Tori Thomas
CEO & Co-Founder
Tori Thomas is the CEO and Co-Founder of Circa Brand Agency, where she helps organizations build brands designed to endure.
As Circa’s creative and strategic lead, Tori is responsible for shaping the agency’s vision and ensuring every engagement creates measurable value for clients. Her work sits at the intersection of design, business strategy, and stewardship, helping organizations clarify who they are, communicate it consistently, and build systems that support long-term growth.
A Texas native, Tori began her career in Nashville as a graphic designer at Seigenthaler Public Relations (now Finn Partners), where she worked with clients including the Tennessee Arts Commission and contributed to award-winning creative campaigns. She later served as Design Director for The Ensworth School, earning national recognition as a finalist in AIGA’s Command X competition.
Over the last decade, Tori has led brand initiatives for organizations ranging from regional nonprofits to national companies, while helping grow Circa from a two-person freelance partnership into an agency serving clients across the country. She is particularly passionate about helping businesses create brands that can thrive beyond any single campaign, leader, or season of growth.
Education:
- BFA, Graphic Design, Auburn University, 2005–2009
- University of Oxford, British Studies Abroad, Architecture and English Literature, 2007
- Istituto Lorenzo de’Medici, Art History – Criticism and Conservation, 2008
- Yale University – Business Certificate, Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders, 2014
Awards/Accomplishments:
- Nashville Business Journal, Women of Influence 2025
- Addy Awards, Best in Show Interactive, 2012
- AIGA Command X finalist, 2013
- Panel Guest at Ladies Wine and Design, Kalamazoo 2018
- Adjunct Professor of Typography, Western Michigan University 2018
- Addy Award Judge Southeast Region 2021
- Nashville Design Week Panelist, 2022
- The Entrepreneurs’ Organization, 2023–26
- Podcast guest on Creative Waffle 2018, Down the Foxhole 2017, The Entrepreneur Way 2018, and Winning through Culture 2023
- Proud mom of three
Fun Fact: Before leading a national brand agency, Tori grew up in a log cabin in Texas with no television. Her town was small enough that her graduating class had just 13 students.
Reading, Listening, Watching.
Our team’s current favorites.









