The Creative Circus | Meet Your Instructors

The Creative Circus

Meet our Core Team

Sharon Rauch, Ed.D.
Director 

The Creative Circus

Our Instructors

Neisha Tweed Bell

Instructor

Neisha Tweed Bell is an award-winning creative visionary with experience at global companies like Meta, Ogilvy, and Publicis, driving creativity, innovation, and inclusion. From launching Citi Bike to a VR experience for St. Jude to a global inclusive creative practice, Neisha’s commitment to people-first storytelling shines through the work she does and the way she works. Her community impact extends from mentorship to managing internship and enrichment programs, and beyond, earning her accolades such as a 2018 Essence Woke Woman, 2021 University of Florida 40 Under 40, and 2022 ADCOLOR Leader.

Neisha's creative expertise is marked by a blend of strategic insight and an eye for culturally-connected storytelling, which she now shares as a consultant, coach, and creative director working with creative professionals from students to CCOs through her business, Next Level Up.


Rachel Carlson

Instructor
Rachel Carlson is an executive creative director, writer, commercial director, and co-founder of Foul Mouth Creative, a creative ad agency. She previously worked at Deutsch LA, Crispin Porter + Bogusky, and Mekanism where she led creative for Alaska Airlines, Frida, GameStop, Amazon, and developed campaigns for Old Navy, Vitaminwater, YouTube TV, Digiornos, and several Netflix Shows including Stranger Things.



Her work has received many accolades from Cannes, One Show, Communication Arts, Webby’s, and D&AD, as well as featured in the New York Times, featured on The Morning Show, and has been parodied on Saturday Night Live (twice). Fun fact: Rachel is responsible for getting the first lactating breast on network TV.


She lives in Seattle with her partner and boys, Leif and Bodie.


Jaye Davis

Instructor
A fervent lover of all things creative, Jaye packed her bags for NYC to study design and advertising. Not entirely in love with her portfolio, she quit her design job and joined The Circus. The Creative Circus, that is. Since then, Jaye has worked as a strategic and conceptual copywriter, creative director, and consultant for brands and agencies including: TBWA\Chiat\Day, BBDO, Designit, Coca-Cola, Amex and AT&T—winning some nice industry awards along the way. Whether working on her own concepts, running a group, or teaching, she’s always about The Big Idea and never forgets the importance of staying interested in what’s interesting.

As a teacher, she “demands like a boss, nurtures like a mother. She's funny and easygoing, but rock solid when it's showtime. I can't say enough about her.” (David S.)

When not knocking out campaigns, you’ll find her setting out for views she has to earn, such as hiking up Mt. Whitney and down the Grand Canyon, or taking a deep dive into the latest film or design inspiration she’s decided to feast upon.

Sean Matthews

Instructor
Sean (he/him) is a multidisciplinary creative director with over a decade of experience in building and scaling brands. His passion lies in the intersection of sports, technology and gaming, and he’s been fortunate enough to work with some of the biggest brands in those spaces. Currently Sean is helping define sports gaming in XR with StatusPRO where he is VP of Brand and Creative. In his past life he worked agency side with AKQA, 72andSunny, Media Arts Lab and Anomaly Los Angeles.

Sharon Rauch, Ed.D.

Director of Operations

Dr. Sharon Rauch brings nearly 18 years of executive leadership in higher education administration, specializing in operational management and program development with a focus on enhancing the student experience. Before transitioning to higher education, she was a mental health professional, which enriches her ability to advise and mentor students on their academic journeys.

Sharon holds degrees from Northeastern University and George Mason University. She loves to travel, enjoys watching sports and movies, and cherishes time with her friends and family, including her husband of nearly 24 years, her daughter who will soon be off to college, and their six fur babies.

Mike Weed

Instructor
Since graduating with a degree in graphic design from Drake University and studying advertising at East Texas State University (now Texas A&M Commerce), Mike Weed has been creating advertising and design work for large and small clients. By combining consumer, brand and market insights with razor-sharp strategy he creates advertising that resonates with audiences and achieves marketing objectives. He brings more than twenty years as creative director on a diverse list of brands including American Airlines, Alaska tourism, Northrim Bank, Publix Supermarkets, Dreyfus Mutual Funds, Spray ’N Wash, Fantastik, Xcel Energy, Mountain Hardwear, Yakima, Shimano fishing, R.L. Winston Fly Rods, Zebco and Cinch Jeans.

Mike has won numerous local, national and international awards for his creativity in advertising and graphic design. His teaching credentials include teaching at two of the ad industry’s best portfolio schools, The Creative Circus and The Portfolio Center, and at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Marco Worsham

Instructor
With creative experience at some of the nation’s top agencies, Marco has made a mark in the world of advertising and design. Known for his innovative approach and out of the box thinking, he has successfully created eye catching work for brands including adidas, McDonald's, Mike's Hard Lemonade, AT&T, Hummer, and Febreze,   Marco blends strategic thinking with artistic flair to create memorable campaigns that resonate with audiences. Their work has not only driven brand engagement but has also been celebrated in various creative awards.  

As an art director instructor, Worsham is passionate about sharing his knowledge and inspiring the next generation of creative talent. Marco is also a graduate of the original Creative Circus.
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