By Katy Nally

Once upon a time, Katherine cracked open a book. She was smitten. The more she read, the more she appreciated books and their ability to transport the reader. That enthusiasm grew over the years, until books and reading slowly sowed their way into her identity. By the time she moved to Seattle she had liquidated her possessions—except for her book collection. It was the one thing she couldn’t part with. Today she pays tribute to her first love by working with the Microsoft book store, writing spellbinding copy to hook readers, and promoting a happily ever after for all.

Never an idle protagonist, Katherine has taken charge of the narrative of her career. Facing a professional turning point, she decided to get her Project Management Professional certification to open new career opportunities. And she’s not stopping there. Next up is her PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner exam. All that know-how has bolstered her love of thinking strategically and building processes to achieve a goal. As a project manager at 2A, Katherine supports the Microsoft book store, leveraging her penchant for strategy to help drive the team’s marketing campaigns.

The Microsoft book store feeds her need for books—Katherine thrives amongst her fellow bibliophiles and enjoys getting an inside look at the publishing industry. She’s right at home curating and publishing lists of favorite reads, and writing snappy copy to make her lineups pop. Before joining 2A, Katherine worked as a copywriter at Zulily. Her way with words comes in handy for the Books Merchandising team, which publishes her copy on the books storefront and across various marketing channels. Her keen sense of project management, plus her writing skills keep her team highly efficient and running smoothly.

Katherine has always been dedicated to helping people live happily ever after by building a more peaceful world. In addition to her history and international studies majors, Katherine also earned a peace studies minor. Her education sparked a stint in AmeriCorps, working for the International Rescue Committee. These days she’s a member of both the Seattle-Perugia Sister City Association and Seattle-Isfahan Sister City Advocacy, which promote an inclusive and diverse city. When she sees a cause that deserves advocacy, Katherine doesn’t hold back. She’s already converted a few friends to the sustainable blockchain Burstcoin, after learning about its green solution to reduce energy waste in coin mining.

Project manager, writer and advocate all rolled into one. Let’s see how she can build your story. 

By Katy Nally

This year she traded in her pliés for a chance to pop and lock. While the moves may be new—venturing from years of ballet to freestyle hip hop—this drive to expand her breadth of expertise is Annie’s telltale MO. With a former life as a fashion buyer, a background in Middle Eastern studies, and a penchant for marketing strategy, Annie applies her multitude of perspectives to see client projects from all angles.

A historian at heart with an analytical appetite

Who says a liberal arts education is dead? Annie is living proof that you can still get your money’s worth. Studying history at the University of Washington left her with a zeal for digging into information to understand the why. That analytical appetite has come in handy when devising marketing strategies for clients. And it’s part of the reason she chose 2A. Annie relishes a good challenge, and has no fear when it comes to defusing big BOMs, aka bill of materials.

A double dawg with a business bent

Fresh out of college, Annie parlayed her passion for fashion into an internship at Nordstrom. She learned the ropes quickly and worked her way up to become a merchandise analyst. After tasting the business side of things, Annie was hungry to learn more. Turning back to UW she started her journey as a double dawg, earning her MBA at night and working full time during the day. She scored a job at Amazon where her love of marketing flourished—driving in-house fashion brands with go-to-market strategies.  

An envelope pusher with a smack of snark

Throughout her career—and equally outside of work—Annie has grown her breadth of knowledge, collecting nuggets of information in each endeavor, then pushing the envelope to learn more. Her love of learning has no end in sight—case in point the several book clubs she’s in and her well-worn library card. In each pursuit she makes it her own with a heavy dose of snark, inevitably building connections through her sense of humor and wit. It’s how her puppy earned the name Zopa, which stands for zone of possible agreement. Annie chose the name after acing negotiation tactics first in class, then later at home.

Got a new topic that Annie can sink her teeth into? Give us a call!

By Katy Nally

When you summit a 20,000-foot peak, you rely on your rope team to get to the top. If you’re traversing steep glaciers and icy slopes, it helps to know your group is linked together, and someone is there to pull you back up if you fall. With a lifetime of experience in outdoor education, our operations manager Mel Hodgman knows the value of a dependable rope team. And now that she’s at 2A, she’s making sure we all benefit from that same safety net so we can summit together.

