Donald Schindler

Managing Director

Donald Schindler

Who is Don Schindler?

A chameleon. It’s actually a part of my Strengthsfinders 2.0 – I lead with Adaptability.

A former bartender. I learned invaluable lessons in customer service, specifically in the value of really listening to people.

A bubblehead or, in Navy jargon, a submariner. I served on the USS Woodrow Wilson SSBN 624. Although being a submariner isn’t for everyone, I believe everyone should serve, if not with the military, in some fashion.

A Hollywood news writer. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely you’ll ever read anything I wrote because the company is no more.

A hack flash designer and graphic artist. Maybe you’re a hack, too. How can you know for sure? Try to design a logo for someone other than yourself. Believe me, it will teach you a great deal about patience and tolerance, while also showing you just how difficult a designer’s job really is. Difficult.

A marketing copywriter. And, no, not a hack writer. I’m actually pretty good. Sometimes.

A customer service rep. Again, if you’ve never had to be on the receiving end of something that wasn’t your fault, never doubt just how rough the job really is. Rough.

A KFC employee of the month. Remember Chicken Littles? I’ll never forget them. Loved Chicken Littles!

A rugby player. I played inside and outside center, as well as some wing, but I had to give it up. Today, I help coach the official Notre Dame Rugby Club.

A Notre Dame graduate student. I have an M.F.A. English, Creative Writing.

A McNair scholarship winner. They still harass me about not getting a PhD. Someday, maybe.

A Product Marketing Manager/Marketing Director. It’s a weird, weird thing for me, but I really love marketing.

But, what matters most of all to me is that I’m a Christian, a husband, and a father of three. Still, all of the “stuff” that I did before—everything that I thought was just a bunch of random crap that kept happening to me—really helps me to do the best job for you.

I’m the Director of AgencyND.

Kolbe A Index Results (What is the Kolbe A Index?)

4-2-9-3

What do you do at AgencyND?  What’s so cool about that?

I'm the Managing Director - I don't entirely know what that means but I hope I do a good job of giving all the credit to the incredibly talented group working here at the Agency and take all the blame when things don't work out as well as we hoped. I think that's what managers are supposed to do.

What do you do in your down time?

I really love hanging with my family.  They are awesome.  But on the side, I snowboard, ride my Harley, have started coaching rugby and, of course, working out.  I hate running, though.  Really, really hate it.

What did you dream you would do when you were a kid?

Being Stephen King.  I wanted to scare people with my writing.

How can you contact Don?