Beyond the Chaos is blessed with excellent employees and contractors who help us serve and support our clients at an exceptional level. Please meet our Chaos Killers:
Laura Elliott
Senior Project Manager
Laura Elliott is a project manager based out of New York. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Laura spent some time in Chicago working with pharmaceutical advertising companies gaining project management experience. Relocated to New York, Laura spends her free time working in the theatre and film world in acting, writing, and production. Laura is Beyond the Chaos’ first employee and has been one of our Chaos Killers since August of 2017. She supports our clients with her incredible project management and process development skills.
Andrea Stevens
Project Manager
Making things work smoothly in chaotic environments is exactly what Andrea thrives on. She leverages her extensive corporate experience as a project manager, developer, tester, and business/systems analyst to understand how a variety of teams work. “A picture is worth a thousand words” is her motto, as she finds depicting processes incredibly valuable when working toward calmness and stability within a team or an organization. A recent empty-nester after six children, she and her husband live in an 1890 Minnesota farmhouse, enjoy watching their grandkids grow (too fast), and draw straws to see who gets to use their John Deere tractor for yardwork (or anything else they can think of).
Barb Murphy
Project Manager
Barb is an operations professional with diverse experience in marketing. She specializes in project management skills with a focus on continuous improvement. Barb worked for Leo Burnett for many years, most recently as Senior Vice President of Operations, but has turned in her advertising hat to help manage the unmanageable as a patient advocate for senior and disabled people. Barb is a recent empty nester to 3 college graduates (YEAH!) and lives in Westchester, IL, with her very spoiled Cockapoo, Milo. She is an avid reader and tutors 3rd grade ESL students in math.
Arin Preston
Project Manager
Arin Preston is an IT professional with a love for project management and operations. After high school, she served one tour in the U.S. Navy during the Desert Storm Era as a Weapons Tech in San Diego, Guam, and Virginia Beach. In 2003, she founded DataVast Technologies and began an IT career that, at this point, encompasses everything from Apple hardware/software support, project management, technical writing, desktop publishing, FileMaker/Web development, and remote team management. She has a Bachelor’s in IT and an MBA in Data Analytics from Colorado Technical University. Outside of Adatasol, Arin volunteers as webmaster for Connecting Hearts Ministry, an organization that supports the sponsorship of children in Guatemala. She is also a singer/songwriter, plays guitar, enjoys reading, live music, camping and exploring outdoors with her 3 rescue pups Dakota, Molly, and Oliver.
Michelle Lynn
Virtual Assistant
Behind every CEO (Chief Eradicating Officer) is the person that keeps the chaos at bay. Michelle is that person for Susan. Michelle is a skilled virtual assistant with five years of experience supporting executive levels, as well as providing social media management, lead generation, and business coordination services. Known for her focus on stellar client service, Michelle loves finding new ways to embrace her support duties. In her free time, she enjoys keeping up with the latest social media and marketing trends through podcasts and webinars. Outside of the virtual office, she spends time planning her next travel opportunity and watching mixed martial arts.
Kim
Content Manager
Kim is the team’s content manager. She is responsible for crafting compelling content to build and extend the reach of the brand. Based out of Kansas City, Kim graduated from The University of Kansas in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism. She spent her early years in Chicago working at several different advertising agencies, including Williams-Labadie where she worked with Susan. But, Kim has returned home to Kansas City. During the day, Kim keeps busy with her Consumer Insights and Analytics role at a large financial planning firm. In her free time, she can be found traveling the world (over 20 countries and counting!). Plus, she enjoys taking classes at the local art institute. Kim has been one of our Chaos Killers since February 2018.
Shannon McNair
Consultant
Shannon McNair graduated from DePaul University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Following her six-year reign at Leo Burnett Chicago, she moved to San Francisco and began freelance Customer Success and Operations roles. Additionally, Shannon works as the co-founder of a startup called DiveIn, an app that makes it easier for people to make an impact in their local community through volunteering. In her spare time, she serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with SFCASA – an organization that fights for the best interests of an abused or neglected child in the foster care system. Joining the Chaos Killers in October of 2019, Shannon supports our clients with project management and process development.
Katie Mack
Project Manager
Katie is based out of Chicago, and brings to our team over eight years of marketing agency client services, with a focus in project managing pharmaceutical projects. Katie received her undergraduate degree at Illinois State University and her MBA in Marketing from Loyola University Chicago. She spends her free time with her family of four, which includes her husband, young daughter, and two small pooches. She also keeps adding to her international travel list, which already includes visits to Southeast Asia and Europe.
Emily Garcia
Project Manager
Emily is an accomplished operations and project management leader with 15 years of experience. Her experience and expertise play a critical role in helping businesses/organizations achieve their vision to provide high-quality programs/services locally and nationally. She is well adept in handling significant activities, including oversight of all internal, day-to-day operations and supporting systems, human resources, accounting management, and assistance with all services. In addition, Emily ensures effective internal processes and communications that strengthen the business/organization’s continued success. Emily enjoys time with her family, cooking, and brain games.
Mariann Hyde
Project Manager
Mariann Hyde is a versatile project management professional. She has experience in financial services, pharmaceutical, banking, market research, and software development. Mariann has worked in both small and large size organizations but has a real affinity for small, growing companies. She started her career as a software developer in a small company, where everyone wore many hats. She moved to roles in product support, training, business analysis, and, eventually, program management. A respected leader, she prides herself on her communication and relationship management skills. With such strong project management skills, it is no surprise that Mariann also enjoys cooking and entertaining – you need a plan and you need to execute that plan for a successful dinner party!