Marketing

Daniel M.
Content Strategy and Brand Strategy

Dan is a fervent believer in the power of exceptional storytelling, thoughtful content and a strong brand to drive a positive and lasting impact in organizations of all sizes and types.

In a career spanning more than 18 years, he has tested that theory as a marketing and communications leader for large enterprises, small and mid-size firms, public companies and associations. During that time, he has held roles in various industries and verticals including finance, tech and human resources, at stops including Jackson Financial, National Planning Corporation (a regional broker-dealer), Financial Planning Association and DHI Group, Inc. In every instance, Dan has built or evolved marketing and communications programs that prioritize customer-centricity and are powered by unique content that educates, resonates and delivers outcomes. His experience includes disciplines across content marketing and strategy, brand strategy, creative direction and management, product marketing, media and public relations and executive communications.

Dan is an award-winning content creator, a Pragmatic certified product marketer, and a relentless learner who is always looking for new ways to improve and grow. An aspiring novelist, he has finished two manuscripts and is pursuing his dream of seeing his books in a bookstore someday. Dan is also a lifelong ice hockey fan (Go Stars) and still plays on his recreational team, the Avnots (17 years and counting). In his free time, he enjoys running, hiking, going to museums, pizza and movie nights, and building cool Lego structures with his wonderful family; he lives with his wife, Kristin, and son, Simon, in Englewood, Colorado.

Matt L.
Marketing

George Washington University – MBA, Marketing
Denison University – BA, Communications with a concentration in Political Science

BIOGRAPHY

Matt L. has more than two decades of marketing, communications, business development, business strategy, operations, and partnership experience. He founded nova*ei LLC to help mission-driven enterprises and organizations achieve exponential impact. Previously, Matt served as a vice president and leadership team member at Quantified Ventures, a certified B Corporation working with pioneering organizations to develop investible solutions for people and planet. At QV, Matt led marketing, operations, and partnerships. He helped double revenue, launch and scale several subsidiary enterprises during a transition to a holding company model, and deliver a solution studio innovation offering.
Matt came to Quantified Ventures from George Washington University, where he was the Assistant Vice President for MarketBusing Communications in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. In this role, he managed a team working to engage 300,000 alumni worldwide and acquire / retain 20,000+ donors annually. Matt led the brand strategy, communication, and marketing efforts for GW’s first $1 billion fundraising campaign and played a key role in building the divisional digital and constituent experience strategy. Prior to his time in higher education, Matt served as an account executive at the global public relations and strategic communications agency Hill+Knowlton Strategies.
Matt and his spouse reside in Washington, DC, with their two wonderful daughters. Matt serves in volunteer leadership roles with DC SCORES, a non-profit that provides young poet-athletes the confidence and skills to succeed on the playing field, in the classroom, and in life. In his down time, Matt spends time exploring cultural and outdoor activities in the DC region with his family.

Kate W.
Marketing

With both an entrepreneurial and creative spirit, Kate’s experience spans across diverse industries includ­ing finance, film, fashion, non-profits, nanotechnology, events, cannabis, motorsports, and real estate. As a skilled and ambitious senior-level professional with more than 25 years of experience in developing, direct­ing, and executing successful, visionary marketing plans, she is positioned to make significant impact on your organization.

Her background includes designing and implementing forward-thinking marketing plans and strategies, social and digital marketing plans and execution, brand development and messaging, creative direction, product development and packaging direction, guerilla marketing strategies, public and investor relations, technical and creative copywriting, business development, project management, team motivation and lead­ership.

In 2004, she launched Birdie LLC, which specialized in creating a complete product line of chic apparel and accessories for today’s female golf enthusiast. Taking inspiration from a combination of a vintage and modern feel, along with her sense of style and color, her work landed the brand appearances on multiple televisions shows and took home several prestigious awards. She took Birdie LLC to the next level by part­nering with a global licensing agency to expand the product line worldwide. Her work has been featured in more than 30 national and international publications including The New York Times, The Denver Post, 5280 Magazine, Teen Vogue, Japan Vogue, SELF, Real Simple, WWD, Forbes, Vice and Shape.

Her creative spirit has afforded me numerous opportunities to showcase her vibrant and adventurous per­sonality both on the job and off. Among her accomplishments, she has competed in the notorious SCORE Baja 1000 race and founded the first All-American Girls Off-Road team, securing SoBe Lifewater and Wa­hoo Fish Tacos as sponsors. As facilitator of Team Centrix Baja Adventure, she led driving programs and logged in 11,000+ miles across the Baja Peninsula.

