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

C3 Visionary Strategies

I founded C3 Visionary Strategies to provide SMEs and non-profits with comprehensive marketing, communications and operational growth strategies. C3’s customized services are designed to help clients build capacity to drive revenue, develop strategic goals, and manage organizational change. 

For-profit and non-profit organizations of all sizes often struggle with talent retention because their expectations and goals do not align with their resources or their staff’s expertise.  C3 works with organizations to create achievable goals that help young teams build confidence and experience success. In addition, C3 helps organizations utilize all of its tools, build collaborative, cross-functional teams, and develop communications and fundraising strategies that align with business development and fundraising goals.

Founder and Chief Supporting Officer

I95 BUSINESS

Senior Writer

Girl Scouts of Central Maryland

As the Chief Development Officer, I managed all external relations and organizational advancement for Girl Scouts of Central Maryland including fundraising, marketing, communications, partnerships, and public affairs. In this role, I built the organization's capacity to serve more girls throughout the Central Maryland region, expanding the organization's visibility and increasing revenue through annual giving, major gifts, grants, corporate sponsorship and events. I managed a team of 8 full-time staff and three board committees, and created cross-functional team approach to drive organizational fundraising and marketing goals. 

During my tenure, I led strategies that resulted in a 134% increase in online giving, 87% increase in annual corporate giving, and a 20% increase in the number of annual donors in my first full year, and a 26% comparable revenue increase overall in year two. In addition, I oversaw two RFP processes for six-figure vendor contracts, was instrumental in securing more than $300,000 in state bonds, created a leadership conference for middle and high school girls, and led a 25th anniversary celebration campaign for Girl Scouts Beyond Bars that resulted in coverage from the BBC, Washington Post, and Good Morning America, raising more than $40,000, and earning a PRSA Best in Maryland Award. 

I worked in partnership with the CEO and Board of Directors to develop annual and long-term marketing, communications and fundraising strategies, and was responsible for ensuring the organization was prepared and effectively executed proactive and responsive strategies to address sensitive issues and challenges, and leveraged opportunities. Under my leadership, board engagement and participation in fundraising increased to include annual calling campaigns for lapsed donors and board-sponsored peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns, 

Member: Association of Fundraising Professionals

Chief Development Officer

Harford County Public Library Foundation

The Harford County Public Library Foundation raises supplemental funding and community awareness to support the Library's capacity to provide new and expanding services, materials, and access for all people living and working in Harford County, MD.

As the Executive Director of the Foundation, I served as the chief fundraiser for the Library, overseeing all  individual giving, major gifts, and capital campaigns; and implementing effective donor cultivation, recognition and stewardship strategies.

Member: Association of Fundraising Professionals

Executive Director

Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore

In 2014, I was hired to develop and grow the newly-created Director of Marketing and Communications role under the direction of the CEO. In this capacity, I was responsible for:
•	Identifying internal and external marketing and communication challenges
•	Developing and managing a comprehensive, integrated communications plan- marketing, public relations, messaging, branding
•	Cultivating relationships with companies throughout the Baltimore region
•	Improving business development and fundraising strategy
•	Supporting regional talent recruitment and retention

Key Successes:
•	Conceptualized, pitched and secured new segment on WYPR called Why Baltimore, conversations with local business and community leaders about Baltimore’s distinct standing among other markets. Airs weekly. I served as the Executive Producer of the show.
•	Launched Baltimore Story, a social campaign to provide a platform to share stories about living and working in the Baltimore region. Baltimore Story is a piece of a much larger talent recruitment and retention marketing strategy.
•	Developed a Talent Recruitment/Retention Marketing Taskforce comprised of marketing and HR leaders from regional companies and universities to address challenges, share marketing efforts and identify collaborative opportunities.
•	Created a Regional Marketing Taskforce whose members include marketing and pr directors for the region's economic development offices. The goal of the taskforce is to share content, discuss collaborative opportunities and develop regional marketing messaging.
•	Oversaw the development of a new event series for young professionals, which had more than 600 attendees in year one, and secured $25,000 in corporate funding for the program in year two.

