HANDS FOR HEARTS

I was proud to support Hands for Hearts from the very beginning as a board member and creative lead, helping shape its visual identity, fundraising materials, and narrative voice. This work sits at the intersection of purpose, design, and impact—and remains one of the most meaningful projects of my career.

0.1 OVERVIEW

PROOF THAT PURPOSEFUL DESIGN CAN MOVE MILLIONS

Hands for Hearts is North Carolina’s leading nonprofit supporting children and families affected by congenital heart defects. Founded in 2014 in memory of Matthew (“Matt”) Francis Sullivan, the organization was built to turn love, loss, and community support into lasting impact.

I partnered with Hands for Hearts from inception to help create a brand that balanced heart with credibility—one that could scale across fundraising events, medical partnerships, and long-term initiatives. The brand identity is rooted the organization’s signature annual Casino Night, a flagship community event that brings together supporters, sponsors, and families affected by congenital heart defects. In 2025 alone, the event welcomed 500+ attendees and raised over $340,000, funding congenital heart defect research and family support programs nationwide. To date Hands for Hearts has raised more than $1.8 million.

Beyond events, the brand extends across meaningful initiatives including a one-week camp experience for children with congenital heart defects launched in 2016 in partnership with Duke Children’s Hospital and Camp Victory Junction, and the fully funded Matthew F. Sullivan Advanced Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship at Duke Children’s Hospital.

The result is a cohesive, heart-forward brand system that leans into the energy of Casino Night—borrowing the excitement, anticipation, and sense of possibility of the casino floor—while remaining grounded in trust and compassion. Every touchpoint was designed to help supporters feel confident placing their bets on something that truly matters: better outcomes for children with congenital heart defects and the families who love them.