Most recently, she was Chief Marketing Officer of NanoSphere Health Sciences, Inc. where she success­fully led corporate marketing, product marketing, public relations, investor relations and branding for the leading biotech firm and its brand Evolve Formulas. She was also recently named as a finalist for the Top 50 Marketer Awards from OnConferences for her work with NanoSphere Health.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Colorado (2001). Additionally, she earned Certificates in Basic Cuisine and Wine from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, France (2002). She participates on Young Professional Committees for organizations including Volunteers of America, Adoption Exchange, The Colorado Neurological Institute, National Jewish and The Colorado Ballet.

Kirsten M.
Marketing & PR

Kirsten’s passion and expertise is in bringing brands to life through critical insights, strategic thinking, and strong client partnerships. Kirsten comes to Canopy with more than 20 years of experience providing high-level marketing, branding, and communications expertise to clients. She has partnered with a wide range of companies, associations, and nonprofits to generate meaningful results for her clients.

Kirsten began her career on Madison Ave at ad agencies creating strategic plans and campaigns for brands like Quaker Oats, Hallmark, Crayola and a variety of personal care brands.

From there she went on to the San Francisco office of DDB Worldwide, where she led the development of integrated business units such as DDB Digital, ran new business during the dot com boom and was the Worldwide Management Director for one of DDB’s largest global accounts, The Clorox Company. This included managing international branding and agency operations for brands like Clorox Bleach, Brita Water Filters, Hidden Valley Ranch, and Kingsford Charcoal to name a few.

Sara Y.
Marketing

As a seasoned marketing, branding, and communications expert, Sara has a proven track record in marketing with a focus on developing and refining brand voice, creating content marketing strategies that drive demand, and cultivating user communities on social media.

She has successfully led transformative initiatives at dozens of high-growth SaaS startups that allowed
them to differentiate themselves from well-known competitors in crowded marketplaces, including leading an international content team for Earth Class Mail as it was acquired by LegalZoom, led brand and product marketing for a division of Kapsch TrafficCom and led multi-year consulting projects for Rice University, NYU, and H-E-B.

Sara specializes in conducting research to understand audience and customer preferences, creating integrated marketing campaigns, and offers a blend of on-the-ground action coupled with strategic planning.

Sara spent her early career as an investigative journalist, where she used public records to investigate misappropriation of tax dollars and bid tampering that led to public official indictments and widespread policy changes. Since then, she has created a wide array of content including podcasts, videos, long-form research whitepapers, email marketing campaigns and social campaigns.

CMO,
Marketing Strategies,
Brand Strategy,
Communications Specialist,
Corporate Communications,
PR & Media Relations,
Community Relations,
Crisis Management,
Digital Marketing,
SEO
Social Media,
Email Marketing,
Influencer Marketing,
Brand Partnership,
Product Launch,
Market Research,
Copywriting

Jason S.
Marketing

Jason is a seasoned marketing executive and a dynamic force in the business world, boasting an impressive record of driving innovation and executing effective marketing strategies across a wide range of industries. He emodies the role of a fractional Chief Marketing Officer.

Jason honed his leadership and operational skills as the Director of Operational Initiatives at Leeds West Groups (LWG). Tasked with overseeing the operations of more than 120 retail locations nationwide, he orchestrated key improvements in marketing, data analytics, recruitment, and fleet management, leading to significant cost savings and efficiency gains.

Jason’s early career at PwC as a Management Consulting Associate set the stage for his future successes, providing him the opportunity to drive strategic projects and optimize operations for Fortune 500 companies. This invaluable experience laid a strong foundation for his current venture, enabling him to offer strategic insights and marketing solutions tailored to the unique needs of his clients.

Joining the Canopy Advisory Group, Jason is excited to utilize his wealth of experience to help businesses unlock their marketing potential. His diverse portfolio includes leading the PR growth strategy for Ace Handyman Services, spearheading strategic projects for Personal Mini Storage, and executing high-impact events for Andrea Schumacher Interiors. He has also dedicated himself to coaching solo entrepreneurs, and has played a pivotal role in elevating Essenessë, a unique private membership community for elite female founders and business leaders.

Jason’s approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the power of data and technology, and a relentless drive to exceed customer expectations. Jason Shader Smith is your trusted fractional CMO, passionate about making life happen for entrepreneurs and small businesses across the country. His mantra? Innovation, connection, and transformation—always.