She understands, that before anything else, this is a business of concepts and ideas, and she generates ideas, targeted, impactful, innovative ideas, and brings them to life as often and as quickly as you and I blink. But talent without PRIDE will get you just so far, and she is head and shoulders above the rest precisely because her pride matches her immense talent. Gretchen is a rare person, and a very rare talent. She can lift an agency to great heights.

—J. Wolff
Former Group CD, Jordan Chase McGrath
Deputy CD, Satchi & Satchi
Group CD, Grey Advertising
Agency Troubleshooter, J Walter Thompson

Gretchen, or Gretch as I lovingly refer to her as, is one of the best creatives I have ever worked with. What makes her the best? Most likely it’s all of her other, undesigner-like, skills coupled with her immense design chops—the skill set that elevates a designer into the creative director stratosphere. She’s funny, smart, intuitive and most importantly, she gets it—It, being: people, brand, content, design, and why design needs to be more than just pretty. She demands that design say something about a brand that connects and engages in a unique, authentic way.

We worked on one project together and like a crack addict looking for his next back ally hit, I’ve been jonesing for my next Gretch fix ever since. Gretch? Gretch?!

—K. Seavitt
President, Hypercreative inc.
Formerly at BBDO, Leo Burnette, J Walter Thompson

Gretchen is one of my greatest design mentors. Her creative direction and design style is clean, smart, full of great ideas and appropriately humorous when needed. Her work is flawless from print to web design. She can do it all and do it very well. Her high level of design expertise and creativity continues to inspire my own work on a daily basis—helping me get to where I am today in my career.

—David Gorham
Freelance Graphic Designer

I have worked with 100’s of graphic artists and most of them are good. BUT, every once in a while, I have come across an artist who is not only a single star, but an entire galaxy. This would describe Gretchen. 

She handles herself with grace and integrity. Clients love her and love her work. Her creative makes clients more enthusiatic about their own projects.

While she was at Davis Advertising, she mentored many new graphic artists and co-managed the department. She is decisive about what she wants, but remains gentle and kind to those around her.

Gretchen deserves the highest praise.

—Tisha Geeza
Sr. Account Executive, Davis Advertising

I worked with Gretchen for two years at Davis Advertising. I’ve been a graphic designer for over 25 years and she has been one of my favorite people to work with. She is kind, supportive, and one of the most talented people I have known over the years. She has a calm about her and a sense of humor that puts people at ease. She critiqued work honestly and intelligently, asked great questions, and offered help to get designs on the right track.

—Alyson Lee
Lead Creative Services Specialist, Monitor Deloitte

As a young, inexperienced, and dangerously naive copywriter, it was invaluable to work directly with a creative as thoughtful, skilled and patient as Gretchen. She made me a better writer, a better thinker. Now, as a senior writer working with young and experienced designers alike, I feel even more fortunate to have conspired so closely with someone of her incredible talent and passion. She lives, breathes, and cares about this stuff more than most anyone I’ve known before or since, and it’s something that’s just so damn hard to find.

—A. Primeau
Senior Copywriter, BEAM Interactive

Ever wondered how to take a project to the next level? Work with Gretchen. I had the distinct honor of working with her for the duration of several projects. She brought calm and thoughtfulness to complex situations and used her sharp wit and uncanny sense for design to create first-class work. Best yet she inspired not only myself but the entire team to be better designers. She is an open-minded, original, creative force-to-be-reckoned-with, and as a director leads the pack in brilliance and creativity.

 
—K. Wolting
Senior UX Designer, Atomic Design

Gretchen Hehlo’s attention to detail and willingness to take on roles outside of her required responsibilities sets her apart. Gretchen extends beyond her expected role by being our Ross Brand Expert. She is a bridge-builder for Ross by working with student groups, centers/institutes and clubs on the brand. People know they can count on her to deliver the right items and help them avoid wasting time and money.

Her joy and enthusiasm for the Ross brand clearly reflects in her work and the people that deal with her inside and out of MarComm. The way she works with others, a joy to all, really helps the sensitive nature of being critical of another’s design. People come away not offended but empowered.

—Managing Director of Creative
Michigan Ross Marketing & Communications

I worked with Gretchen at Davis Advertising for six years. As an Account Executive, it was a pleasure working closely with her on projects such as bank branding, including brand guidelines, creative for college campaigns, viewbooks, and so much more. During that time, Gretchen rose above every challenge, communicated graciously in client meetings, developed outstanding creative, strengthened concepts, and added new ideas. Gretchen is an extremely talented, kind and patient person who would be a dynamic creative director and an asset to any organization.

—Barbie Bell
Account Executive, Davis Advertising

During my time working with her in Advertising, Gretchen delighted us all with her lively brand of zany humor and quirky creative concepts. She always seemed to draw from a bottomless well of creative inspiration.

—Lyndsay Mazzola
Visual Design Manager, Mobile and Gamification

Gretchen has proven herself invaluable in the creation of our brand management website. She was responsible for all technical, design and administrative activities, and was instrumental in the development of a structured design template for packaging—a key accomplishment, and the foundation for creating a consistent packaging system.

She is customer focused; demonstrates a bias for achieving results while being attentive to details and accuracy; and sets high standards for herself while pursuing objectives with a sense of urgency. Gretchen is a team player. She engages the customer and creates a work environment that is characterized by participation, involvement and continuous learning.

—T. Tyndorf
Director, Company Identity, BD Medical Devices

Gretchen not only presented top rate creative, but the technical experience to efficiently and intelligently execute any project. In the agency, we often relied on Gretchen to deliver the unexpected solution to a creative problem. With a quirky sense of humor and a great smile, Gretchen was always engaged with the agency team and her clients—extremely well-liked and pleasant to be around. Gretchen would make a great addition to any company that is interested in the complete package—talent, creativity, personality and attitude. If I can be on any assistance, please feel free to contact me. 

—M. Moallemian
CD, HexArmor

I worked with Gretchen for six years at Davis Advertising where she quickly earned a great deal of respect from everyone around her. She had a great design sense and took charge of all projects that came her way.

As a fellow designer, she challenged me to be a better designer and creative—always bringing out the best of my abilities. I suggest you take advantage of this opportunity, and add her to your team.

—Jeffery Sweet
Art Director, Davis Advertising

Gretchen has a magnificent creative mind and a wonderful collaborative spirit. Intellectually, I haven’t worked with anyone who can compare. Her tenacity and professional pride produce an amazing end product every time. I would ALWAYS turn to her for any creative conceptual support I need(ed). Plus, she has a robust sense of humor!

—Lori Schafer
Owner, LS+PR

I knew I wanted to get into advertising since I was 15 years old. Most kids want to play in the Superbowl, I just wanted to make a spot that appeared in one. I started in 2005 and Gretchen was one of the people who played an integral role in my growth as an account person. As an incredibly talented creative, she challenged my thought processes and made me rethink what was possible.

—Adam Levine
Senior Account Manager, Davis Advertising