North Expands Operation and Design Teams with Two New Director Roles

Portland, Ore.-based agency North has brought on two new director roles as it continues to expand their operation and design capabilities.

Cindy Wade returns to North as director of operations, the role is a first for the agency. Wade will be responsible for the financial health of the agency as well as overseeing internal processes, resources and systems.

North has also hired Jon Olsen as design director to bolster the agency’s brand, UX, and print design capabilities.

Wade comes to North after nearly a decade at Mutt Industries where she led operational, accounting, contract and client management teams and helped grow the agency to a $6M, 30 person firm. The hiring marks a return for Wade who started her earlier career at North from 2003 - 2008. Wade has worked with notable brands like Nike, Coke, PlayStation, Facebook, NFL Network, Yeti, HydroFlask. Wade is also a board member and treasurer of ThinkNW, an industry trade organization focused on DEI and emerging talent.

“Cindy has been an invaluable asset to North over the years. At a time when we are growing agency revenues from projects, it just made sense to bring Cindy’s operational talents and resources back to North.” says Rebecca Armstrong, North’s chief executive officer. “She also rides a Harley, what’s not to love?”

Olsen brings nearly 20 years of design experience to North, previously holding design and creative director positions at Sandstrom Partners and Weiden + Kennedy before starting his own design studio in 2016. While at Sandstrom, Olsen created the bottle, label and brand launch activation assets for Aviation Gin. He has also designed for brands like Gerber, Mars Inc., Clif Bar, CocaCola/Hansens, Yogi Tea, Speedo and Nike.

"Data has rearranged a lot of priorities in marketing, but one remains constant: the alchemy of design,” says Mark Ray, North’s chief creative officer. “We've always believed the best work is idea and execution in equal measure, Jon is the embodiment of that. He brings to North the depth, soul, and a unique eye of someone who's worked with the best.”