The Journey:
I've spent years helping others tell their stories: mission-driven nonprofits protecting wild places, local gear shops with big dreams, executives finding their voice. What started as journalism school curiosity became environmental advocacy, which became a creative studio, which became a practice of elevation.
How I Work:
Digital campaigns that spark action. Brand narratives that build community. Stories told with the kind of authenticity that creates lasting change. Currently working with organizations protecting wild places through strategic storytelling. Always eager to connect with others who believe business can be a force for good.
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Selected Clients
Capabilities
Brand/Content Strategy
Business Strategy & Development
Content Development
Copywriting
Corporate Partnerships
Client Management
Digital Marketing
Documentary Filmmaking
Editorial/Advertorial Writing
Employer Branding
Fundraising & Nonprofit Development
Graphic Design
Leadership Development
Photography & Editing
Project & Program Management
Strategic Planning
What folks are saying:
“David is a fountain of creative thought. He is excellent at encouraging organizations to think expansively about their audience(s), their modes of communication and the stories they should be sharing. His work at the Shenandoah National Park Trust fostered more diverse and inclusive marketing and communications channels. David brings his whole self to his work; his passion for causes in which he believes drives his creativity and spark.”
Susan Sherman @ Charlottesville Free Clinic (formerly Shenandoah National Park Trust)
“David is a big originator. He thinks about things that the rest of us overlook. As a result, he has led many teammates and organizations to cultivate deeper meaning and creative business development. David is an outdoor advocate and marketing specialist, with the will to create positive change. His marketing strategies are complemented by community engagement, equity, and mastery of introspective storytelling.”
Brooke Svitak @ Evolve Vacation Rental
“To put it briefly: David has been around; and will be an investment to your team's growth given such a diverse professional acumen. To recommend David would be an understatement; I implore you to scout, get to know, and hire a more thoughtful, intelligent, curious professional than David Cumming. He will astound you with his inherent and professional empathy, and challenge the process to create new means of growth for your enterprise. I highly suggest you hire David, as he is an invaluable asset to any group of humans moving a foundation, non-profit, cause, or business forward.”
Drew Schulte @ Colorado Outdoor Education Center
“David is an exceptional individual, both professionally and personally. He is deeply in tune with his work and how it interacts with the world around it. Through our projects, I often witnessed how he could take complex ideas that dealt with overlapping layers of organizational messaging and cultural events and craft a digestible and thoughtful dialogue. His work style is effective, efficient, and thorough. David taps into his passion on each project and utilizes it to create stunning outcomes. He works effectively in a wide range of skills related to marketing and communication and soars when the work is supported by copy.”
Ben Shay @ Mountain Youth Network
“David is a pleasure to work with, not only as a person but also as a correspondent, project manager, and client. As a creative professional, it is always a relief for one's contact within a company to understand and enliven the creative process. This guy masterfully balances the brainstorming and communication elements of a project with the work that needs to happen to get that project done. With his own combination of creative and project lead experience, he empowers designers and developers to feel ease and autonomy while progressing to collective solutions.”
Willow Solow, Designer/Web Strategist @ Solowpress
I donate 1% of my earnings to environmental nonprofits as a member of 1% For the Planet.