The team redefining marketing

We’re a tight-knit group of thinkers and doers, each bringing unique skills. Whether it’s cracking tough problems or refining strategies, we collaborate toward one goal: creating smarter, simpler solutions that work.

Meet our leadership team

Our leaders bring experience and a commitment to client success, fostering a culture of trust and innovation.

Melea Mcrae headshot

Melea McRae

Founder & CEO

Melea is an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, business connector and adjunct professor with 30 years of experience elevating brands, amplifying missions and fueling business growth for B2B and B2C clients. In 2016, Melea made the entrepreneurial leap and founded Crux KC, a fast-growing WBE headquartered in KC. Known as the “un-agency,” Crux is a full-funnel outsourced marketing solution customized for organizations of all shapes, sizes and verticals, combining the expertise of fractional CMOs who build the marketing strategy with a deep bench of experts in each marketing discipline to deliver on that strategy.
Ethan Whitehill headshot

Ethan Whitehill

President & CSO

Ethan has made a career out of building agencies and growing brands. He founded the firm Two West in 1997, running it as an independent shop for nearly 20 years before combining his firm with an AdAge Top 100 Agency, where he served as CMO. As an agency founder and entrepreneur, Ethan brings a business owner’s mindset to marketing, working on a host of diverse brands, from packaged goods and professional services to hospitality and healthcare.

Meet the team

Zoe Abner headshot

Zoe Abner

Graphic Designer
Sydney Baird headshot

Sydney Baird

Senior Graphic Designer
Brooke Barrier headshot

Brooke Barrier

VP, Creative
Kara Brooks headshot

Kara Brooks

VP, Brand & Communications
Jenn Evans headshot

Jennifer Evans

VP, Operations
Shaun Friesen headshot

Shaun Friesen

Associate Creative Director
Eliza Graves headshot

Eliza Graves

Fractional CMO
Christina Hager headshot

Christina Hager

Fractional CMO
Ryan Hetu headshot

Ryan Hetu

Marketing Director
Maddi Huff headshot

Maddi Huff

Graphic Designer
Mary King headshot

Mary King

Senior Content Manager
Chloe Kuckelman headshot

Chloe Kuckelman

Associate Graphic Designer
Amy Laha headshot

Amy Laha

Senior Marketing Director
Emily Laster headshot

Emily Laster

Sales & Marketing Manager
Sydney Libowitz headshot

Sydney Libowitz

Digital Marketing Specialist
Zack Littell headshot

Zack Littell

Art Director
M. Loughran headshot

M. Loughran

Office Manager & HR Specialist
Andrew Meiller headshot

Andrew Meiller

PR Manager
Bailey Mitchell headshot

Bailey Mitchell

Front-end Developer & Designer
Abbey Morgan headshot

Abbey Morgan

Marketing Director
Samantha O'Brien headshot

Samantha O'Brien

Marketing Director
Lexi Pardee headshot

Lexi Pardee

Social Media Manager
Kylie Payne headshot

Kylie Payne

Marketing Manager
Katie Ragan headshot

Katie Ragan

SVP, People & Process
Becky Schieber headshot

Becky Schieber

Fractional CMO
Josh Selig-Votaw headshot

Josh Selig-Votaw

SVP, Operations
Janine Smiley headshot

Janine Smiley

Director of Public Relations & Communications
Abby Smith Headshot

Abby Smith

Director, Marketing Operations & Strategy
Regan Smith headshot

Regan Smith

Digital Marketing Analyst
Emily Tanner-Young headshot

Emily Tanner-Young

Marketing Manager
Tristan Van Hook headshot

Tristan Van Hook

IT Specialist
sydney-weeks-crux

Sydney Weeks

Digital Marketing Specialist
Jillian Wenburg headshot

Jillian Wenburg

Fractional CMO
Amber Wright headshot

Amber Wright

Traffic Manager

Crux is always looking for smart, creative collaborators who aren’t afraid to shake things up.

Company Info

2380 McGee Street, Suite 350
Kansas City, MO 64108

816.381.2600

info@findyourcrux.com