Member: Maryland Economic Development Association

Director of Marketing and Communications, Business Development

Nevins & Associates

• Developed and implemented strategic marketing and public relations plans to establish clients as leaders in their fields, increase market share for their businesses, support public affairs initiatives, and improve their visibility and relationships with community and civic groups
• Managed day-to-day operations for 8-10 clients in various industries including accounting, healthcare and retail 
• Pitched and secured earned media coverage locally, regionally and nationally 
• Wrote and placed op-eds, and bylined articles on behalf of client leadership
• Identified and established strategic partnerships, civic engagement opportunities, speaking opportunities and community outreach initiatives
• Supported legislative affairs and government relations
• Secured and managed program and event sponsorships
• Created and implemented advertising and marketing campaigns
• Planned events and press conferences- lead planning committees, coordinated with business leaders, government officials, and media, crafted speaking points, managed budgets, worked with vendors, and created event plans and timelines
• Managed staff and interns

Senior Account Executive, Communications, Public Affairs and Business Development

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

• Responsible for the development of strategic plans and partnerships to achieve marketing and fundraising goals
• Propelled revenue growth and enabled operational growth with establishment of a grant strategy that in its first year raised more than $300,000 from local foundations
• Enhanced revenue and supported marketing efforts by securing corporate sponsorships
• Key member of team that developed and implemented several successful promotions including Baltimore Restaurant Week and Kids Month
• Led the development of several inaugural programs including Baltimore Retail Week and the Women’s Leadership Initiative
• Spearheaded marketing campaigns, events and programs that maximized business opportunities and supported organizational growth
• Developed strategies to increase annual membership, and cultivate new and existing members
• Provided senior leadership with marketing and advocacy support for local government funding
• Oversaw vendors and managed contracts
• Managed cooperative marketing programs with local partners including government entities, non-profits and businesses
• Developed and implemented e-marketing strategies such as emails and sweepstakes
• Secured earned media coverage for events and marketing programs
• Managed summer internship program
• Managed event staff
• Served on committees for Baltimore Restaurant Week, Annual Monument Lighting, and Star Spangled 200/War of 1812 Commemoration

Director of Advertising and Marketing, Business Development

Maryland Historical Society

• Worked with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to develop and implement branding, public relations and marketing campaigns to promote three museums, a library, exhibitions and events, and support the publishing division
• Collaborated with the Deputy Director for Development to provide messaging and creative support for annual fund and individual giving strategies, and grant applications; evaluate and develop programs and marketing initiatives to increase membership and grow the annual fund
• Secured earned media coverage locally and regionally
• Created and implemented annual advertising plans
• Developed cooperative marketing initiatives with area businesses, cultural institutions and marketing groups
• Secured media sponsorship for exhibitions and special events 
• Led the redesign of quarterly newsletter and new web site
• Realized savings of 20% in the pr/marketing budget by analyzing vendor relationships, contracts, and marketing procedures
• Member of Baltimore Tourism Association, Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance, Greater Baltimore History Alliance, Mount Vernon Cultural District, Visit Baltimore, and Historic Jonestown
• Served on committees for At Freedom's Door- an exhibition collaboration with MICA and Reginald F Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History, Civil War 150th anniversary commemoration, War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebration, Heritage Walk and Mount Vernon Cultural Walk

Director of Public Relations and Marketing, Fundraising Strategist

The Rosen Group / Rosen Media Arts Management

• Supported launch of new non-profit, the Arts Business Institute
• Streamlined and improved public relations efforts
• Served as public relations consultant for artists and retailers (clients) across the country
• Increased earned media coverage 100% for clients
• Secured local and national media coverage in print, radio and blogs, as well as notable placements such as Trade Show Week’s list of 50 Fastest Growing Trade Shows and President Wendy Rosen as a member of the Maryland Daily Record’s Top 100 Women
• Served as speech writer for President, Wendy Rosen
• Managed on-site press-room for semi-annual trade show attended by 9000 retailers 
• Directed and marketed all events- secured speakers and jury panels, created and implemented marketing plan, etc
• Worked with municipal tourism and arts/cultural departments and committees, and media throughout the U.S. to promote Top 25 Arts Destinations, Top 100 Retailers and NICHE Awards

Public Relations Manager

Collaborative senior executive with 20+ years of experience in external relations and advancement, developing innovative, effective strategies to meet small business and non-profit branding, revenue and social impact goals. Organizational change agent, collaborative thought-leader, and passionate advocate for mission-driven organizations and socially-responsible corporations.

Demonstrated success in developing integrated marketing/communications plans; creating comprehensive strategies to achieve annual, capital and programmatic fundraising goals through corporate sponsorship, individual giving, major gifts and grants; cultivating relationships with current, lapsed and prospective donors to maintain and grow annual giving levels; implementing effective donor stewardship programs; creating corporate philanthropic initiatives that demonstrate positive impact on communities; leading cross-functional teams; analyzing and supporting board governance and board development; collaborating with senior leadership, board of directors and committees to establish strategic policies and objectives, and develop short- and long-term goals, work plans, and timetables; and supporting leadership teams experiencing transition or organizational growth trajectories.  

Excellent writer with experience writing effective and compelling op-eds, digital content, grants, case statements, speeches, press materials, and RFPs.

taplio

The Battle

Jessica Valis

Kristi S. Halford

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?