Profile / About
Strategy, voice and execution for mission-driven brands.
Communications & Brand Manager
Strategic Communications · Brand Messaging · Social & Email · CMS · Mission-Driven Public Sector Work
I'm Priya Maruthapillai, a Communications & Brand Manager with 13+ years of experience building strategic communications, campaign messaging and brand systems for public-sector, nonprofit and corporate organizations.
My background spans visual storytelling, digital content and integrated campaigns, but my focus is always the same: clarify the message, align it with the mission and deliver it consistently across channels.
Current focus
Communications Manager, Brand Manager and public affairs roles where I can contribute strategic messaging, content governance and hands-on campaign execution.
Background
Strategy to execution
I began my career in motion graphics and animation after completing graduate study in New Media & Animation at North Carolina State University. That foundation in visual storytelling evolved into a broader communications practice — one where content strategy, campaign messaging and digital publishing meet.
Today I work across strategy and execution — developing messaging frameworks, writing and editing campaign content, managing CMS-driven digital experiences and stewarding brand standards across social, email, print and stakeholder presentations.
I've created communications and brand work for organizations including Stanley Black & Decker, CALIBRE Systems, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, JD Advisors and mission-driven nonprofits. The work has contributed to measurable engagement improvements and received multiple recognitions.
I'm also exploring how generative AI can strengthen communications practice. I use emerging tools to accelerate research, messaging exploration and content development while relying on the fundamentals that remain essential: clear writing, audience focus, brand strategy and human judgment.
I'm currently interested in Communications Manager, Brand Manager and public affairs roles where I can bring strategic thinking, disciplined execution and mission-driven focus.
Career
Selected experience
JD Advisors
2025 — Present
Creative Director & Graphic Design Strategist
Own visual brand standards across print, digital, social and experiential channels, and present creative direction to senior leadership.
Brand standards, template system and governed asset library
CALIBRE Systems, Inc.
2019 — 2023
Graphic Designer III
Led the multi-year Veterans Week Campaign and created the National Guard Museum documentary intro sponsored by AT&T, produced during COVID lockdown.
+20% campaign engagement · Distinguished Service Award
American Society of Addiction Medicine
2017 — 2018
Graphic Designer, Marketing
Designed the National Addiction Treatment Week campaign and Hill Day advocacy materials across digital and print.
Gold — Association Trends All-Media Contest
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
2013 — 2015
Corporate Graphic Designer
Directed multimedia design for internal engagement platforms and rebuilt intranet experiences.
50+ videos & animations · +10% adoption · Winners Circle Award
Earlier experience
- UI/UX Designer — Yaarlo, 2012–2013
- Motion Graphics Designer — Robert Half Technology, 2011–2012
- Freelance Graphic Designer — Initiate-it, Vetha Innovations, 2015–2017
Education
Creative foundation
My foundation in animation and visual storytelling continues to shape the way I approach brand systems, motion and emerging creative technology.
2008 — 2011
MA, Art & Design — New Media & Animation
North Carolina State University
2002 — 2005
BA, Film & Animation
Multimedia University · Dean's Award
Recognition
Awards
2022
Distinguished Service Award
CALIBRE Systems, Inc.
2017
Gold — Association Trends All-Media Contest (Social Media)
ASAM · Opioid Aware Chat
2015
Winners Circle for outstanding design
Stanley Black & Decker
2012
Creator's Play — official selection, Ackland Film Forum
with UNC Chapel Hill
2009
Special effects design lead — Duel (sci-fi film, IMDb)
dir. Pavel Nikolajev