Maria McHale
Director of Client Services

Maria oversees the structure and strategy of the account team, cultivating success and serving clients directly.
- Assists the firm’s partners and account team in strategy and execution.
- Serves as account executive for several key clients.
- Delivers marketing, public relations and visibility services, including strategic counsel, communications planning, event management and media coverage.
- Develops innovative solutions for clients to stand out in their industries.
- Advises clients on executive messaging, crisis management and internal communications.
- Elevates brands through strategic planning, writing, research, media buying, social media support and marketing activations.
- Plans and promotes large-scale events such as the 2023 Knoxville stadium groundbreaking, Young-Williams Animal Center’s A Cause for Paws and the launch of Dave & Buster’s Sevierville.
- Ensures the agency continues to meet and exceed client expectations.
How Maria creates magic
- Maria loves a challenge and generates an almost endless flow of inventive ideas and solutions for clients and team members alike.
Successful project snapshot
- Directed the rebranding of Hillcrest Healthcare, Knoxville’s largest skilled nursing provider, and its three care communities; launched subsequent brands including The Gardens on Lake Brook, a hospice care unit; Hillcrest at Home, a provider of non-medical personal care; and The Mason Center, a healthcare education institution.
- Passionate about the role of nonprofits in building a healthy community, Maria has delivered hundreds of millions of media impressions and supported local nonprofits in sharing their story through local events and campaigns such as Young-Williams Animal Center’s Mardi Growl, Knoxville’s largest pet parade; Knoxville Area Urban League’s Shoes for School, an event that provides thousands of families with school supplies each year; and UScellular’s Black History Month Art Contest with local and regional Boys & Girls Clubs, an annual campaign highlighting student art inspired by African-American heroes.
Education & experience
- Bachelor’s degree in commerce, University of Virginia
- Previous experience in marketing, consumer goods product development and corporate social responsibility.
Joined firm in
- 2018
Community involvement and recognition
- Big Wig Award, Best PR Manager, 2022
- YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley board member
- H3 at the East Tennessee Historical Society founding member
- Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Prelude Society Committee member
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Volunteer Chapter member
- Introduction Knoxville, Class of 2021
A little more
- Northern California native.
- Lives in Knoxville.
- Husband, Kevin; daughters, Avery and Renleigh.
- Has a passion for community building and often can be found at local events.
- Enjoys interior design, personal styling and exploring delicious eateries.
- Enneagram 8: The Challenger / Protector
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Maria McHale
Director of Client Services



Maria oversees the structure and strategy of the account team, cultivating success and serving clients directly.
- Assists the firm’s partners and account team in strategy and execution.
- Serves as account executive for several key clients.
- Delivers marketing, public relations and visibility services, including strategic counsel, communications planning, event management and media coverage.
- Develops innovative solutions for clients to stand out in their industries.
- Advises clients on executive messaging, crisis management and internal communications.
- Elevates brands through strategic planning, writing, research, media buying, social media support and marketing activations.
- Plans and promotes large-scale events such as the 2023 Knoxville stadium groundbreaking, Young-Williams Animal Center’s A Cause for Paws and the launch of Dave & Buster’s Sevierville.
- Ensures the agency continues to meet and exceed client expectations.
How Maria creates magic
- Maria loves a challenge and generates an almost endless flow of inventive ideas and solutions for clients and team members alike.
Successful project snapshot
- Directed the rebranding of Hillcrest Healthcare, Knoxville’s largest skilled nursing provider, and its three care communities; launched subsequent brands including The Gardens on Lake Brook, a hospice care unit; Hillcrest at Home, a provider of non-medical personal care; and The Mason Center, a healthcare education institution.
- Passionate about the role of nonprofits in building a healthy community, Maria has delivered hundreds of millions of media impressions and supported local nonprofits in sharing their story through local events and campaigns such as Young-Williams Animal Center’s Mardi Growl, Knoxville’s largest pet parade; Knoxville Area Urban League’s Shoes for School, an event that provides thousands of families with school supplies each year; and UScellular’s Black History Month Art Contest with local and regional Boys & Girls Clubs, an annual campaign highlighting student art inspired by African-American heroes.
Education & experience
- Bachelor’s degree in commerce, University of Virginia
- Previous experience in marketing, consumer goods product development and corporate social responsibility.
Joined firm in
- 2018
Community involvement and recognition
- Big Wig Award, Best PR Manager, 2022
- YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley board member
- H3 at the East Tennessee Historical Society founding member
- Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Prelude Society Committee member
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Volunteer Chapter member
- Introduction Knoxville, Class of 2021
A little more
- Northern California native.
- Lives in Knoxville.
- Husband, Kevin; daughters, Avery and Renleigh.
- Has a passion for community building and often can be found at local events.
- Enjoys interior design, personal styling and exploring delicious eateries.
- Enneagram 8: The Challenger / Protector
Back to Team