Kelly Anderson

About Kelly Anderson

Principle brand creative leader with 20+ years of experience delivering complex, customer-centered experiences across global technology platforms, including Microsoft and Amazon. I’m known for translating ambiguous ideas into aligned execution across strategy, design, brand, product marketing, product management, engineering, and research teams. As an award-winning creative director, I’ve led global teams, launched flagship products, rolled out enterprise visual identities, amplified global live flagship events, and shaped inclusive, future-forward narratives across tech, design, and photography. I’m often brought in to multiply leadership impact, steady teams through change, and raise the strategic creative bar without adding friction. I design and run team rhythms, manage design roadmaps and dependencies, facilitate critiques and workshops, and accelerate delivery through strong cross-functional alignment. I bring a unique combination of design craft, design operations leadership, and execution expertise that enables teams to move quickly while maintaining quality, accessibility, and customer trust. I’m recognized for building collaborative teams, leading organizations of 15+ designers, enabling rapid experimentation, and leveraging AI tools to improve iteration speed and decision-making in design and brand studio environments. I mentor rising leaders and advise on creative org design, AI integration, and brand storytelling. I’m always open to bold ideas and sharp conversations. Unreasonably optimistic.

Experience

1. Creative Director L Design Program Leader - Commercial Brand Design Studio

   Microsoft

   Mar 2019 — Present · Redmond, WA, US

   Lead design strategy and program delivery across enterprise marketing and brand storytelling initiatives supporting Microsoft Commercial portfolio of products. AI integration, creative direction, photography direction, integrated marketing, flagship events, culture builder. I’m highly effective at prioritization and simplification. I regularly distill complex, cross-functional challenges into focused strategies and phased roadmaps, enabling teams to move quickly and iterate with purpose. I’m a hands-on, outcomes-driven leader. I don’t stay at the strategy level—I actively collaborate with teams, remove blockers, and help shape solutions in real time. My focus is always on delivering meaningful, high-quality results that align to both user needs and business goals, while keeping projects on track and teams aligned.

Education

• Seattle Pacific University

  Bachelor of Arts, Fine Art and Design

• University of Arizona

  Graphic Design

Skills

• Corporate Branding
• Creative Direction
• Management
• Interaction Design
• Brand Development
• Branding & Identity
• Art Direction
• Graphic Design
• User Interface Design
• User Experience
• Photography
• Web Design
• Marketing
• Strategy
• Typography
• Digital Marketing
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Indesign
• Retail Packaging