Mikala Harden Writer, Creative Director & Founder of Say Hey There
MY PHILOSOPHY
I believe in hand-crafted, meaningful creative.
As the Founder and Creative Director of Say Hey There, an award-winning creative studio rooted in Omaha, Nebraska, my philosophy is that the the best way to promote a cause, connect with potential advocates, and build awareness is through a strategy focused on compelling content, engaging campaigns, and community-grounded storytelling. I help nonprofits and mission-driven organizations harness the power behind strategy, creativity, and collaboration to tell authentic stories and inspire connection.
My story begins with a typewriter.
As a bona fide “library kid,” the kind who loved old things and preferred a typewriter over a pen, my childhood was spent writing and dreaming. As a student, I wrote award-winning short fiction and began to understand that creative writing wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was how I processed the world.
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My career started in a corporate setting as a marketing intern, where I learned how events and experiences come together behind the scenes. A writer at heart, I also spent time as a feature writer and associate editor for a healthcare newsletter with a readership of more than 16,000, penning human-interest stories and white papers. Later, as an Internal Communications Coordinator, I created a corporate newsletter and helped develop strategies to improve communication and efficiency across departments—work that sharpened my ability to listen, ask questions, and build clarity through words.
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Eager to move fully into the creative space, I joined a branding agency as a Creative Writer, producing everything from brand messaging to website copy to original video scripts. As social media began reshaping the marketing landscape, I helped advocate for and build the agency’s social media program, which quickly became a core part of its work. That role eventually evolved into Content Strategist—a role that allowed me to work more deeply at the intersection of creative, strategy, and storytelling.
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With a natural eye for design, a deep appreciation for brand strategy, and a desire to lead with intention, I founded Say Hey There in the summer of 2014. Today, I work as both a strategic leader and collaborative partner, orchestrating the creative arts together to help organizations build awareness, connect with their communities, and inspire action.
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In November 2024, I launched my column, Cause & Culture, produced by The Reader in partnership with Nebraska Public Media. The column highlights diverse local people and organizations driving real change, offering a platform for the people and efforts shaping Omaha’s vitality and cultural landscape—and for the humanity that often deserves a little more room to be seen.
MY CRAFT
Brand Strategy
Clarity & Authenticity
Strategy and authenticity are essential when it comes to building a brand. My approach starts with clarity—understanding an organization’s purpose, mission, and values—then translating that foundation into clear, consistent messaging. From there, I help develop standards that guide how a brand shows up across channels, and find modern, effective ways to tell its story in a way that feels human, relevant, and genuinely connective.​
Storytelling
Narrative & Meaning
Story is at the heart of everything I do. I believe the most effective content doesn’t just inform or promote—it invites people in, reflects shared values, and creates connection. I love shaping stories that feel clear, human, and grounded, and collaborating with organizations to tell them well across programs, initiatives, events, fundraisers, and campaigns. When content works, it feels natural and meaningful.
Creativity
Cultivating Aha Moments
I feel most at home daydreaming over a matcha latte about creative. I care deeply about the right words, the right design choice, the right moment for a brand to show up. I’m drawn to the intersection of language, visual identity, and intention, and I love shaping work that feels thoughtful and current. For me, creativity isn’t about novelty or trends; it’s about clarity, resonance, and that sweet moment when something "clicks" just right.
Awards & Recognition
I’m grateful to have work recognized along the way, including a Pinnacle Award from the Omaha Chapter of the American Marketing Association for excellence in Nonprofit Integrated Marketing. The award recognized a unified, cross-channel campaign spanning social media, email, television, radio, podcasts, and influencer partnerships—affirming the power of thoughtful strategy, collaboration, and cohesive storytelling.
Personal Interests
As a true INFJ, I value self-care and reflection—journaling, yoga, meditation, and curling up in a cozy spot with a good book on a rainy day. I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by my family: Herb (my partner), Louis (my son), and Liliana (my daughter). We love to travel, attend community festivals, and spend time outdoors.
REFERENCES
When I first met with Mikala, she knew exactly what we needed to bring our brand to life. She asked questions that drove to our company’s essence and message—what we wanted to share with the world—and crafted our brand from there. Mikala and her team at Say Hey There created our online presence and streamlined our communication process with clients and amongst our staff, and helped us present our story and our services consistently across platforms. We simply could not be more pleased with our decision to partner with Say Hey There in making our brand a reality.
David White
It has been wonderful to partner directly with Mikala for over five years! She always stays up-to-date on the current treads, presents innovative and creative ways to keep costs within budget, and assists with strategic planning that allows continued growth. Her marketing, branding, and design skills allow her to easily assist with any needs that may arise. Mikala’s hard work ethic, high integrity, and desire to always do what is right, make her an extremely reliable and valuable asset to our organization. Over time, Mikala has helped grow our social media presence and general brand awareness through her support of our internal marketing team. It’s been my pleasure to partner with Say Hey There over the years and work directly with Mikala on a variety of long-term and one-time projects. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organization. I would recommend Say Hey There to any business seeking outstanding marketing and branding assistance.
Chelsey Haas
Mikala manages all of our marketing projects, social media content/campaigns, sponsorship fulfillment, fundraising campaigns, and website updates. No project is too big for her to take on and she was exceptional in prioritizing time, projects and resources to accomplish our goals. Mikala's design work is amazing and everything that she produced for the HCF is exceptional. If you are looking for someone who is organized, professional, and a joy to work; then you need to hire Mikala Harden and Say Hey There.
Chris Blum
Outstanding work from the whole team! Everything from social media campaigns, brand development and design strategy, web, content creation, and so much more. Coming from nonprofit organizations, marketing and communication is vital to our success, and Say Hey There has been the perfect partner for us.
Edwin Lyons
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
BA in Leadership, Bellevue University
Today’s organizations seek people who are confident leaders and can successfully apply effective leadership practices to achieve results. Graduates of Bellevue University's Bachelor's degree in Leadership Program effectively lead people and handle leadership challenges in a variety of interpersonal, group, and organizational settings.
Professional Speaking & Events
Mikala has participated in panels on branding, storytelling, entrepreneurship, and modern marketing at events hosted by the Millard Business Association and Omaha chapters of the American Advertising Federation and International Association of Business Communicators. Her work has been featured in the Omaha Chamber’s We Don’t Coast blog.
Volunteerism & Sponsorships
Mikala has volunteered for, donated in-kind services to, or sponsored the following causes or events: MAHA, GRRRL Camp, OUTNebraska, the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards, the First Responders Foundation, Wear Yellow Nebraska, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Student Celebration Day, and the Heartland Cancer Foundation.
Hildegard of Bingen
"Dare to declare who you are. It is not far from the shores of silence to the boundaries of speech. The path is not long, but the way is deep. You must not only walk there, you must be prepared to leap."