Hello!

We are HAVEN Creative®

HAVEN Creative is a communications consultancy that helps organizations grow through brand positioning, PR and advertising.

We use our proprietary process, the Maven Method® to develop, design and deploy strategic branding and communications campaigns that raise awareness and inspire action.

We have branded hundreds of clients nationwide, which has led us to refine our process – the Maven Method® – to help our clients seamlessly navigate the complexities of building a brand by “connecting the dots.”

We are a certified NC HUB agency and are proud to be among the .01% of women-owned agencies in the country.

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[70,000 mavens]

Solving communication problems is what we do. Making mavens is our brand ethos.

Our brand ethos is to make mavens of our peers and partners. What’s an ethos? So glad you asked! A brand ethos is made up of the traits, culture, goals, mission, vision and community it embodies. At HAVEN, we view each team member as a peer and each client as a partner. 

From branding and advertising to internal communications campaigns, HAVEN Creative® helps our partners create clarity and understanding of their marketing to build better marketing teams, organizations and communities. Our ambitious goal is to create 70,000 mavens by fostering communities, establishing a strong brand, and using effective communication strategies.

2,278

Mavens Made

90

Brands Impacted

10

States

Maven

/ˈmāvən/: disruptor. change maker. visionary. achiever. GSD leader.

If this sounds like you, then you have the maven mindset too.

Mavens Across The Nation

Our internal team is small for a reason, we want to be the best at what we offer and pull in other mavens (experts) when we need to.

We have a community of mavens that we call on for their specific expertise when needed per project. Our mavens include: SEO/PPC, graphic design, videography and PR. We’re always looking for new mavens to join our team, so be sure to submit your info on our career page.

We know you’re probably thinking it – no, a maven does NOT have to be a female. We believe communities are powered by creativity and creativity is sparked from diversity. We are an equal opportunity employer and work hard to uphold a culture where our mavens feel valued, seen and heard.

Jeni Bukolt
Branding Maven & Founder

Jeni is fueled by curiosity, creativity and comedy. If you’ve met her, you know she doesn’t take herself too seriously and loves to laugh, but she is also extremely passionate about her work. Jeni’s belief that everyone is better together is the foundation of HAVEN Creative and its success. As its founder and fearless leader, she operates as the creative visionary for the agency. Her passion for creativity and storytelling guides HAVEN’s clients through a process that connects the dots between brands and their communities to tell their unique story. Jeni will be the first to admit HAVEN is a team effort and puts the same passion for connecting people into making Mavens who love building community as much as she does. While she may be a Maven at community branding, she is still learning how to wrangle and raise her 2 rambunctious boys and keep a plant (seriously any plant) alive. Fortunately, her husband has the green thumb.

Jeni Personal Photo Collage

Jessica Blackshaw
Media Maven

Jessica has always been known for her big visions and entrepreneurial spirit…her goal was to become President of the World at age six. While President of the World isn’t her title, Jessica uses that same visionary drive to implement inbound marketing and paid media campaigns for HAVEN’s clients. Jessica prides herself on treating each client’s project and budget as if it is her own – you can often find her searching for discount codes and negotiating rates to take her client’s budget further. She is committed to learning and truly understanding each client’s brand and business goals to ensure success and deliver exceptional service to all of our clients.

Jessica Personal Photo Collage

Ian Redman
Strategy Maven

Ian is a natural problem solver and tinkerer whose experiences in community politics and nonprofit management give him a unique experience to create solutions for HAVEN clients’ marketing needs. His passion for finding innovative solutions stems from his endless curiosity and a willingness to dive head first into a new challenge. Growing up, this manifested in Ian disassembling a few small household appliances (Sorry, Mom). Thankfully, he now focuses that energy into helping the HAVEN Creative team deliver impactful products and compelling stories.

Ian Personal Photo Collage

Gemma Pisano
Design Maven

Some may say she’s a real gem! Creating eye-catching and engaging content is what makes Gemma’s heart happy. Her passion lies in “making things look pretty” and finding innovative ways to reach client goals. Gemma is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte where she studied Marketing, Communications, and Women’s and Gender Studies. Gemma’s experience includes email marketing, social media, and design. In her free time, Gemma can be found listening to a true-crime podcast, going on an adventure with her dog Luna, or crafting a new letter to one of her many global pen pals!

Sam Berbrick
Accounts Maven

With a love for words and a passion for creativity, Sam helps clients bring their ideas to life. As a child, Sam filled up countless notebooks with her own stories and illustrations. Today, Sam brings that same imagination and passion to her work. She began her career in the vibrant city of New York working in marketing and public relations. Sam now calls the sunny shores of Tampa, Florida home and is proud to be one of our HAVEN Mavens™. From brainstorming sessions to successful campaigns, Sam enjoys turning visions into reality.

Ally Cifaratta
Accounts Maven

From a young age, Ally recognized a story’s profound impact, whether writing short stories, composing poetry or creating songs. Today, she channels this passion into shaping narratives for our clients. Ally brings her unique blend of creativity, dedication, and love of stories to every project. She enjoys guiding clients through the storytelling process, helping them uncover the story they deserve to tell. Outside of work, Ally has a profound love for travel and exploring nature. Beyond her passion for words and travel, she stays active through sports and has a deep appreciation for music.

Joanna Hardman
Social Media Maven

Joanna leans on her knowledge of psychology and art to create authentic, engaging content that builds thriving communities. By understanding and listening to her audiences’ needs and motivations, she can center her social media and marketing on the human experience to create meaningful emotional reactions. In her free time, you’ll find her practicing and teaching yoga, painting, hiking, kayaking, learning new skills and spending quality time with her children.

Opal the Ostrich
Brand Awareness Maven

From magazine model to travel-going mascot, Opal is our Maven of Joy and Brand Awareness. Traveling around with our HAVEN Mavens™, she is here to grab your attention and make you smile! Originally hailing from The Amazon(.com), Opal joined HAVEN in 2021 when she agreed to star in an advertisement for the Charlotte Business Journal. Since then, she’s become an integral part of our brand and daily laughter.

Our Values

We are Brave

We tackle new challenges, own up to our mistakes, share creative ideas, and ask for help with bravery.

We Have Your Back

We are here to help each other out. We will watch out for you and take care of the things you’re likely to miss and be your second set of eyes.

We Get it Right 

We are efficient, resourceful and innovative to deliver the best solution to GSD!

We create connections to help you catapult to growth.