pioneer of a new perspective
*
transcendentally unexpected
*
aesthetically inclined
*
a complete + total generalist
*
pioneer of a new perspective * transcendentally unexpected * aesthetically inclined * a complete + total generalist *
pioneer of a new perspective
*
transcendentally unexpected
*
aesthetically inclined
*
a complete + total generalist
*
pioneer of a new perspective * transcendentally unexpected * aesthetically inclined * a complete + total generalist *
looking for a fresh perspective?
No one rethinks place quite like an economist with a background in luxury brand strategy and creative leadership.
With a mind for strategy and an eye for design, I help small communities turn ideas into places people love.
recent projects
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![Presentation cover for final MFA thesis titled, "Prestige Placemaking in the U.S."]()
MFA Graduate Thesis
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![Cover for research paper introducing a Past-Forward Strategic Revitalization Plan for Champaign County, Illinois]()
Preservation Plan, Course Project
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![Cover for data storytelling video, "Tourism and Immersive Art"]()
Data Storytelling, Course Project
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User Experience, Course Project
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Scenario Planning, Course Project
looking to grow together?
From mapping a shared vision to rallying around a desired goal, I am here
to support your community’s journey toward a more prestigious future.
With a flexible approach that sees every place as truly unique, I offer a design-led, outcome-based process with the potential to transform the perceptions of your residents and guests.
Plant a seed below for details.
about
Lauren works at the intersection of luxury and leadership, bringing a refined, design-forward lens to small-town revitalization. Her background in fashion and luxury brand strategy has evolved into a passion for creative placemaking—helping rural communities reimagine what’s possible through thoughtful design and experiential storytelling.
She is the former Finance Manager of Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana, Illinois, and holds a BBA in Economics with a minor in Data Analytics from Kent State University, where she spent a summer abroad studying at the London School of Economics. Most recently, she earned her dual MFA/MA from the Savannah College of Art and Design, where her research focused on building brand equity through immersive, community-based experiences. Today, she works part-time at her local Chamber of Commerce.
A born-and-raised Midwesterner, Lauren grew up in Philo, Illinois—the self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe.” Today, she lives in a town of just 148 people, a place that continues to inspire her work with small, ambitious communities across the U.S.