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Ellie Hardy

San Francisco, CA | 415.713.4476 | ellierg@gmail.com | elliehardy.com
Profile

Design operations and studio leader with 15+ years building world-class creative organizations from the ground up. Currently embedded inside Apple's UX and design org as Managing Producer — serving as operational lead and strategic partner to senior leadership, owning executive communications, and driving cross-functional velocity across a 700+ person global team. Three-time zero-to-one studio builder at R/GA, Edelman, and Goodby Silverstein & Partners. Human-centered approach to AI adoption: helping teams identify, pilot, and scale internal tools without losing craft.

What Makes Me Different
Design Org Operations Embedded inside Apple's UX and design org — owning executive communications, cross-functional alignment, and operational velocity at scale.
Zero-to-One Builder 3 studios built from scratch. Design structure, establish workflows, create foundations that scale in ambiguous environments.
Strategic + Tactical Trusted advisor to senior design leadership. Comfortable from C-suite briefings to production floor details.
Future-Focused Founded agency's first creative technology innovation lab. Piloting and scaling AI workflows inside Apple's design org.
Experience
Apple 2020 – Present
Managing Producer — Product, Design & Marketing
  • Serve as operational lead and strategic partner to senior design leadership inside a 700+ person org spanning UX, branding, motion, prototyping, and emerging technology
  • Own executive review materials for concept, development, and launch milestones — crafting strategic narrative and progress updates for senior and C-suite leadership
  • Drive end-to-end operational excellence: timeline management, scope definition, and cross-functional alignment across Engineering, Design, Legal, Operations, Research, and Localization
  • Manage and mentor a team of producers across US, London, and Singapore, delivering world-class design and brand work at scale
  • Human-centered approach to AI and emerging technology adoption — helping teams identify, pilot, and scale internal tools without losing craft or quality
R/GA San Francisco 2017 – 2019
Executive Production Director
  • Built content studio from scratch — hired animators, editors, motion designers, and 22+ producers
  • Embedded half the team at Google to drive global product launches and marketing campaigns
  • Served on senior leadership team for 100+ person office; owned P&L and resource forecasting
  • Contributed to $4M+ in new business wins in 2018
Edelman 2015 – 2017
EVP, Creative Production (promoted from SVP, 2016)
  • Built Western Region production from 2 producers to 10-person team across SF, Seattle, and LA
  • Developed business plans and studio infrastructure for LA and Seattle expansion
  • Generated millions in organic growth; supported Starbucks, HP, Adobe, PayPal, EA Sports
Goodby Silverstein & Partners 2007 – 2015
Associate Partner (promoted from Senior Producer → EP → Director)
  • Named Associate Partner — one of only 15 across the agency
  • Founded and led BETA Group, the agency's first creative technology and innovation team
  • Scaled BETA from 1 developer to multidisciplinary team; drove new business wins and creative tech education
  • Managed 20+ person production department; led award-winning work for Apple, Adobe, Comcast, Ubisoft
  • Won Cannes Lions Bronze, D&AD Pencil, Clio Silver, One Club Merit, ProMaxx Games Awards
Education

University of Missouri
B.S. Journalism, Broadcast News

Recognition

Cannes Lions Bronze
D&AD Pencil
Clio Silver
One Club Merit
ProMaxx Games Awards

Skills & Expertise

Design Org Operations  ·  Chief of Staff Functions  ·  Executive Communications  ·  Cross-Functional Leadership  ·  Zero-to-One Studio Building  ·  AI-Assisted Workflows  ·  Team Hiring & Development  ·  P&L Management  ·  Headcount Planning  ·  Multi-Office Operations