A seasoned creative director, writer, and filmmaker, Chris brings 20 years of experience across advertising, branding, storytelling, journalism, and education. Over the years, he’s played a leadership role in projects for global brands including Microsoft, Mastercard, and Sony, as well as DC-based companies ranging from National Geographic to Ditto Residential and beyond. Chris is the founder/operator of DC’s Little Salon, founder of the award-winning international literary magazine Ninth Letter, and founding editor of the downstate Illinois digital daily news site Smile Politely. He earned an undergraduate degree in English literature from Dickinson College and an MFA in creative writing from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.