Meet
The Team
Meet The Team
Emily
Founder and Partner
Emily is the founder of North of Eight Design & Marketing. She started this dream literally in her sleep, because she remembers waking up one day thinking "I'm going to quit my job and do this on my own."
Some may call it being naive, but we like to think it's this level of fearlessness that feeds our team's can-do attitude.
Emily cut her teeth in the nonprofit sector. With razor-thin budgets, she was often the marketing department of one. She learned to be strategic and scrappy (scraptegic, if you will), and she continues to approach all projects across the North of Eight portfolio with the utmost concern for return on investment.
Current Faves
Belvita Breakfast Biscuits
Snuggles with my kiddos
Gregory Alan Isakov
Two Women (it's a beer)
Cribbage
Kassie
Partner
Kassie is Emily's partner... business partner? Compadre? She became co-owner of North of Eight Design & Marketing in July 2020 after working to build the N8 brand alongside Emily over the last two years.
This native Texan is still adjusting to these cold Wisconsin winters; however, she realizes that this career (and her husband) makes the below-zero months all worthwhile.
Before becoming a business owner 'Up North' (and after obtaining her Master of Science in Agricultural Media & Communication); Kassie spent some time on the road traveling, writing, and photographing kids & cattle through a non-profit organization in the stock show industry. Then she spent some time as the Marketing Manager for a large RV company back in Texas before making her big move to Wisconsin.
She once spent an entire semester writing up a business plan for her dream job which just so happened to be a small biz marketing agency - so, you could say she really is living her dream.
Current Faves
Tex-Mex
Red Dirt Music
The Chosen
Her Cows
Holiday's Iced Coffee
MATT
Vice President of UX Design
Meet serves as the Vice President of UX Design, which is basically a fancy way to say he makes sure all the digital work that goes out into the world is tailored to a user’s needs. With over 15 years of website design experience and his commitment to the highest-quality product possible - he has already become an invaluable member of this team.
Matt grew up in Frederic, moved to Chicago, moved BACK to the Northwoods, and is now living his best life just outside of Webster with his wife and two littles. He rides a motorcycle, too...like a badass.
Current Faves
Designing Websites
His Family
Life 'Up North'
Being Outdoors
Donielle
Chief Web Developer
Donielle is the web design wizard behind so many of our fabulous client websites. With a background in design and development, she brings both creativity and smarty-pants coding knowledge to the table. We're so stinkin' lucky to have her and I swear to God if you're reading this and attempt to poach her, I will find you.
One time in high school Donielle spent 34 hours on a Powerpoint design for a class she was already acing, so trust us when we tell you she'll bring her best work to the table every time.
Current Faves
Caffeine
Maple Scented Candles
Lake Superior
Oliver (the world's greatest cat)
Thunderstorms
Cara
PROJECT MANAGER/CONTENT MANAGER
Cara is our jack-of-all-trades. She helps us with project management, social media management and even the bookkeeping. You may not be in touch with her directly, but just know she’s a key member of our team, making all of our jobs that much easier.
Current Faves
Her children
Chocolate
Chic-fil-A
The Cha-Cha Slide
Lori
Graphic Designer
Lori is N8's secret weapon. No really. As our graphic designer, her creative vision and intense attention to detail brings our services to an entirely new level.
After camping for 12 years in the beautiful northwoods, Lori finally made Wisconsin her home in 2019 - leaving her occupation of over 20 years as an Art Director in the twin cities, working for a major retailer and national catalog company. She is a lover of nature and water, and enjoys kayaking, hiking, biking and golfing.
Current Faves
Italian Food
Being Outdoors
Graphic Design (duh!)