Lauren Brady

About Lauren Brady

With an MBA in Tourism Economics and a proven track record in market research, strategic communications, and brand development, I am a data-driven leader specializing in economic impact analysis, destination marketing, and business intelligence. My career spans research leadership, publishing, advertising, and digital transformation, delivering measurable growth for government agencies, tourism boards, global brands, and corporate enterprises.At Future Partners, I transitioned from Research Coordinator to Director of Research, leading high-profile economic development, brand perception, and workforce studies across U.S. and international markets. My insights have influenced multimillion-dollar funding decisions, strategic tourism initiatives, and destination branding efforts for clients like Destination Canada, Salt Lake City, Napa Valley, and Columbia, SC. I also pioneered AI-driven research workflows, optimizing project efficiency and data visualization for executive-level decision-making.Previously, as National Advertising Director for Smoky Mountain Living, Smoky Mountain News, Blue Ridge Motorcycling Magazine, and Down the Road Music of the Southeast, I developed multimillion-dollar advertising strategies, boosted digital engagement by 45%, and collaborated with global brands like Harley-Davidson and Dollywood, as well as CVBs, DMOs, and state tourism departments. I managed editorial, marketing, and publishing strategies that positioned these publications as leading media platforms in the Southeast.Beyond publishing, my background includes destination and economic development, multi-channel marketing, and large-scale event leadership. At YES! Weekly, I spearheaded Margarita Wars, a high-profile Triad event with attendees, working with city leaders on zoning, sponsorships, vendor relations, and brand activations. My expertise extends to media coverage of council meetings, grand openings, and economic impact reports, ensuring seamless alignment between public sector initiatives and private industry growth.A certified PMP, Advanced SEO strategist, and AI-driven analytics expert, I bring cross-industry leadership, high-level stakeholder engagement, and results-driven strategic planning to every initiative. Explore my work:

Experience

1. Director of Strategy and Growth

   Groundx

   Mar 2024 — Present

   Lead strategy and growth initiatives for organizations navigating complexity, change, and scale. Own the development of clear strategic direction across brand, growth, media, and modern systems, ensuring alignment between vision, execution, and long term outcomes.Translate insight into action by diagnosing challenges, identifying opportunities, and designing growth systems rooted in people, place, trust, and real world context. Guide decision making that reduces wasted effort, clarifies priorities, and strengthens credibility over time.Direct brand positioning and market strategy efforts, including audience understanding, search and discovery, visibility planning, and applied media systems. Ensure positioning and growth strategies are grounded in reality rather than trends, with a focus on clarity before scale.Apply AI and modern tools thoughtfully to improve efficiency, consistency, and insight while preserving human judgment, relationships, and contextual understanding. Evaluate where technology adds value and where restraint supports stronger outcomes.Design and support partnership driven growth initiatives that strengthen presence, collaboration, and reach through proximity and alignment rather than volume or noise. Advise on local and community based growth strategies that reinforce trust and long term impact.Provide senior level advisory support through strategic frameworks, growth roadmaps, and decision guidance that enables leaders to move forward with confidence. Balance strategic thinking with practical execution to ensure ideas translate into measurable progress.Draw on deep experience in strategy, marketing research, and business consulting to support complex environments across public, private, and nonprofit settings. Lead with integrity, discernment, and a commitment to sustainable growth built on clarity, discipline, and stewardship.

Education

• Colorado State University

  MBA, Tourism Economics

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Tourism Economics and International Business

  2014 — 2017

• Bryan School of Business and Economics at UNCG

  Study Abroad - Costa Rica , Independant Study on Cultural Immersion

  2016