Rachel Barth

BOLD IDEAS, LASTING IMPACT

Creative leadership that blends strategy, design, and storytelling

Unique content design that bridges the print/digital gap, innovates, and inspires to create solutions for clients.

I build brands that connect people and purpose — blending strategy, design, and storytelling to drive engagement, growth, and lasting impact.

  • * Lead creative strategy for mission-driven organizations
  • • Develop integrated campaigns across print, digital, and event platforms
  • • Inspire and empower creative teams to deliver results that matter
  • • Directed brand and marketing strategy for the inaugural TotalForce+ conference, a large-scale campaign spanning print, digital, social, and paid media
  • • Led the award-winning redesign of Military Officer magazine — modernizing visual storytelling and optimizing production workflows
  • • Launched a new social media channel and brought video and asset production in house, saving budget and expanding creative capabilities
  • • Launched UX-informed website, improving user experience and engagement

Design with purpose. Lead with vision and empathy. Tell stories that move people and drive engagement.

CURRENT ROLE

Director, Creative + Visual Communications

The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA)

Focus: Brand strategy | Design direction | Marketing innovation | User experience

RELEVANT SKILLS:

• Certified Association Executive (CAE)

• UX Certified Professional

At the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA):

• Direct marketing and communications, creative strategy, and visual branding for the TotalForce+ conference, driving visibility, engagement, and attendance (2,000+ participants)

• Oversee the award-winning Military Officer magazine, managing a multimillion-dollar annual budget and leading editorial planning, content strategy, and creative production

• Apply UX-certified expertise to web design, content strategy, and user experience improvements across digital platforms

• Spearhead multimedia and digital initiatives, including new social media channel and cross-platform storytelling

• Manage and mentor a high-performing creative team, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional growth

• Align creative strategy with business objectives, balancing impact, efficiency, and budget performance


Key achievements:

• Led brand development and marketing while managing cross-functional team for inaugural conference

• Led award-winning magazine redesign, modernizing visual storytelling and optimizing production workflows

• Implemented in-house production model for video and creative assets, saving money while expanding team expertise

• Led UX-informed website creation, prioritizing user experience and engagement

• Help shape new membership strategy, conceiving of a bundled model that redefines member value


My approach combines editorial instinct, creative leadership, and UX-driven strategy – empowering teams and brands to tell meaningful stories that move audiences.


PAST WORK EXPERIENCE

More than 20 years of print and digital design, content creation and leadership

•••

Military Times Newspapers, 2007-2016

Product Designer


The Examiner Newpapers, 2002-2007

Assistant Managing Editor


The Connection Newspapers, 1998-2000

Reporter

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Lifelong learner with a growth mindset and a passion for progress

  • + Certificate in User Experience | Nielsen Norman Group
  • + Certified Association Executive (CAE) | American Society of Association Executives
  • + Getting Results Without Authority | American Management Association
  • + Leading in a Diverse & Inclusive Culture | American Management Association
  • + Leading Change: How to Inspire Others | American Management Association
  • + Women’s Leadership Academy | American Management Association
  • + Innovation & Strategic Thinking for Managers | American Management Association
  • + Leadership Academy | Poynter Institute
  • + Brand Storytelling | General Assembly
  • + Creative Lab | Society of Professional Designers
  • + M.S. in Journalism | Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University
  • + B.A. in Writing Seminars | Johns Hopkins University

AWARDS

Annual national recognition for excellence in design and creative direction


  • + Folio, Ozzie design awards | Finalist 2018-2025; Winner 2020-2021, 2025
  • + Association Media & Publishing Excel awards | Winner 2018-2020
  • + Marcom design awards | Platinum & Gold 2019-2022
  • + AVA digital award (video creation, branding) | Gold 2019, 2025
  • + American Society of Business Publication Editors | Gold 2014

RESUME

Please contact for inquiries and availability. Download resume here.