Straightforward’s consulting services refine how our clients present themselves to the world, and enable them to form deeper, genuine connections to their audience and colleagues.
 
We think in the big picture, offering strategic approaches, efficient marketing solutions, and relationship-building resources to help each client grow and define their brand in ways that are relevant to their individual culture, set of values and goals. Melding methodologies from the business and non-profit worlds, our collaborations forge holistic, forward thinking, relationship-based paths that lead to long-term success.
 
Our work is informed by an acuity for visual communications, our intuitive nature, and our keen interest in healthy organizational development. Services include marketing, branding, strategic planning, art direction, business and organizational development, philanthropy, fundraising.

Straightforward’s community of clients includes builders, architects, arts and environmental non-profit organizations, interior designers and creative professionals.
 
Straightforward supports organizations including Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, Friends of the Urban Forest, Headlands Center for the Arts, KQED, National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy, San Francisco Food Bank, Southern Exposure, Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, and is an active user of the City CarShare non-profit.

 
Catherine Dauer is a right-brain person living a left-brain life. The perspective she brings to her work as a strategist and creative director is deeply connected to the art of making, from years of experience in roles within the arts, building and design industries.
 
Prior to founding Straightforward in 2007, Catherine directed branding, marketing and communications for a prominent San Francisco custom builder, worked in all facets of development at an international artist residency center, and managed the Interdisciplinary program at a prestigious fine art college. In a previous life Catherine was a fine artist and chef.
 
Catherine has served in Board leadership, committee and advisory positions with arts, civic and human services non-profit organizations, including Board Chair for the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery and the National Arts Advisory Committee for Ox-Bow School of Art & Artist Residency. She is an occasional guest critic and program participant with the American Institute of Architects San Francisco and California College of the Arts.
 
Catherine earned her BA in Art History with an Architecture minor from the University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, Architecture & Planning.