ABOUT THE DAMES

At The Dames, we partner with every client directly and transparently to manage marketing and PR planning and processes from concept to implementation to data analysis.

We established The Dames in 2020, bringing together decades of combined experience with agencies, in-house marketing and PR teams, and content marketing freelancing. Over the course of our careers, we’ve learned the importance of tying business goals and communication strategy together to drive outcomes. You’ll find us supporting in-house marketing and PR managers, providing fractional marketing director services, and leading and collaborating with other experienced marketing specialists who share our values.

Read more about our award-winning team.

Our areas of specialty include:

MEET THE DAMES

JEN CARROLL

As a communicator, I’m known for big-picture ideas, as well as the ability to accomplish them using an organized, strategic approach. Writing is how I get it done. It brings clarity and focus to everything I do and results in brand messaging and content assets that are both creative and on point.

Success in marketing and public relations—with their ever-changing array of platforms, apps, and tools—requires clarity and focus, too. With more than 25 years of agency, small business, corporate, and non-profit experience, I’m the right dame to do it. My passion is helping clients zero in on the communication strategies and tactics that align with their business objectives and guiding them through the implementation process from start to finish.

Industries I’ve served extensively include health care, manufacturing / heavy industry, and education. I also have experience with banking, e-commerce, building and construction, home improvement, leadership training, energy, legal, business consulting, and more.

Founder and member of the same book club since 1997, I love to read and learn every single day. My high-strung chocolate lab, named after C.S. Lewis, often makes me question my sanity, and my 80s playlist on Apple Music is heavily influenced by Billy Joel. My days usually start with freshly ground coffee or black loose-leaf tea of Kenyan origin, and they sometimes end with a bit of bourbon. A fan of hiking and history, I hope to someday visit Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon and trek to the top of Half Dome.

annalisa hilliard

Throughout my life, I’ve been driven by a curiosity to know and understand ideas and things—science, technology, poetry, communication, and psychology, among others. 

In the fast-paced industry of marketing, my curiosity has served me well, not only in learning SEO, web analytics, UX/UI, and conversion optimization, but also in discovering my penchant for research and analysis. I love performing data research and analysis that helps my clients establish specific, targeted marketing and sales goals and achieve even greater business success.

Industries I’ve worked with extensively include manufacturing / heavy industry and e-commerce. I also have experience with real estate, education, SaaS / cloud-based software, health care, and more.

In moments when I’m not focused on The Dames, I indulge my passion for plants and my appetite for learning. I care about social justice issues, like poverty, racism, and gender inequality, and I crave spending time outdoors. Relaxation for me is coffee, craft beer, biking, and watching episodes of Schitt’s Creek.

We Invest In Other Dames:

We also offer our services for free or at a reduced cost to select small businesses and nonprofits that are owned/operated by or for women and minorities. The businesses and nonprofits we choose to assist must provide an exceptional product or service and also demonstrate ethical, professional, and organized business practices. To find out more about this program, please contact us.​

How The Dames Got Started:

Jen and Annalisa are both graduates of Malone University in Canton, Ohio…nine years apart! Find out how the Dames met and started their company in this Malone spotlight.