(414) 614-2989
jbrake73@mail.com
linkedin.com/in/jenbrake

Strategic marketing and growth executive with 25+ years of experience accelerating revenue, building brands, leading enterprise initiatives, and developing high-performing teams. Proven success driving multimillion-dollar growth across manufacturing, construction, insurance, ecommerce, healthcare, and consumer products organizations. Recognized for aligning business strategy with marketing execution, creating governance frameworks that improve organizational performance, and transforming marketing and account management functions into enterprise growth drivers.

Team Leadership
Marketing Operations
Brand Strategy
Digital Marketing
Revenue Growth
Customer Experience
Go-to-Market Strategy
Advertising - Digital, Print, PPC
Social Media
Content Marketing & Creative 
Executive Communications
Product Marketing
Campaigns and Promotions
Website and Ecommerce including SEO
Email Marketing
Budgeting
KPI's, Analytics & Data Analysis
Market Research, VOC & Segmentation
Event Marketing & Tradeshows
Branding, Merchandising and Packaging
B2B, B2B2C and DTC Marketing

Sales Growth
Contributed to 81% sales growth representing more than $40M in revenue. 
Grew a flagship brand from $27M to $75M in annual revenue within three years.

Team Leadership
Built and developed high-performing marketing teams of up to 12 direct and indirect reports.

Strategic Planning
Directed one-year, three-year, and 10-year strategic planning processes, including SWOT analysis, goals setting forecasting and budgeting with team of organizational leaders.

Brand and Marketing Strategy
Directed marketing strategy across $225M North America brand portfolio, including budget, branding, packaging, channel marketing and communication (10 premium brands). 

Market Research
Spearheaded quantitative and qualitative market research studies and competitive analysis to identify consumer attitudes and buying behavior, translating results into actionable marketing plans.

Digital Success
Generated $2.5M in revenue through digital marketing and demand generation programs. Increased website visits by 65%, web leads by 25%, and sales by 10% through website and e-commerce development.

Marketing Campaigns
Managed $30M–$40M annual marketing investments, including Amazon and digital channels.

Product Launches
Led 100+ product launches, rebrands, and go-to-market initiatives.

Enterprise Impact
Designed enterprise governance, intake, prioritization, and reporting frameworks that transformed Account Management into a strategic business partner.

Marketing Portfolio Planning Manager
New York Life Insurance Company / Contractor,  February 2025 - Present
Elevated Account Management from a tactical function into an enterprise strategic partner supporting portfolio planning, intake, prioritization, and governance processes across multiple Lines of Business.

• Designed and implemented the organization's first Account Management Portfolio Database, providing enterprise-wide visibility into initiatives, resources, capacity, and outcomes.
• Developed governance frameworks, intake processes, prioritization models, and portfolio management standards that improved strategic alignment and resource allocation across business units.
• Delivered executive portfolio dashboards, health reporting, strategic roadmaps, and leadership presentations that improved decision-making, portfolio transparency, and organizational alignment.
• Architected the future-state Workfront framework, including intake strategy, project taxonomy, workflow governance, portfolio hierarchy, and reporting standards to support scalable operational maturity and future enhancements.
• Introduced financial accountability structures and chargeback planning models that strengthened transparency and stakeholder engagement.
• Created internal advocacy, communications, and change-management tools that increased adoption, reinforced value, and positioned Account Management as a trusted enterprise partner.

Marketing Consultant
Brandedge Marketing Solutions / Freelance,  February 2019 - Present
Advise clients on marketing strategy, branding, content marketing, and communication in construction, education, healthcare, and consumer product markets.

• Planned and managed execution of marketing plans, strategies and promotional programs that drive awareness and revenue.
• Developed marketing plans, branding, communications and promotional strategies.
• Designed and developed websites, including graphics, content creation, and keyword research.
• Created marketing collateral, including brochures, flyers, briefs.

Director of Marketing
Summit Safety dba HiVis Supply, February 2024 - September 2024
Directed integrated brand and marketing strategy for HiVis Supply and Dome75 brands.

• Increased sales by 12% through promotional campaigns, educational content and customer engagement activities.
• Generated $2.5M in revenue through PPC campaigns, email marketing, social media, ecommerce, and digital demand generation programs.
• Led a five-person marketing team responsible for customer engagement, conversion, and building brand awareness through advertising, email campaigns, search optimization, page design, and social media.
• Improved e-commerce product sales by 10% designing initiatives based on seasonal trends, product roadmaps, inventory, and vendor relationships.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams, including sales, product development, and merchandising, to ensure alignment and consistency in messaging and branding.

Director of Brand Marketing
Hultafors Group North America, December 2020 – February 2023
Member of the Executive leadership team. Launched, managed and promoted hardware and PPE brands to drive brand awareness, retail growth and market share. Brands include: Johnson Level, Hultafors Tools, Custom Leathercraft, Kuny’s, Martinez Tools, ScanGrip, Hults Bruk, Snickers Workwear, Solid Gear Footwear and Hellberg Safety.

• Directed brand strategy and integrated marketing execution for a portfolio of 10 premium global brands representing approximately $225M in annual revenue across North America.
  
