Meet Macey: The Creative Energy Behind the Stories

Every workplace has that one person who lifts those around them, inspires better work, and manages to make the day feel a little lighter. For Upstream 360, that person is Macey.

A Storyteller Who Brings Clarity, Creativity, and WOW to Every Project 

Macey Phillips, Senior Copywriter and WOW Workshop Leader, recently stepped into a permanent role at Upstream 360 after several years of freelancing and contracting with the team.

Macey isn’t just a writer—she’s a storyteller in every sense of the word. Her gift lies in the way she can take complex ideas, especially in the world of science and innovation, and translate them into narratives that resonate. Whether she’s crafting creative concepts around toothpaste, laundry detergent, and vitamins, or turning dense scientific research into stories that spark, Macey brings clarity and personality to every project she touches.

A Creative Mind with Unmatched Energy

One of the first things you notice about Macey is her energy. It’s contagious. Her enthusiasm fuels brainstorming sessions and elevates every collaboration. She has the rare ability to make others feel heard, valued, and inspired—qualities that make all the difference in a team setting.

One of her favorite parts of the job?  Leading Upstream 360’s WOW Workshops, where collaboration meets creativity in a powerful way.

“I have so much fun coming up with new, exciting ways to dig into the data and get everybody, clients and coworkers alike, to bring their most creative selves to the table.”

As she gets back into the swing of Upstream work, she’s excited to continue pushing those workshops to the next level.

“I want to dig deeper, unlock bigger ideas, and open up everybody’s creativity even more. We work with a lot of people who think they don’t have a creative bone in their body, and I honestly believe that isn’t true. It just takes the right creative exercise to unlock something extraordinary.”

From English Major to Creative Leader

Macey earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Ohio State University, majoring in English and later earning her MFA in Creative Writing in 2022. Over the years, her career has woven together writing, teaching, and editing.

Before joining Upstream 360, Macey worked as a freelance copywriter and creative workshop leader. She also taught high school English and creative writing courses at Ohio State where she served as Managing Editor for OSU’s literary magazine. She’s worked as a children’s book writer and a book editor. Today, she continues publishing short stories, volunteering as a book reviewer, and is working on a novel.

“It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do. I’m still figuring it out! I did a lot of career exploration that circled around writing, reading, and teaching and couldn’t figure out the perfect job that let me do all three.”

Fortunately, Upstream 360 offers the right balance of creativity, collaboration, and strategic thinking. “This job feels tailor-made for me and the skills I’ve honed over the years.”

Having Fun On and Off the Clock

To Macey, Upstream 360’s culture is the best kind of balance: fun, nerdy, occasionally silly, but always deeply serious about science. It is people-first (pets absolutely included) and powered by collaboration, curiosity, and a deep love of snacks.

When she’s off the clock, Macey is happiest spending time with her family, reading and writing, cooking, gardening, and cheering on the Buckeyes and the Bengals. She finds inspiration everywhere—from the books she reads to the tiny details she picks up while people-watching. She also loves learning new things, including one of her favorite hobbies: magic. She loves blowing people’s minds, even if she’s famously bad at keeping the tricks a secret.

More than her talent with words, it’s Macey’s spirit that makes her indispensable. She makes the work better. She makes the people around her better. And she reminds us that storytelling—whether for a brand, a breakthrough, or for the simple joy of imagining—is one of the most powerful tools we have.

We can’t wait to see what story she brings to life next.

Interested in learning more about the work Macey does? Does your product need its story told? Shoot us a message, we’d love to work with you.