Clarion Blue is a purpose-driven team of joyful nerds who obsess over data—and strategists who know what to do with it. We create brilliantly clear marketing with measurable results and human impact.

Based in beautiful Fort Collins, Colorado, we are dedicated to helping our clients worldwide connect with customers at every phase of their journey—from discovery to loyal superfans.

The Clarion Blue Team

Our Clear Values

Our company values are centered around:

  • Genuine connection
  • Professional enthusiasm
  • Mutual trust and respect
  • Work/life balance
  • Kindness
  • Curiosity
  • A healthy dose of humor

Our Brilliant Team

Headshot of Clarion Blue founder and CEO Ashley Pintaric

Ashley Pintaric

Founder, Chief Strategist & Research Analyst

Ashley is a research and data nerd who knows her stuff but also loves a good laugh. She has extensive experience in marketing strategy, digital marketing, brand development, partnership development, sales, and public speaking.

A teacher by training with a master’s degree in Intercultural Studies, Ashley has strong interpersonal skills and is a detail-oriented and ardent problem-solver. Studying and living abroad gave her the skills to view situations from various perspectives and an awareness of how culture shapes behavior.

Some of Ashley’s favorite things include: coffee with creamer, being in the mountains, researching anything (not an exaggeration!), and spending time with her husband, two sons, and the world’s most perfect dog, Amelia.

ASHLEY’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • 15+ years in business marketing and sales with companies, agencies, and nonprofits including AT&T, the Loveland Housing Authority nonprofit Aspire 3D, English Language Institute/China, Open Says Me, and PetDine.

  • Certification in Digital Marketing Strategies: Data, Automation, AI & Analytics from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Executive Education, 2019

  • Assistance in fundraising over $2.4M for global nonprofits through business marketing & sales.

Headshot of Toni McLellan, Brand Strategist

Toni McLellan

LEAD BRAND STRATEGIST

An attorney by training, Toni was too funny for the courtroom (she was a contempt case waiting to happen). She channeled that brilliance into writing (seriously – sign up for her weekly New-to-me Phrases and you’ll see what we mean) and as a certified mediator via the Center for Conflict Resolution. Toni, her husband and their three kids live with a menagerie including three parrots, fish, and a pink axolotl named Mimi. (The parrots are hilarious, so we let the no-dog thing slide).

Some of Toni’s favorite things include: black coffee, birds, hiking, reading, amusing phrases, sci-fi/fantasy stories, and comedy.

TONI’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • 19+ years creating content for major publications, agencies, and brands, including Outside, Disney, KitchenAid, Inc., AT&T, and Lenovo.
  • Skilled interviewer, storyteller, copy editor and proofreader
  • Adept at crafting engaging content that meets clients’ strategic goals and style.
Headshot of Kelly Hambly, Clarion Blue Brand Strategist

Kelly Hambly

LEAD BRAND STRATEGIST

Kelly writes jargon-free copy that delivers solutions in a human voice. She has a green thumb and the massive garden to show for it, and takes frequent walks with the best dog ever, Ginger Rogers. (Several of us on our team make this claim about their dogs, but we know that “best dog ever” math doesn’t have to make sense because they’re all the best.) Kelly is a poet, novelist, and a baker whose Nutella Danish has been known to make people cry with joy.

KELLY’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • 25 years in copywriting, marketing, advertising, graphic design, program management, and community-building.
  • A knack for uncovering, developing, and telling brand stories across multiple channels to grow business and brand authority.
  • Writing that has helped sell everything from toys to home goods, textiles to office products, education, tourism, and more.
Headshot of Kevin Udy,

Kevin Udy

SEO & DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Kevin is a strategic and technical thinker with excellent attention to detail. He enjoys all kinds of projects from a simple website build (is it ever really “simple,” though?), to a deep dive into data analysis (he fits well into our data nerd team). Kevin enjoys providing in-depth technical knowledge directly to the people and agencies he works with. Like Kelly, Kevin has a green thumb that offers a welcome respite from screen time. His dog arguably loves the Colorado sunshine more than humans.

KEVIN’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • 15+ years in web development, digital marketing, and helping companies reach customers online.

