The Engine
We are a team of people, dedicated to our craft and our amazing clients, who get to do what they love day in and day out.
We Love What We Do
The flurry of good ideas and the unearthing of great ones. We love to think and rethink, design and write and develop until we’ve made something that moves people.
We Love our Clients
Client and Engine combined, great work is built on earned trust that's strong enough to push beyond the expected and create meaningful, memorable work.
We Love the Adventure
From idea to concept to 'oh shit' to the best solution, each project is a journey that keeps our heart pumping till we create our best work. We wouldn't have it any other way.
We're Always Pushing to be Better
Never settling. Never assuming one way is THE way. Every project is an exercise in growth. Pushing our craft, improving our process, always striving to be a better partner and create the most unexpectedly awesome work.
And We'd Love to Work With You.
Let's TalkMeet the leadership team
Chris is driven by the creative process, constantly working to better understand and improve it. He has found that the best work comes when you bring talented people together with radical candor and transparency. In the 10 years since he founded the Engine, he has been named one of North Bay Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. As well, he’s been featured in various media outlets, including Entrepreneur, Digiday, Adage, USA Today, and CNN Money.
Chris Denny
Founder, President
With an extensive background in operations and financial strategy, Drea joined the Engine in its nascent stage, working her way up from the bookkeeper to the Director of Business Services. Her belief in the humanity of her work - that by understanding and supporting employees as people, productivity will come organically - has helped to lead the growth and establish the close-knit culture at the Engine.
Drea Schulze
Director of Business Services
After two years at the Engine’s home office in Santa Rosa, Mitch returned to his hometown to establish the Minneapolis, Minnesota studio. Mitch’s creative background includes work with American Airlines, Best Buy, Hormel Foods, and Target. However, his favorite collaborations have been with the Arts/Entertainment and non-profits sectors.
Mitch Kelly
Lead Creative Director, Mpls Studio Lead
Zach's work is driven by his obsession with human-centered design and asking better questions. Previously the Managing Director of a leading, publicly-held, creative agency, Zach has worked directly with some of the world's largest cannabis brands on strategy, creative, and branding endeavors of every shape. Zach lives in west Sonoma County with his wife and two children, and spends his spare time listening to all of the podcasts.
Zach Winter
Director of Client Partnerships
Patrick's work draws from curiosity, observation, failures, triumphs, and the sensory memories throughout - with a love for layered, compelling visual narratives that emphasize clients’ core values while seeking to sustain engagement that lingers in their audience long after they are reached.
Patrick Finney
Creative Director
Kalli has a deep well of creative and marketing experience that aids in understanding client needs and creative strategies to achieve meaningful goals. She is a crucial asset to the creative team, both in understanding the creative and making sure it’s on time and delivered. In each of her projects, she is an advocate for all sides.
Kalli Sandberg
Account Manager
Ben leads with a heart for communication, a knack problem-solving, and a rare breed of optimism. His organization and leadership keeps teams aligned, budgets in check, and goals in focus.
Ben Aldritt
Account Manager