• Spearheaded enterprise-wide Voice of Customer (VOC) research initiatives, uncovering insights that influenced brand strategy, product innovation, customer experience, and commercial planning.
• Led development of brand platforms, positioning frameworks, value propositions, messaging architecture, visual identity systems, and communication strategies that transformed brand perception and strengthened competitive differentiation.
• Directed integrated marketing initiatives spanning ecommerce, Amazon, SEO, SEM, digital advertising, email marketing, influencer partnerships, retail merchandising, social media, PR, and trade events.
  
• Managed more than 100 product launches, rebranding initiatives and commercialization programs across multiple product categories and distribution channels.
• Led and developed a team of eight direct reports and three indirect reports while managing agency partners and external resources.
• Partnered closely with executive leadership, sales, engineering, product management, and customer service teams to align business strategy with customer-focused marketing execution.

Marketing Manager
Hultafors Group North America, February 2019 – December 2020
Led branding, marketing, and communications for Johnson Level and Hultafors Tools brands in North America.

• Increased brand visibility by 20% through omnichannel marketing, branding, communications, Amazon, SEO, advertising, event marketing, and social media initiatives.
• Established brand positioning and executed brand guidelines and brand-building initiatives including packaging, merchandising, retail displays, and print and digital content.
• Expanded team capability by building and leading a 4-member marketing team.
• Launched 45+ products using integrated campaigns spanning retail, digital, PR, influencer, and trade channels.
• Optimized digital and offline marketing efforts, including Amazon, SEO, email campaigns, advertising, event marketing and social media.

Marketing Manager
Marking Services, Inc., April 2013 – November 2018
Led brand communications, marketing team and market strategies for B2B (business to business) global industries including energy, oil & gas, marine & offshore, food processing, and commercial buildings.

• Drove 20% global business growth through strategic marketing initiatives and market expansion.
• Led digital transformation initiatives including website strategy, ecommerce development, SEO, demand generation, marketing automation, analytics, and content marketing.
• Designed and launched three global websites and an ecommerce platform supporting more than 37,000 standard and custom products, increasing website traffic by 65%, lead generation by 25%, and sales by 10%.
• Developed an internal electronic ordering system, streamlined ordering process and increased order accuracy while reducing costs by 30%.
• Built and led the company's first marketing department.

Marketing Manager
Serigraph, Inc., January 2006 - April 2013
Directed marketing strategies for eight business units increasing revenue and growing market share. Verticals: Automotive, Appliance, Consumer Electronics, Industrial, Medical, QSR, Sporting Goods, Retail 

• Increased online traffic by 137% and engagement by 20% through inbound marketing initiatives including development of blog, social, email and nurturing campaigns.
• Conducted 20+ targeted market studies identifying new customers, industries, and growth opportunities.
• Designed website to highlight company brand and service capabilities.
• Built integrated CRM system tracking prospecting and sales opportunities.
• Improved ROI by 25% for trade shows and showcases building audience engagement.
• Designed 100+ product sell sheets, brochures, service literature, customer focused sales presentations, and other marketing collateral.
• Increased online presence by 35% by managing social media accounts for optimal engagement.

Bachelor Of Arts – Business Administration
Cardinal Stritch University – Milwaukee, WI
2005 – 2008
3.9 GPA
Activities and societies: Habitat for Humanity

Associate of Arts – Marketing
Waukesha County Technical College – Waukesha, WI
1994 – 1996
3.5 GPA
Activities and societies: Wisconsin Marketing and Management Association
Treasurer - WMMA Waukesha Chapter

• Adobe Creative Suite, Canva
• Microsoft Office
• WordPress, Squarespace, Magento, EPiServer eCommerce/CMS, Titan CMS, InstaPage, FileMaker Pro
• Google Analytics, AdWords, LinkedIn Ads, Meta Ads, Microsoft Ads, SEM Rush
• Hubspot, Hootsuite, Later Social
• Monday, Slack, Microsoft Teams Tasks, Basecamp,
  
• Constant Contact, Klayvio
• ChatGPT, Copilot, Algolia, Jasper, Grammarly
• SharePoint, OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox
• Salesforce,  Dynamics CRM
• SPSS Statistics,  Access, Hot Metal Pro 
• Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Vimeo, LinkedIn, TikTok
• Reputation, Yatpo

Team Leadership, Digital Marketing, Brand Management, Content Marketing, Social Media, Marketing Management, Strategic Planning, Communication, Campaign Development, CRM, Market Research & VOC, Product Marketing, Advertising, Analytics, Copywriting, Search Engine Optimization, Budgeting, Blogging, Merchandising, Packaging, Email Marketing, Event Marketing, Project Management, Video Production

Pro-active and Responsible, Strategic Thinker, Creative Problem Solver, Detail Oriented and Organized, Positive Team Leader and Teammate, Committed and Hard-working. Excellent Collaboration, Excellent Multi-tasking, Suburb Oral/written Communication. Excellent Copywriting and Editing, Outstanding Project Management, Analytical and Budget Driven