Fun Fact: Family legend has it that Nicole’s great (x13) grandmother was the first woman in Jamestown.
Nicole van Esselstyn is a mover.
In life: 12 moves, 5 states, 25 years. In work: from journalist to freelancer to consultant.
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Nicole started with Rhudy & Co. in 2005 as a freelance writer and now works across all segments of our client base as a senior account executive and communications consultant. She also leads our Design Practice Team of three designers and one project manager to ensure our work is innovative, excellent and the right solution for our clients.
An honors graduate of James Madison University, Nicole was the editor-in-chief of JMU’s newspaper, The Breeze, and earned a bachelor’s in mass communication, a concentration in print journalism and a minor in psychology.
Nicole worked for several newspapers as reporter and editor and was running the front page of The Progress-Index in Petersburg when the infamous O.J. Simpson verdict was announced. Nicole had already put one edition to press that day and then immediately reworked the front page for a special edition. In her newspaper career, Nicole earned recognition from The Virginia Press Association for design and content.
Following her time in newspapers, including a regular contributor role with The Miami Herald, Nicole worked in nonprofit communications and was a freelance writer and editor for magazines and local businesses.
Nicole recently moved to Richmond, Va., from New Jersey with her husband, Drew, a missionary with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has two children in college.