Kimberly Dixon-Mays, Ph.D.
Raised from multiple generations of educator-artists, Kimberly is hard-wired to find good questions as well as good answers, in order to foster collaborative creativity. Her passion: creative actions that are informed, inspired, and impactful.
Kimberly has led insights and creative strategy for branding, communications and innovation for multi-national, startup and nonprofit clients. She has also led numerous business development pitches, and has been a key contributor to establishing firms’ new insight/strategy practices.
Kimberly has worked as a consultant and in agency Planning roles at Edelman (PR), Leo Burnett and DDB Chicago/Amsterdam (advertising), and Webb deVlam (design). Her category experience includes industry and professional associations; financial services; personal electronics; retail; quick-service restaurants, pharmaceuticals and biotech; and consumer packaged goods. At DDB Kimberly co-led development of an Effie-winning communications strategy for State Farm; at Edelman she was twice-nominated for Edelman’s office-wide Pursuit of Excellence award, and received a Courage to Do the Right Thing award.
Kimberly has also been an arts leader, serving as Executive Director (operations and programming) for live literature presenter Guild Literary Complex, and has helped several other arts and cultural organizations develop programming and audience strategies as a consultant and volunteer. More on Kimberly’s past work
Prior to starting her career in insights and strategy, Kimberly earned a B.A. in psychology/theater studies from Yale University, a M.A. in Afro-American studies from UCLA, and a Ph.D. in interdisciplinary theatre & drama (Women’s Studies concentration) from Northwestern University. She continues to be an avid poet, playwright and performer. More on Kimberly’s writing and performance