Hey. It’s me, Montana.

I’ve always loved consuming and telling stories. Sometimes, I even invent new words to do it. Exhibit A: Carolina-fornian. As in, I’m from North Carolina but have laid down roots in Northern California. So, both places feel like home. The way I see it, life is full of nuance, and that’s what makes storytelling so powerful. Nothing is ever just one thing or the other—just like me.

I’m a creative copywriter, a strategic problem-solver, and a firm believer that birthday cake is not just for birthdays. So, naturally, I’m always striving to make the little moments feel big. Whether I’m crafting narratives for a new audience or sending a new climbing route, I’m all for finding a path forward that does the most good.

With seven years of experience and a Master’s degree in Advertising, I’ve built a career on creating impactful, people-first campaigns that drive real change. When I’m not busy writing, you can find me diving into a good book, getting my warrior pose on, or belting my heart out to an earworm-y musical number. If all else fails, search for my two tabby cats, who I happen to be obsessed with, and you’re sure to find me.

What’s in a name?

People have a lot of presumptions about my name. Here are just a few of the reactions that I get when I meet someone new:

  • “Oh, like Hannah Montana!” Nope, I came before her. Though, this did make a killer Halloween costume for me one year.

  • “Your parents must be big fans of Joe Montana.” Wrong again. My family is more into fútbol, not football.

  • “Are you from Montana?” North Carolina, actually. Though I’ve lived most of my last decade in California. Confusing, I know.

  • “Were you CONCEIVED in Montana?” That’s none of your business, but no. Fun fact: this one came from my mother-in-law of all people. We can laugh about it now.

  • “You know what? I laid my father to rest in Montana.” This is my personal favorite. Nothing says “How do you do?” like a good conversation about death.

When I was a kid, I sometimes wished I was a “Maddie” or a “Monica” in order to avoid all the Q&A sessions. I even got to try on those names when teachers or random acquaintances called me them by mistake. But, after years of being greeted with such colorful remarks, I’ve grown accustomed to getting creative and adapting. I’ve grown confident and resilient in my own skin. I’ve grown into my name.

These are just a few of the reasons why I think I make a great storyteller, writer, marketer, and teammate. Perhaps that’s the real reason my parents named me Montana; they knew I’d need a big name to go big places and make big changes. Which I intend to. (: