Michelle M. Marks

Principal, Strategy; Managing Partner

Michelle is the candid, straight-shooting force that oversees client needs and best interests from project goals through launch. She leads the development of communication, sustainability, and creative strategies for clients—working across media to ensure all solutions meet business criteria and engage audiences. She knows good design starts with a good idea, and focuses on building the idea, concept or story that best communicates the client’s messages. Her advocacy of a content-oriented, narrative approach is rooted in careful research, thorough analysis and an unwavering desire for audiences to “get it.”

With a background in design, an inclination towards storytelling, a belief in the power of digital, and a passion for sustainability, Michelle deploys her spot-on insights to advocate for the best project outcomes. She also focuses her well-honed skills and commitment to client service toward enduring collaborations, internally and with clients.

Michelle’s work has garnered her numerous awards. She is proudest of her SmartCEO Brava Award honoring extraordinary female leaders and the fact that her wedding invitation, designed with her husband, was featured in Communications Arts Magazine.

Born and raised in Los Angeles — “arty” in a science-y family, Michelle holds a BFA in Graphic Design from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and is a member of the AIGA and the Women Presidents’ Organization.

Michelle commutes “18th Century style” — walking or biking to the IOP offices from the home she shares in the East Village with her husband, occasionally her two daughters — and Stella.

Michelle is available for speaking events and panels. Some past engagements include The Use of Visuals and Video in Investor Communications at Citi Investor Relations Academy, Moderating the ESG reporting panel for 3BL Network Effect: Charlotte, and speaking in the Baruch Masters of Communications program.