Elyse M.
CEO + President

Selected as one of the Women to Watch in 2021, Elyse is a powerhouse marketing professional with over ten years of experience working with local and national brands in the corporate, nonprofit, and retail sectors. She combines her education, experience, and passion for connecting purpose-driven companies who want to be a part of their brand mission. Every day, Elyse and her team are fueled by their pursuit to see their clients thrive and positively change the world.

“My dream is to be able to help companies achieve their dreams—to reach for the stars in a way that they may not have otherwise had the courage to pursue. I started my company to help businesses in our community succeed; in doing so, I will truly be enriched.”

McKinstry is a full-service agency offering a wide range of marketing, communications, public relations, and advertising services created to propel your purpose forward. Every client receives individualized, one-on-one customer service, which is strategic, cost-effective, and results-focused.

“Hearing that my clients are happy and seeing them achieve their goals makes me happiest.  I share a dedication to my clients, which is much more than a consulting contract—I strive to be a member of their team and a factor in their business success.”

John M.
Chief Operating Officer

With over 20 years of experience in business operations and a distinguished background as a USMC veteran, John brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to our organization. John has honed his skills and expertise in managing diverse projects, handling contracts, and ensuring seamless execution.

As our COO, John oversees all aspects of our invoicing, contracts, and projects. With his keen eye for detail and strategic mindset, he will ensure smooth operations and efficient project delivery, exceeding client expectations every step of the way.

Erik R.
Creative Director

Boasting over ten years of senior design experience, Erik graduated from Kansas State University with a BFA in Graphic Design. Holding the reins on everything from brand identity conception, packaging design, and fully loaded marketing campaigns to new product launches, website creations, and trade show displays, he’s pretty dang well-rounded with a boat-load of experience to boot.

The best part? He is deeply passionate about branding, packaging, and illustration, making him an ideal fit for the world’s trendsetters, changemakers, and social do-gooders that we hold near and dear to our hearts.

When Erik isn’t elbows-deep in designing the next big marketing campaign, whether on the computer, iPad, or sketchbook, he can be found connecting and creating adventures with his wife and two wildly fun boys.

Cat F.
Content Director

Cat is a passionate writer with a creative soul and years of experience across various marketing mediums and niches. She loves working with brands dedicated to making a positive impact through their products, services, and especially through authentic, engaging content. With a background in Customer Experience Management, Cat brings a unique client-first perspective, advocating for a personalized approach that aligns with each client’s goals and target audience.

Her commitment to refining a brand’s voice and tone through clear, meaningful communication is at the heart of her work, and she values the relationships she builds with clients as essential to success. Beyond her love for client-centered writing, Cat is a children’s book author, a mom to three energetic and creative kids, a proud dog mom, and an adventurer at heart who enjoys exploring new places, finding random adventures, staying active, and diving into a good book.

Drew A.
Director of Digital Development

Drew has over a decade of experience in digital marketing and web development that expand across multiple industries. With an eye for user experience and design, Drew leads website development + strategies for McKinstry’s clients.

When he isn’t diving deep in code, you can find him enjoying time with his wife and two daughters.

Susan C.
Strategic Business Manager

With over 20 years of experience in helping businesses thrive, Susan Coumans is passionate about building lasting connections with business owners. Her approach is personal and collaborative, allowing her to deeply understand the unique needs of each business she works with. Susan finds immense joy in seeing the success of the businesses she supports, making her a valuable addition to our team.

In her free time, Susan enjoys reading murder/mystery novels by JD Robb and spending quality time with her family, especially her grandson Jackson.