I worked with John for over four years at Excelligence across both B2B and B2C initiatives. No matter how ambitious the idea, he doesn’t hesitate—he immediately starts shaping it into something strategic and executable. Some of the most successful and creatively fulfilling projects of my career were with him.
What truly sets him apart is his balance of creativity, strategy, and accountability. He pushes teams to think bigger while staying grounded in data and customer insight—an incredibly rare trait in a creative leader. He keeps the customer at the center of every decision and knows how to translate vision into results.
John also excels at expectation-setting, project management, and communicating clearly about his team’s capacity and strengths. He’s exceptionally talented and would be an asset to any organization looking for a talented individual who can elevate both ideas and people.
Kelly Middendorf, Senior Director of Marketing
I had the privilege of working closely with John Forsht during our time at Excelligence Learning Corp, where he served as Senior Creative Director and I worked as Senior Design & Print Manager.
Throughout our partnership, I was consistently impressed by his talent, vision, and ability to transform complex marketing concepts into compelling, customer-focused communications.
One of his greatest strengths is his ability to bridge the gap between executive leadership and creative execution. Many times, CEOs and senior leaders know the business challenge they need to solve but don't yet have a clear vision for how to communicate it. He excels at taking those early-stage ideas and shaping them into strategic, customer-focused solutions. His ability to identify opportunities, create a compelling vision, and confidently present and sell ideas to stakeholders is exceptional. Through a combination of creative talent, business understanding, and strong communication skills, he consistently transformed concepts into impactful marketing initiatives that delivered results.
His ability to combine creative excellence with practical execution made a significant impact on our marketing efforts and the overall success of the company. I highly recommend him as a creative leader, strategic thinker, and marketing partner who consistently delivers exceptional results.
Virginia Amaro, Senior Print Design Manager
Excelligence Learning Corporation
I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand how John Forsht gives back to our community—not just through his talent as a Senior Creative Director at Excelligence, but through his generosity and heart. For the past five years, John has faithfully donated art supplies to the Santa Cruz SPCA’s summer camp program, giving young people the chance to explore creativity in a meaningful way.
He has also provided beautifully curated gift baskets for Head Start teachers, a gesture that reminds educators how valued they are.
Most recently, John’s contribution of educational science kits to the Academy of Science has helped spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of learners. John’s philanthropy isn’t about recognition—it’s about impact. His dedication to supporting children, teachers, and our community is truly remarkable, and I’m honored to celebrate his generosity.
Mary Whaley,
Director of School and Youth Programs
California Academy of Sciences
John has a vision for creative communications that I am always grateful for and rely on when it comes to art direction. When merchandise or information needs to hit home with an audience, John sees the way foreword in any visual and experiential medium.
Michelle Magdalena Maddox, Michelle Magdalena Photography
I’ve had the privilege of working under John’s management, and he’s exactly the kind of director you hope for: understanding, approachable, and easy to collaborate with. He brings out the best in his team without making the process feel heavy or rigid.
John’s creative range is hard to overstate. Ideas come to him effortlessly, and he has a real gift for finding angles others wouldn’t think to try. He built a full CGI initiative for the furniture side of the business from scratch, something that didn’t exist before he stepped in. He’s flexible in how he gets there, but never compromises on brand integrity or quality.
Brayan Rojas Rodriguez, Circulation and Product Coordinator
I’ve worked with John on countless creative projects for over a decade. After all this time, I’m still impressed by his consistency in producing fresh, exciting ideas that cut right to the heart of a project.
John is also excellent at balancing the wants of various stakeholders without compromising his own integrity and high standards. I know that when we work on a project together, the result will be something everyone involved is proud of.
Justin Robinson, Freelance Copy Writer
I worked for John as a freelancer at Excelligence and it was a great experience. Managing creative strategy across so many brands is a huge undertaking, but John was always clear about the vision and very easy to collaborate with.
He has a sharp eye for brand strategy and knows exactly how to get great work out of his team. I learned a lot from watching him manage the creative process, and I’d highly recommend him to anyone looking for an experienced, effective creative lead.
Charlotte Kennedy, Content Creator
I had the opportunity to work under John's leadership for many years at Discount School Supply, where he served as Creative Director and steward of the brand across all marketing channels; digital, print and trade shows. John created the overall brand identity for Discount School Supply, he has always been deeply invested in maintaining a consistent and recognizable brand identity, and he championed that vision throughout the organization.
Working with him strengthened my understanding of the importance of brand consistency and how thoughtful design decisions contribute to a cohesive customer experience. He encouraged designers to consider the bigger picture beyond individual projects and helped refine creative work to better align with the company's overall brand standards.
Throughout my time on the team, he was also available as a sounding board for ideas and challenges, and I appreciated the opportunity to learn from his extensive experience and long standing commitment to the Discount School Supply brand.
Michelle Gavaldon, Senior Digital Design Manager
I had the privilege of working with John Forsht for more than ten years, and without hesitation, I can say he was one of the best hires I made throughout my career.
As Art Director reporting directly to me while I served as Director of Publications, John was instrumental in the success of our Graphic Design Department, which included Graphic Design, Photography, Copywriting, and Catalog Coordination. We partnered on countless initiatives—from offsite photo shoots and brand introductions to product redesigns, cover artwork, and integrated marketing campaigns. His artistic talent is exceptional, but what truly distinguishes John is his ability to transform creative vision into compelling work that strengthens a brand and delivers results.
John is an incredibly gifted artist with remarkable creativity, an exceptional eye for design, and an instinctive understanding of visual storytelling. Whether developing a new brand identity or refining an existing one, he consistently produced work that exceeded expectations. He approaches every project with passion, originality, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Beyond his creative abilities, John is an outstanding professional. He is dependable, meticulous, and dedicated to doing things the right way—not simply the fastest way. He thrives under pressure, manages competing priorities with ease, and can always be counted on to meet deadlines without sacrificing quality. As colleagues, we worked side by side for years, brainstorming ideas, solving challenges, mentoring our team, and celebrating our successes together. His collaborative nature made him not only an invaluable creative partner but also a trusted leader within our department.
One of John's greatest strengths is the positive energy he brings to every team. He has a wonderful sense of humor and an infectious enthusiasm that makes even the most demanding projects enjoyable. He naturally builds strong relationships, encourages those around him, and elevates the work of everyone on the team.
John combines extraordinary artistic talent with professionalism, integrity, creativity, and genuine leadership. I recommend him without reservation. Any organization would be fortunate to have him on their team, and I am confident he will make a lasting and meaningful impact wherever he goes.
Megan Shaw, Global Programs Director STEBO Systems