenson’s flagship website, stevenson.edu, hosted via SiteExecutive.

- Managed the complete overhaul of our oldest landing pages based on guidance from academic & athletic department heads, as well as Google Analytics data.

- Standardized the layout and HTML formatting of key landing pages; this layout is still in use today.

- Compiled and analyzed page view, bounce rate, navigation summaries, and other data from Google Analytics on a monthly basis for review.

Student Web Coordinator (Marketing & Digital Communications Department)

Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board

Student Trainee (OCE - Education & Outreach Division)

The Villager - Stevenson University Publication

As co-Editor-in-Chief, I am one of the students responsible for the uploading and final editing that takes place before publication. Similar to my role as News Editor, I edit and review content for grammar, AP style and clarity. I also supervise all other senior editors, reviewing and revising their edits right before upload.

I generate marketing and promotional materials for the newspaper, submitting them to the school's marketing department with every upload. Furthermore, I am in charge of updating The Villager Facebook page.

Editor-in-Chief

I regularly submit stories for upload for our publication, the Villager. On average, I write 3-5 articles (with two week deadlines in between) per semester. I have experience writing news articles, features, reviews, and sports articles in relationship to the Stevenson community.

Staff Writer

In the role of News Editor, I have reviewed and revised submissions from our journalists, checking for AP style, grammar, and other errors. I have also helped to edit photos for various articles.

When pitching stories to our journalists, I primarily specialized in the School of Design and Admissions/Financial Aids news and events.

News Editor

Office of Communications & Education’s ‘Education & Outreach’ Division

The UPS Store

Sales Associate

FlynnO'Hara Uniforms

Retail Sales Associate

Driven and engaging web communications professional that specializes in web content development, social media management and brand implementation. Graduate of Stevenson University - magna cum laude, 2020 - with a Bachelor of Science degree in business communication and a minor in music.

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