The glue that keeps our team together

Before she came to 2A, Mel flexed her logistics muscles by coordinating mountaineering expeditions for guided groups around the world. She was the point person for each trip, making sure the crew had exactly what they needed to summit. Now she’s doing the same for our 2A office. She’s the glue that holds us all together. Whether we’re meeting on Mondays to plan our week, or onboarding new hires, Mel anticipates needs before they arise. Her instinct to snag inefficiencies before they cause trouble makes her a huge asset to our team.

The educator who leads by example

In between living in Joshua Tree National Park and summiting Mount Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside of Asia, Mel somehow made time to get her master’s in education. 2A isn’t exactly a classroom, but that hasn’t stopped Mel from teaching us a thing or two. Her human resources training has led to a more inclusive office where we all pitch in to recognize the culture contributions of our colleagues and appreciate a diverse and growing pool of perspectives.

The fearless problem solver

Making the transition from outdoor education to marketing seemed like a big leap at first, but Mel was game. Maybe it was all that mountaineering, but Mel was keen on trudging into unknown territory. She was excited to join 2A and help refine our foundational systems to maximize efficiency. She’s a natural born problem solver and digs in to find answers to new questions. She’s eternally searching for new ways to improve processes and do the job better, faster, and beneficial for all.

Put simply, Mel makes our adventures at 2A possible.

By Katy Nally

Archaeology is the search for fact, not truth. If it’s truth you’re interested in, Dr. Tyree’s Philosophy class is right down the hall. So forget any ideas you’ve got about lost cities, exotic travel, and digging up the world. We do not follow maps to buried treasure, and “X” never, ever marks the spot…

…sure Indiana Jones, sure. What that famous whip-wielding archaeologist meant was, if “X never, ever marks the spot” then you just have to look harder! An early student of Professor Jones, Amy Wagner took this idea to heart and started her quest for knowledge at a young age. Today, as a project manager with an appetite for finance, she employs her powers of discovery to unearth new skills, solve financial mysteries, and reap intrinsic rewards—with her trusty dog Indy by her side.

A collector of priceless skills

A mystical puzzle, forgotten enigma, or uncrackable pivot table? Amy will get to the bottom of it. She can’t stand it when her team encounters knowledge gaps, so she takes it upon herself to study new subjects for the greater good. Driven by the notion that it’s never too late to learn something, Amy has stacked up an impressive range of skills from motorcycle maintenance for old Suzukis to finance protocols for multi-million-dollar budgets to HAM radio lingo. Her ever-expanding knowledge means she’s the veritable database for our team.

A solver of financial puzzles

While Indiana drew a clear line between archaeology and philosophy, Amy doesn’t see it that way. As a project manager she employs tactics from both fields: she skillfully unearths new facts then digs deep to reach an expert level. Amy developed her love of philosophy in college and is always willing to debate intricate topics or unravel arguments. At 2A, she delights in the analytical rigor of her job and makes mastering complex financial systems look like a piece of cake.

A DIY-er seeking intrinsic rewards

But what about that buried treasure? For Amy, the reward is embarking on something new and the feeling of accomplishment that arrives when she inevitably aces the challenge. Whether she’s restoring her grandparents’ old mopeds or crafting fully themed Christmas ornaments for each season, Amy’s DIY nature fuels her search for intrinsic rewards.

So the next time you’re searching your financials for an X that marks the spot, call on Amy to decode your budget.

By Katy Nally

A square dance can’t happen without a caller to guide couples through upcoming do-si-dos and allemande lefts. With Laura at the mic, the dance goes off without a hitch. Keeping partners moving isn’t just her specialty on the dancefloor—it’s been the cornerstone of her career. Laura’s knack for keeping everyone in sync and her commitment to helping others is what makes her an extraordinary project manager.

Partner dedication

After college, Laura opted for two years in the Peace Corps, teaching English in a 3,000-person village in Thailand. Little did she know her role would open doors for her in the corporate world—helping companies cultivate their partnerships with Microsoft. Attracted by a dot.com boom, Laura parlayed her teaching experience in Thailand into a position at Microsoft where she managed an online training program for partners. Two decades later she’s still dedicated to partner marketing, and today serves as an adviser on the subject.