  • Google Ads and Google Analytics-certified, with technical Search Engine Optimization services including keyword research, on-page SEO plans, technical audits, and more.
  • A degree in computer science from the best university in the country, Colorado State University (we aren’t biased at all).
Headshot of Shari Smith, Executive Assistant & Chief of Staff

Shari Smith

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT & CHIEF OF STAFF

Shari is passionate about helping others reach their goals. After several years of working with social justice and nonprofit organizations, Shari decided to take her organizational and creative skills and put them to work, supporting others as they reached their goals. In 2022, she started working as an assistant and loves cheering her clients on! In her free time, Shari enjoys spending time with her husband and two fur children, reading good books, and having great conversations over coffee.

SHARI’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • Working with nonprofits and social good organizations such as: Beyond The Wound, Mission Partners For Christ, Bare Marriage with Sheila Gregoire, and more.
  • Research, copywriting/editing, proofreading, social media management, graphic creation, and community engagement on social media platforms.
  • Sitting on the board for Ezer Rising and helping to facilitate growth strategy for the organization.
Veronica Preston

Veronica Preston

Graphic Designer & Art / Creative Director

Veronica is a true creative-at-heart who loves color, great design, and the beauty of a cohesive brand. She has 15+ years of extensive experience in graphic design, branding, art direction, photography, marketing, and communications for a large publishing company and business of all sizes. As a detailed planner with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art (Graphic Design emphasis), Veronica has a unique combination of project/timeline management skills and creativity, strong interpersonal skills, with a passion for learning about peoples’ stories and the “why” behind each project. Veronica loves iced coffee, thrifting, planning detailed family vacations, and taking personality tests. She also loves spending time with her immediate and extended family; specifically her husband, two daughters and son, as well as their 10 year-old Great Dane, Finley.

VERONICA’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • 15+ years experience in art direction, graphic & print design, branding, and marketing
  • 10+ years in art direction and project management for multiple national conferences
  • 10+ years in social media content creation and copywriting
Tracy Tang

Tracy Tang

Marketing Strategist

Say hello to Tracy, our Marketing Strategist. Tracy has a talent for turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories. Tracy thrives on crafting marketing plans that deliver real results. From strategizing campaigns to creating graphics that connect with audiences, she’s passionate about making an impact. With experience in everything from SaaS implementations for big corporations to nonprofits, Tracy knows how to tailor content for any audience. Outside of work, you’ll find her sipping tea on a lazy Sunday, enjoying the great outdoors, or dancing the night away at a Beyoncé concert.

TRACY’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • BA in Business Administration, Operations and Information Management from CU, Boulder, and an MS, Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University (2026)
  • Creating graphics to align with brand stories and messaging
  • Writing content for technical and non-technical audiences
Megan Costello

Megan Costello

Consulting Partner & Advisor

Megan is a self proclaimed startup junkie who focuses on building the products, teams, and systems that help companies scale from $0 to $20 Million in ARR. She is a passionate team builder and mentor who loves to bring people from different backgrounds together to develop innovative solutions to problems no one else has thought to solve. A committed generalist, Megan has held executive roles leading revenue, customer success, product and operations teams.

Although Megan grew up in the upper Midwest, she decided to permanently opt out of winter as soon as it was feasible and now lives in San Diego. She is a die hard fan of the Green Bay Packers, San Diego Wave and San Diego Padres. She loves spending time biking, traveling, and experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen.

MEGAN’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • 20+ years working in high growth, venture backed companies including Crimson Hexagon (now part of BrandWatch), Panorama Education (YC S13) and UpMetrics

  • Expertise in AI-focused and analytics-based B2B SaaS products that require behavior and process change in critical business workflows, spanning industries as diverse healthcare, social media, staffing and philanthropy
  • MBA from the University of Oxford – Saïd Business School and MA in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Kendall Reck

Kendall Reck

CONSULTING PARTNER

With extensive experience taking unprofitable businesses and making them profitable and outstanding places to work, Kendall is a master at managing client accounts. She is a firm believer that strong relationships create the foundation for success in business and in life. As a former business owner with a background in marketing, PR, and entrepreneurship, Kendall thrives on helping clients achieve their goals through various marketing strategies and channels. Kendall has been married to her husband for 16 years and together they have an 8 year old son, and a 10 year old labradoodle who are best friends.

KENDALL’S PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

  • Over 20 years of experience in business consulting, marketing and PR in various industries and businesses of all sizes.
  • Starting and growing a successful business that was later purchased by another company.
  • A Master of Arts in Communication giving her exceptional interpersonal communication skills and experience.