Graphic Design for Nonprofits | About

Why Work With Us?

We’ll Make You Look Good. Your design needs are unique. Our network of creatives is ready to support any project you can dream up.

Digital artwork - web, social media
Photography - portraits, products, events
Print collateral - advertising, publications, packaging
Video production - tutorials, interviews, courses

We’ll Make You Sound Good. Whether you have ten words to get your message across or ten thousand, our producers, writers, and editors can help you communicate clearly and powerfully.

Audio production - audiograms, podcasting
Communications - press releases, editorials, campaign assets, social media
Writing - web copy, blog posts, bios, curriculum, interviews, reports
Editing - development editing, line editing, copy editing

We’ll Help You Do Good. We work with big thinkers committed to solving big problems. By employing design thinking, we can help you and your team amplify words and visuals to tell a compelling story that matters.

Design thinking is our superpower.

Square Lightning is a full-service communications and design agency providing branding for nonprofits, graphic design for nonprofits, and website design for nonprofits.

Our approach balances the urgency of critical projects with the humanity of collaborating with passionate, creative people. We feel urgency because our clients tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems, often on short timelines and with limited resources. But for our work to be effective and values-driven, we must also cultivate human connection and joy. We feel both of these things deeply and make them priorities in all of our client relationships.

Russell Estes

PRINCIPAL / CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Russell is a native Southerner and a veteran of the creative industry. Prior to co-founding Square Lightning, he led the in-house design team at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a national civil rights organization. From magazine production to interior design, digital campaigns to demonstrative evidence, Russell formulated and drove all aspects of the organization’s visual messaging, winning top honors from Communication Arts, PRINT magazine, the American Advertising Federation, the Society of Professional Journalists, GDUSA, and HOW. His specialties include multichannel design, branding and identity, video production, and typography. His design philosophy is, “Let’s work together and do something cool!”
Adrienne van der Valk

PRINCIPAL / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Adrienne hails from Iowa and lived in Oregon, Colorado, Alabama, and New York before settling in Southern California. Prior to co-founding Square Lightning, her career included leadership roles in social work, journalism, and education; at every stop on her journey, writing and storytelling were central to her success. Now, after running the editorial and communications departments at two national nonprofits, she consults with individuals and organizations who want to level up their storytelling impact. Adrienne specializes in mining content for SEO-friendly gems and using them to entice readers to want more. As an avid podcaster, she also loves helping clients experiment with using audio to spice up their digital presence.
Leanne Naramore

SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR
Leanne has over 13 years of experience building social and digital audiences for national nonprofit organizations, including the Natural Resources Defense Council, Media Matters for America, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. In addition to her social strategy experience, she is also an editor, video producer, digital storyteller, and website, ad, and SEO manager. She specializes in working with mission-driven groups to tell powerful and authentic stories that engage existing and new target audiences. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
Marc Redmond

FULL-STACK DEVELOPER
I’m a web developer and strategist with a background in physics and a passion for mission-driven tech. At Square Lightning, I help nonprofit teams translate their goals into performant, user-friendly websites—balancing custom design, content strategy, and modern development frameworks. I especially enjoy choosing the right technical stack for each project, whether that means WordPress or headless CMS solutions like Sanity or Strapi.
Before joining Square Lightning, I led my own agency, KNOWN, where we partnered with dozens of clients, ranging from grassroots orgs to international nonprofits like the Internet Society and Equality Virginia. I also currently serve as the lead developer at the VCU Center on Society and Health, where we build interactive data tools for clients such as the Virginia Department of Health, utilizing Next.js and Sanity.
I believe great web experiences are built through close collaboration, thoughtful architecture, and systems that empower clients to manage content with confidence. My approach is hands-on, adaptive, and grounded in years of experience working across both technical and activist spaces.
Outside of work, I’m usually tinkering with robotics, 3D printing prototypes, or working on side projects that blend hardware and software.

Collaborators

Claudia Hong

GRAPHIC DESIGN
I’m a graphic designer with ten years of experience in digital and editorial design. At Square Lightning, I help develop visual assets and ensure brand consistency for various clients in the nonprofit sector.
I work in-house at the Southern Poverty Law Center, designing a variety of collateral and visuals that support their mission to advance human rights, racial justice, and equity. I also have experience working with organizations focused on cybersecurity and workplace safety practices.
I believe in the power of systems, simplicity, and visual storytelling. I see every project as a chance to create something unique and rooted in purpose.
When I’m not designing, I enjoy gaming, learning new guitar riffs, and studying different languages.
Kindred Motes

