Kind Words From Colleagues

Recommendations

Former Supervisor // Visionary Nonprofit Leader

Donna Jacobson, MSW

It is my pleasure to recommend Lindsey Engelhardt, an outstanding Marketing Manager and Graphic Designer. I had the privilege of working closely with Lindsey at the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University, where she consistently transformed complex ideas into clear, compelling communications that elevated our brand and deepened engagement with our audiences.

Lindsey brings a rare combination of creative excellence, strategic thinking, and exceptional follow‑through. She sees both the fine detail and the broader vision—an invaluable skill that allowed her to build consensus, keep projects mission‑aligned, and deliver polished, on‑brand work with remarkable speed and accuracy. She collaborates seamlessly across teams, anticipates needs before they arise, and approaches every assignment with professionalism and genuine curiosity.

Lindsey rose to every challenge, and quickly became my go‑to partner for high‑stakes projects—including developing new mission and vision statements, crafting our theory of change, and leading the design and development of a new website. I trusted her implicitly: she understood the project and my perspective immediately, met every deadline, and consistently produced work that was clear, cogent, and far exceeded expectations.

I am convinced that Lindsey can excel at anything she sets her mind to and I enthusiastically recommend her to any organization seeking an innovative, thoughtful professional with both creative and strategic strength.

Former Classmate // Creative Systems Leader

Caleb West

I met Lindsey in college when we worked together at the college newspaper, and we became quick friends. From the start, I learned a lot from her. At the time, I was more of a sporadic designer — lots of ideas, not always a clear system — and Lindsey was the one who brought strategy and structure into the room.

Looking back, I don’t think I realized how much her mentorship and example would shape the way I approach design. She’s obviously creative and full of great ideas, but what really sets her apart is how she pairs that creativity with thoughtful planning and leadership. She doesn’t just think about the design — she thinks about how the team works, how the process flows, and how to build something that actually holds together.

If I were building a design company and needed someone to bring organization, clarity, and strong creative leadership, Lindsey would be one of the first people I’d call. She has a way of fully understanding the problem, defining the solution, and then intentionally delegating work based on people’s strengths. She knows how to structure a team so everyone is set up to do their best work.

On any project, I’d trust Lindsey to step in as a creative director and keep the big picture aligned while making sure the details don’t slip. She has the strategic mindset and steady leadership you want guiding a team — and she’s more than ready to move into creative direction.

Any team would be lucky to have her.

Former Student // Web Developer & Digital Designer

Brianne Wiekebnicki, MS

I had the privilege of learning under Lindsey Engelhardt in two of my Master’s degree design courses at Aurora University. Lindsey brings a fresh perspective on design, often challenging us to think beyond aesthetics and focus on the deeper purpose behind design. Her feedback was always thoughtful, insightful, and encouraged us to push our ideas further. She gave us great insight into how design communicates, solves problems, and connects with an audience. 

One area that stands out was Lindsey’s commitment to mentorship. During our weekly office hours, she opened up a space to build creativity and confidence in our design skills. Her natural ability to build curiosity helped guide us as we brainstormed and developed our design concepts. 

Any team would be incredibly fortunate to have Lindsey. Her mentorship, leadership, and dedication to developing others make her an exceptional asset to both designers and organizations alike!

Former Direct Report // Full Stack Software Engineer & Senior Graphic Designer

Abner Nieves

I’ve had the privilege of working with Lindsey, and she is truly an exceptional Creative Director. She combines deep design expertise with kindness, respect, and a leadership style that empowers. Her approach creates space for growth, encouraging others to take ownership while feeling fully supported.

Lindsey has a great understanding of graphic design fundamentals with an artistic eye, and is deeply committed to fully accessible design, ensuring work is both inclusive and impactful. As an presenter with CreativePro Network, she brings clarity, empathy, and real-world insight to every interaction. I highly recommend her as a creative leader who genuinely elevates the people around her.

Former Direct Report // Senior Graphic Designer & Marketer

Kelly May, MBA

Lindsey is the kind of supervisor you hope you’ll get when you start a new job. She is kind and respectful, but also truly passionate about her work. She seeks out opportunities to grow her own skills and encourages her staff to do the same. Lindsey is an incredibly talented designer and has all the qualities of a leader that I aspire to be. I am grateful to have had the experience to work under her leadership, and she would be an incredible asset to any team she joins.

Colleague, CreativePro // Award-winning Adobe Educator, Speaker, Author, and Designer

Khara Plicanic

I had the pleasure of working with Lindsey when I was programming events for CreativePro and invited her to speak on accessible design. From the start, it was clear she doesn’t just understand accessibility, she understands how it fits into the bigger picture of thoughtful, responsible creative work.

As a speaker and collaborator, Lindsey is thoughtful, articulate, and incredibly prepared. She brings both credibility and warmth that naturally earns trust. I could absolutely see her thriving in any role where she can guide vision, elevate standards, and champion inclusive design at a leadership level.

Any team would be lucky to have her and I’d always be happy to work with her!