Hi, I’m Kathy, founder of MH brand+design.
I make work that matters FEEL like it matters.
I’m a fractional creative director and hands-on designer, and MH brand+design is my studio. I help Healthcare, Mission-Driven & Greater-Good companies build brands bigger than their size. My whole career has been spent taking work that’s serious, technical, and genuinely hard to explain—medical, healthcare, mission-driven—and shaping it into something people understand and believe. I specialize in translating complex ideas into compelling visuals that elevate organizations. The visuals are the vehicle; the experience behind them is what makes them work.
How I work
I partner with founders, in-house marketing teams, and agencies—setting creative direction, doing the actual work, and seeing it through. Where I earn my keep is the in-between moments: when you’re growing, repositioning, launching something new, or realizing your brand hasn’t caught up to how good your work has gotten. That’s the gap I close. I’ve worked fully remote for years and slot easily into teams across disciplines and time zones—ready to collaborate without adding to your headcount or your headaches.
“Kathy is not only talented, but also collaborative, responsive, and deeply committed to doing great work. She has a way of understanding the heart of a project and translating that into visuals that really connect with people. I’m incredibly grateful for the creativity and care she brings to everything she does and would recommend her without hesitation.”
–Robin Bement, Founder, Army Pink
What I do
Senior creative direction and hands-on design, from strategy through finished, ready-to-use work:
Brand strategy & positioning — who you are, and how you show up
Logo & visual identity systems — the mark, and the whole system around it
Brand guidelines & brand books — consistency no matter who builds next
Campaigns & integrated advertising — print, digital, experiential, video, outdoor
Marketing materials & presentation decks — the pieces that do the daily work
Packaging & environmental design — where your brand meets the physical world
Creative direction & team leadership — one clear vision when the work needs more than one person
When a project needs something more—copywriting, web development, specialized strategy—I bring in trusted partners I’ve vetted myself, so you get one clear vision instead of five vendors to manage.
“Kathy is one of the most innovative, professional, principled and FUN people I have ever had the privilege to work with! She makes projects stand out visually and creates work that resonates and is memorable.”
–Carrie Agnew, Account Executive
Experience Highlights:
Founder of MH brand+design (formerly Miley Hallen Design): Built and led award-winning studio that specializes in nonprofit and healthcare work.
Creative Director at The Matchstick Group: Led national healthcare and medical campaigns that helped land the agency on MM&M’s “Ones to Watch” for over seven years.
Art Lead (ACD) at The Bosworth Group: Built long-lasting brands, directed internal and external teams, and produced creative work across print, digital, animation, and video.
Working primarily in smaller agencies has kept me nimble and deeply involved in the work—from first idea to final execution. When there’s no safety net, you learn to stay sharp, think clearly, and own the details. You can see my full resume on LinkedIn.
“Kathy is a wonderful collaborator and colleague, and is liked by everyone—including clients. She’s smart, articulate, strategic-minded, unfailingly dedicated, and fast—able to make difficult deadlines while maintaining a calm, collected demeanor that is so essential when the pressure’s on.”
–Katherine Watkins, Freelance Healthcare Copy Creative (and partner of 6 years)
A few brands I’ve worked with
BD Products • Avery Dennison Medical • Abiomed • Cordis • Synergy Surgical • NasaClip • College of Charleston Avery Center For African American History and Culture • Charleston City Ballet • Purple Tutu • Still Mountain Wellness Retreat • Army Pink • Bikram Yoga • Charleston Veterinary Referral Center
And a little extra proof
• 40+ creative awards, including Telly Awards, ADDYs, PICA, and HMR Healthcare Awards
• 8-time winner, American Graphic Design Awards
• Creative contributor to an Inc. 5000 and MM&M “Ones to Watch” agency
• United Way annual report ranked top 3 in the country
Still have questions? Check out the FAQs.