Altruistic motivation

If she could stay in Thailand, she would. It’s where she fell in love with papaya salad and tropical beaches. It’s also the place that ignited her lifelong passion for helping people that fuels her to this day. In between traveling abroad, square dancing, paddle boarding and partner marketing, Laura still manages to carve out time for nonprofit pursuits. In the past she’s helped Big Brothers and Big Sisters fine tune their marketing strategy, and these days she’s on the board of the World Association for Children and Parents.

Career circulation

Ending up at 2A was a bit of a do-si-do in itself. While working at Microsoft, Laura hired a few content experts who went on to establish 2A. She liked them so much she kept in touch, and later accepted a job at the budding agency when 2A needed someone with deep expertise in partner marketing.

In need of a caller to choreograph your marketing moves? Laura can lead your partners in the right direction.

By Katy Nally

Armed with an MBA and a computer science degree, Jerri has a knack for seeing the potential of technology to change lives, and the knowhow to make it happen. At two of Seattle’s major, international corporations—Starbucks and Microsoft—she used her background in software engineering and program management to guide development teams and nail business objectives. Jerri is a tour de force taking Seattle by storm, driven by the opportunity to uncover answers and master new skills.

Shaping product development

Straddling tech and business presents a lot of career prospects for Jerri. She found her niche at the nexus of the two—product development. As a product manager at Starbucks she worked across engineering and business teams to evolve the company’s rewards program, then deploy it throughout the Americas and support its launch in Asia. At 2A she took on a program management role within the Partner Apps Experiences (PAX) team at Microsoft, focusing on education and helping K-12 solution providers bring their products to the Microsoft Store for Education.

Managing at a global level

Not only is she fluent in tech and business, Jerri also speaks Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) and uses her skills to push the international boundaries of her career. Before joining 2A she worked on the Windows Phone team, strengthening connections in China by building strategic partnerships with in-country game developers, payment providers, and telecom giants. In that role, Jerri mastered the intricacies of cross-border collaboration to launch successful technologies.

Conquering with enthusiasm

Whether she’s launching a loyalty program in India or attracting ISVs to a new platform, Jerri gets the job done with unwavering enthusiasm. It’s how she approaches most things in life—like her international quest for the best cultural dish or her latest outdoor adventure: stand up paddle boarding on Lake Washington.

Find yourself in need of an expert translator who knows both sides of the technology coin? Jerri can help you out.

By Katy Nally

The summer slide should really be some enormous slip ‘n slide where kids glide down a grassy hill to stick it to the summer heat. Instead, I just learned, it’s when kids’ brains obliterate one month of learning over the summer and come back to school slightly dumber than when they left. But I don’t think this is a kids-only affair. As far as I can tell, adults are just as susceptible to the summer slide and also experience brain melting as the thermometer bumps into the mid-80s.

So, if you’re like me and you think your neurons might be atrophying, here are a few grammar tips to encourage a little brain exercise this summer. (And if you want more of a challenge, there’s always summer reading BINGO from the Seattle Public Library.)

By Katy Nally

What’s a jack of all trades look like these days? Coined by Shakespeare’s critics who were jealous he was both an actor and playwright, the phrase conjures someone slamming a blacksmith hammer with one hand and slaying a rabbit with the other. That can’t still be true…unless we’re in Portland. If Jesus Terriquez Camarena is any indication, today’s jacks are a little hipster, resoundingly well liked, and known for their wellspring of quick wit and moxie.

Data guru by day

His medium is data, and like Shakespeare, he can make it sing. For Microsoft, Jesus dove into seas of go-to-market data to track patterns and harpoon campaign outcomes. His degree in economics and sociology from Washington State University trained him to look beyond the dashboard and understand how data points fit into the big picture.

Bartender by night

You can’t become a jack of all trades by slowing down! For a year now, Jesus has worked as a bartender in Ballard on the weekends. At first he took the job because he wanted to learn how to make cocktails, but stuck with it even after he mastered the menu. Nights as a barback maintain the frenzied pace Jesus needs to thrive.

Mechanic on the side

Growing up in Tijuana with his industrious mom as his role model, Jesus learned the value of keeping things running. Though he got in trouble for taking apart calculators (and putting them back together) he learned a lot in his self-taught mechanics 101, which eventually helped him pay off his student loans. In college he fixed brakes and calipers at a machine shop because, why not? These skills came in handy when he started a taco truck business with a friend after graduating.

