
Social Media Specialist | Graphic Designer
Grace’s Professional Life
When I was little, it was not uncommon for me to fall asleep on top of a coloring book with my crayon still in hand and it was the common consensus in my family that I would be an artist when I grew up.
Sure enough, on the first day of my design class junior year of high school, I decided I wanted to be a graphic designer.
This past May, I graduated from the University of Dayton with a BFA in graphic design and minors in marketing and art history. Over my four years at UD, I held many design and communication-related positions with the University of Dayton Athletics Program, and the University of Dayton Department of Management & Marketing. I also worked as an intern for MKDS, a one-woman brand and web design studio based in Carmel, Indiana.
I first heard about MJ2 Marketing from one of my professors and after my first interview with a bubbly and enthusiastic Lisa Moore, something felt right. I told my mom, “Mom, I might be moving to Columbus.”



Grace’s Personal Life
Being from Oak Lawn, Illinois, a suburb on the southern border of Chicago, I grew up knowing to root for the Chicago White Sox before I knew my ABCs.
My family is a competitive and sarcastic bunch. My dad played quarterback in college, my mom is a crazy running marathon lady, and my sister has done a little bit of everything from gymnastics, volleyball, lacrosse, you name it.
As for me, volleyball has my heart as I have played competitively since I was eleven, even throughout college for UD’s club team. It has been a tough transition away from the structure offered by the sport, and I have since taken up running and cooking. Italian dinners are my love language and I consider one of my biggest talents creating a meal from a nearly empty fridge.


Q&A with Grace Reilly
What is your favorite thing about working at MJ2?
Easily, my coworkers. MJ2 has been such a fantastic place to grow my skill set and flourish as both a designer and a young professional. I am so grateful to be surrounded every day by a multifaceted team of motivated individuals who are always willing to turn a routine task into a mentorship opportunity.
If you could trade skills for a day with another MJ2 team member, who would it be and why?
Although I would gladly trade skills with any team member, I would say if I had to choose, I would trade my skills for Jordan’s knowledge of all things website and code related. Understanding the back end of what exists on the internet is so fascinating to me and is something that I would love to expand my knowledge on in the future.
How do you stay current in your areas of expertise?
I am a big fan of Debbie Millman’s podcast Design Matters. I also am an avid follower of all things Pentagram as I find everything they create so inspiring.
What are your top 3 favorite Columbus-based companies?
(Can you tell I am a fan of good food?)
Blue Jackets, Crew, Clippers, or Wild Dogs?
Although I would consider myself a primary supporter of Chicago sports teams (I know, I am sorry), I have been trying to get to a Blue Jackets game.
What is your favorite relaxing activity?
I love to walk outdoors. I have been on a mission lately to hike in and hit up every one of the Metro Parks.
What are you currently reading?
When We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate.
What is your motto or personal mantra?
I have a few, but one that is always top of mind is, “Do your best because you can’t do anything more than your best.”
How do you take your coffee?
I love a good hot, seasonal latte.
If you were a baseball player, what song would you walk out to?
Easily Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley.
What is your favorite restaurant in Columbus?
Oh gosh, that is an impossible question. If I had to choose as of right now, I really like Forno.
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