Our Team
Meet the core strategy team at NUG
Nicole
Nicole is the founder of Nug Digital Marketing and has been running this global agency for seven years, directing the accounts for hundreds of companies ranging in size from small start-ups to multi-billion dollar companies. Prior to opening Nug, she directed a global marketing firm for 14 years which is still operating.
She founded Nug because she saw a need as the cannabis industry began to gain traction and business owners came to her for assistance. Prior to Nug, she worked professionally as a graphic designer, art director and creative director. Also a self-taught website developer, she is passionate about alternative healthcare and medications, and is leading the agency in shaping effective and powerful campaigns and media choices that increase client awareness, market share and sales. She has an intuitive ability to understand client needs and is a master cannabis industry connector, often between agency clients.
She is currently on the board of the Coachella Valley Cannabis Alliance Network, has served as the President of Portland New Generations Rotary Club and is a frequent speaker on topics such as digital marketing and branding. Nicole graduated with a B.S in Graphic Design and Advertising from San Jose State. Born in Oregon, she now lives in Southern California and enjoys hiking, cooking and spending time with her husband and two standard poodles when not working.
Founder/CEO
Dennis
An ex-Google employee, Dennis has more than 14 years of experience in the field of Digital Marketing with a focus on Search Engine Optimization, Pay Per Click Advertising, and all things digital marketing. After graduating from MIT School of Management in Digital Marketing Analytics and the Institute of Management & Technology with an MBA in IT and Supply Chain Management, he began his career working to assist both local companies and international global brands. Now working on his PhD, Dennis has a passion for data and internet marketing and puts it to work helping Nug clients achieve their business goals. No stranger to high caliber work and efficient timelines, he serves as Director of Digital Operations and looks to take his vast knowledge and experience of all things “digital” to deliver the best strategy to execute customized marketing programs including SEO, geofencing, video, email marketing and display ads.
Digital Operations
Lea
Lea Goodsell brings with her more than 20 years of business development, branding, marketing and advertising experience and will serve as the Director of Marketing. She has been an ad agency owner and worked as the in-house Vice President of Business Development for a $40M company, so she understands not just how to bring customers to the door, but what the customer experience should be once they get there. She also adds a great depth of knowledge in traditional media including print, electronic and outdoor. A devoted Burning Man attendee, Lea is also a Past President and Assistant Governor for Rotary, a meticulous proofreader and hat and jewelry designer.
Director of Marketing
Sam
Sam has over 20 years experience in marketing, and has worked with Fortune 500 companies all the way down to local businesses. A native Floridian, Sam’s goal is to find the right mixture of digital services to help clients reach their goals. Every business has a unique set of challenges and strengths and the right marketing plan should reflect that. Sam has worked in many different industries including Financial Institutions, Automotive, Tourism, Retail, Real Estate, US Military, B2B, and Higher Education having helped execute well over 5,000 campaigns over the years.
Sam measures his success by how much his clients succeed and continue to work with him and refer clients.
Sam enjoys spending his free time with his two small children and wife enjoying the simple things in life such as family, sunshine and lot’s of laughter.
Director of New Business Development
Joy
Joy is a marketing professional from the Philippines. She has more than 9 years of experience with different industries including travel and tourism, pharmaceuticals, automotive and other B2B and B2C companies. She have an excellent understanding of digital marketing campaigns such as email marketing, social media management and advertising, graphic design, web design as well as a background in video production for commercials and others. Joy also has proven record of success achieved through diligence, hard work and belief in a consistent application of the fundamentals of our clients. Her attention to the work field ensures that every task she works on is done accurately and with highest possible standard.
Aside from being a loving mother of 2 sons, she is also a pet lover. She has 3 cats and 2 large dogs and birds. She and her husband breeds 20+ pairs of cockatiels and conure at home.
Marketing Assistant
Sabina
With more than 15 years of experience in the field of web development, Sabina has gained a vast wealth of knowledge and skills pertaining to the creation and maintenance of WordPress and other website development platforms.
She stays abreast of the latest advancements in the industry, which prior to Spot led to a very successful career working with a diverse range of clients on various projects. Her exceptional design capabilities serve as a valuable asset, and she consistently delivers high-quality, visually appealing and user-friendly websites that meet and exceed client needs and expectations.
Married with a son, Sabina also serves as a mentor to women and girls interested in tech and IT in her home country of Bosnia. She also has a deep appreciation for the natural world, finding solace and inspiration in the beauty of nature.
Senior Developer