Just when it doesn’t seem possible to cram any more skills into one person, Jesus masters another trade. There’s no doubt his know-how can help your business too.

By Katy Nally

Lately, my skyline view of Seattle has taken on a War of the Worlds vibe, with a dozen robotic, yellow cranes slowly coaxing partially-constructed condos and office towers to life. As of January, Seattle had the most cranes of any U.S. city—an indication of the massive development boom and citywide growth spurt.

We’ve followed a similar trend at 2A. Founded in 2014, we’ve doubled our business each year, to the point where we outgrew our office space last month! But while the city invests in new construction to house its newcomers, we’ve opted for old construction for our new home. We’re still in Capitol Hill—this time our office is inside an old car dealership building. It was the right move for us, and we have a few things in common with the new, old space.

Attention to detail is alive and well

They just don’t make ‘em like they used to, right?! There are a lot of details to appreciate in our new home—the arched row of bricks that hover above our 10-foot windows like eyebrows, or the Douglas fir floorboards that were painstakingly nailed in place long ago. This attention to detail is something we take to heart at 2A, and it aligns perfectly with our mantra to “touch every pixel” before our work goes out the door. Being surrounded by such craftsmanship is a good reminder to take pride in the details.

Stories are sacred

If these walls could talk… As a relatively new city, Seattle doesn’t have a particularly long history, but it’s cherished in a way that keeps it relevant. Built in 1912, the Pierce Arrow Motor Car Company used our office space as its showroom. Several other car dealerships followed suit after Pierce Arrow, until REI adopted the space in the 1960s as its headquarters. Just like us, our new home knows the power and allure of stories.

Quirky is good

One of the main draws of old buildings is their character. Whether that means the hot water doesn’t work, or the floor is slowly sinking, a building’s character sets it apart and fuels its intrigue. Our new home isn’t quirky to a fault, but there is a charming freight elevator circa 1900 that probably doubles as a time portal, I just have to find the right switch. At 2A we treasure our characters, and know that personality is what makes us stand out.

1508 10th Ave. isn’t the newest building on the block, but we’ve found our best fit in an old space.

By Katy Nally

Sarah knows what to do if you’re stranded in Yemen. While working at the State Department, Sarah managed crisis situations—from helping tourists who lost their passports while on vacation, to coordinating the evacuation of U.S. citizens after an earthquake. Now an expert at fielding the hectic, Sarah brings a classy calm to 2A, and zenfully takes on even the toughest consulting curveballs. But her smooth approach is just the beginning of what she brings to the table. 

She leads with diplomacy 

At the State Department, Sarah learned how to be diplomatic from the best, and work with a range of personalities. Whether it was longtime foreign service officers or DC-based civil servants, Sarah was able to bring groups to consensus and initiate a path forward. 

At 2A, Sarah’s put her penchant for relationship-building to good use, fostering strong team dynamics both in our office and among clients. Sometimes she tells a self-deprecating joke for the greater good, or a funny story everyone can relate to. Her ability to navigate the conversation ultimately leads to better collective work. 

She aspires to the speed of twitter

Speed is important to Sarah. It’s why she chose 2A, and it’s why she can’t get enough Twitter. After a few years working for the government, Sarah noticed the drag of red tape and began to appreciate the agility of the private sector. Once she finished her MBA she sought a growing, nimble company like 2A. As a consultant, she likes being part of a team that readily takes action, and can get things done quickly.

As for Twitter, it’s Sarah’s 360 view of the world. Even though she left DC, she still keeps up with the latest political news, garnering updates from a range of voices worldwide.  

She knows how to pull the creative thread

During her first year at UW Foster, Sarah was the representative for student affairs, in charge of organizing events for her fellow classmates. It was a position that led to her unexpected love of event planning. Events like the Oscar-themed, year-end leadership dinner allowed Sarah to scratch her creative itch. And she’s been able to continue the trend at 2A. 

For the 2017 holiday season, Sarah orchestrated our fully themed, highly detailed, and unforgettable presents for clients: an Überleben Zünden fire-starter. Sarah worked with 2A designers, writers and animators to ensure the multiple components of the gift had a cohesive story, look and feel, crafted to bring out the inner ruggedness of our recipients. Bitte, Freunde.

International crises? Pressing pitch deck? There’s nothing Sarah can’t handle.