Leadership
Leadership
Cheryl Aufdemberge
President
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Cheryl is passionate about digital marketing and in helping her clients grow their online presence. She has a decade or more of experience in the areas of website, blog and CRM administration, social media management, e-marketing, online research and event planning/onsite management. Cheryl is a lifelong learner and serves on several Boards and Committees for local nonprofit organizations.Liz Botts
Vice President
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As a writer and designer, Liz loves collaborating with others to craft authentic stories and content in novel ways. With more than a decade of experience in marketing, design, and the arts, she pulls from a rich and diverse skill set to deliver engaging and thoughtful results, no matter the task at hand. A never-ending desire to grow, learn, and engage keeps her active within the KC community through volunteering and serving on local boards and committees.
Julie Cortés
Founder
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Julie Cortés is an award-winning freelance advertising/marketing copywriter and proofreader, who works in all mediums and most industries. Her client and account lists run the gamut, from ad agencies and design shops to corporations and small businesses. Cortés has dedicated her 20+ year career to helping other freelancers be successful as well. She is the founder of The Freelance Exchange of KC, an adjunct professor at the KC Art Institute where she created her own course, Freelancing 101, and a professional speaker and business coach targeting both freelancers and the people who hire them.Board of Directors
Cathy Mores
Communications
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Cathy wants to live in a world filled with captivating design and Swedish Fish. As an art director and print designer for almost 20 years, Cathy spent time in agencies winning Addys and elevating brand voices across the Midwest before launching on her own, over ten years ago. Now she works with nonprofits, small businesses and agencies to do the same, bringing the same prowess to the communications team at FX of KC. When she’s not immersed in ink and paper, you’ll find her running (literally) around Kansas City, rummaging through the West Bottoms or cheering on her favorite teams.
Jen Rarey
Marketing
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Jen is a creative director, graphic designer, and illustrator based in Kansas City. Her work encompasses brand-building, print and digital marketing, and product development. Clients include agencies and entrepreneurs, nonprofits, conservation-minded organizations like Ocean Matters and Hawaii Experiences, and beloved brands such as Hallmark, Garmin, and Coca-Cola. Jen has also built deep experience in animal health with Compassion-First Pet Hospitals, a leader in veterinary emergency and specialty medicine. Animals are her passion, and individuals and businesses looking to do good in the world are her kind of people. Outside of work, Jen’s curiosity and adventurous nature has led her to hobbies such as hiking, snowboarding, and scuba diving. She’s owned by a kitty and two Shiba Inu. All of these have led to good stories. Let’s chat!
Elizabeth Dunn-Hall
Membership
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Elizabeth was FX's very first Membership Director and she is excited to put her 25+ years of entrepreneurial experience to work! A Texas transplant, avid coffee lover, proud mother of two, survivor of divorce and a true creative visionary. Her passion and strategic ability to adapt to the client’s needs and create from the business owner’s shoes – whether by pixel or print – is phenomenal. Elizabeth is a dynamic communicator who will keep it real, make you laugh, empower you to soar to new heights and realize your strengths.
Matt Nichols
Outreach
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Matt Nichols celebrated his 16th year anniversary as a freelance photographer in July, and has been creating dynamic images for over 22 years. Specializing in commercial and fashion photography. Matt works out of his custom-built 3000 square foot studio in the old Italian neighborhood of Columbus Park in downtown Kansas City, MO. Matt believes in "No BIG egos, just BIG pictures."
Hamama Bushra
Social
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Hamama Bushra is an enthusiastic traditional illustrator and graphic designer, who enjoys the unique hands-on process that analog offers. She also makes a mean cup of tea. She plans all the coffee meet-ups and the happy hours that members and non-members alike can enjoy.
Ben Lee
Social Media
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After over a decade on the agency & client side, Ben found himself without a clear direction in his life. In 2015, Ben resigned his position as a Creative Director, and chose to build his own path in the freelance and entrepreneurial communities in Kansas City. Since 2015, Ben has worked with businesses from the local to national level. At the same time he built a business creating and self-publishing comic books, with an eye on providing opportunities for other creators to get their books into the marketplace.