CAMPAIGNS & DIGITAL STRATEGY
I’m a founder, strategist, and campaign advisor focused on nonprofit communications, funder engagement, organizational strategy, and digital targeting. At Square Lightning, I support clients with messaging frameworks, narrative development, and targeted digital advertising, especially for campaigns working at the intersection of social justice and public interest.
I’ve advised national foundations, led digital campaigns for advocacy coalitions, and developed strategic messaging for nonprofits across sectors, including human rights, climate, criminal legal reform, and democracy. Before founding KM Strategies Group, I served in leadership roles for both grant-seeking and grant-making nonprofit organizations and philanthropic foundations.
I believe communications should serve a purpose beyond visibility. It should inform, persuade, organize, and clarify what’s at stake. I’m most energized by work that sharpens strategy and moves audiences to act.
Outside of work, I’m probably planning my next trip, listening to a podcast, or getting lost in a used bookstore.
Joanna Williams

EDITORIAL & CONTENT STRATEGY
Joanna brings over eight years of editorial and digital media experience to her work with Square Lightning. A veteran of the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Institute for Policy Studies, Story District, and other progressive organizations, she’s passionate about removing systemic barriers to equity and justice and committed to building a world where all people can thrive. Joanna specializes in writing punchy content, planning and executing powerful digital strategies, and collaborating with designers to create far-reaching campaigns with maximum impact. She’s also an avid basketball fan, so be sure to ask her who she has going to the Finals this year. Joanna lives in Chicago, Illinois.
Cierra Brinson

PUBLICATIONS & DIGITAL ARTWORK

I am a graphic designer with experience in print and digital design. I specialize in turning long-form content into digestible and visually cohesive publications.
I have worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center for the past 8 years on various design projects related to criminal justice, education, economic justice, racial justice, and combating white supremacy.
I believe great design should not only look visually appealing but also connect with and be representative of the communities we work for.
When I'm not designing, I'm working on DIY projects around the house or learning a new hobby.
Jacob Saylor

VIDEO PRODUCTION

I got into professional video production in 2016 while working for a nationally syndicated newsroom. From there, I never looked back and now have a wealth of experience in all steps of the production process. At Square Lightning, I’m usually working on high-fidelity animations or snappy highlight reels. I love video work; any opportunity to tell a unique story through this medium is a can’t-miss event.
When Square Lightning isn’t calling, I’m usually working in-house at the Southern Poverty Law Center as part of their award-winning Creative team. I’m constantly on the move to capture stories from the communities we serve, as well as give our audience an inside look at the organization’s work. I frequently work with Alabama Dance Theatre, as well.
I believe the best way to serve clients is to deliver quality work from start to finish, from pre-production to final delivery. The chance to participate in any organization’s mission constitutes a massive sign of trust, and I intend always to honor that confidence. In that spirit, it’s my policy to never stop learning or innovating because it’s a duty owed to the client.
In my free time, you’ll probably find me playing video games, at the movies, or voraciously drinking coffee.
Shannon Anderson

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Shannon is an award-winning graphic designer with a deep background in education and a decade of experience supporting social justice organizations. In addition to her work with Square Lightning, she is the graphic designer for Define American, a nonprofit that uses the power of storytelling to humanize conversations about immigrants. Shannon is also an illustrator and hand-drawn type expert who creates colorful stickers to promote messages of equity and justice. She is based in New Orleans, LA.
Dan Chung

PHOTOGRAPHY / VIDEOGRAPHY
I am a photographer and videographer with decades of experience working in editorial, commercial, and nonprofit settings.
I enjoy collaborating with creatives on projects that speak directly to their mission and goals. Lately, I’ve been working with historical foundations, such as Mount Vernon Estates, associations, including the ASAE, as well as social justice organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center.
I’m based in Northern Virginia and enjoy backpacking in the mountains.
Carrie Ford Hilliker

GRAPHIC DESIGNER & CONTENT STRATEGIST
I’m a designer and strategist with two decades of experience building brands online. At Square Lightning, I specialize in bringing creative briefs and fledgling concepts to life as websites, social content, and beyond.
My professional background has been focused on nonprofit and creative industries, from the Los Angeles LGBT Center to The Book Foundation, Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus to OneKid OneWorld. Leadership roles at agencies and organizations like Disney and Tribune Media in Los Angeles provided me with an incredible foundation for my career.
I believe design should be intuitive, pragmatic, and emotionally resonant. I blend sharp strategy with a creative sixth sense, helping people uncover and tease out the essence of their vision.
When I’m not at my laptop, I’m trying to keep up with my ten-year-old daughter and our house full of pets, or on a flight somewhere fun (with the laptop and daughter in tow). I’m now based in Chicago, but still consider Los Angeles a home away from home.