Paulette brings to Zehno — and its clients — an unusual combination of entrepreneurial vision, business sophistication, and creative approaches to marketing communications strategies and tools. Based on her experience as an art director at Tulane and the University of Wisconsin, Paulette and her partner Kathy Cain founded a new kind of firm in 1984, focused on addressing the communications opportunities of clients — particularly in the education and not-for-profit sectors — while emphasizing design excellence.

As a devoted trend-watcher, Paulette was early to spot the advantages of synergism between print and Web applied to the communications needs of higher education. In 2000, she reimagined and renamed the business; Zehno Cross Media Communications was born. The Zehno is a cross between a zebra and a rhinoceros; a cross-breed animal serving as an apt mascot for a firm engaged in cross media communications. Zehno was the first full-service national boutique firm specializing in higher education communication to completely integrate cross-media services.

Paulette was one of 29 American designers chosen to attend AIGA's Design Expedition to China in May of 2008. The trip included 4 cities and tours of approximately 15 ad agencies, design studios and the three most prestigious art institutes in China today. Her work was subsequently published in China's Package & Design Magazine. 

Paulette was also a U. S. Delegate to the The Icograda World Design Congress in Havana, Cuba, the largest and most comprehensive design event in the world with participation from national design associations in 49 countries. Check out her photos of both these experiences. 

Paulette, whose background also includes interior design, also created the Zehno’s habitat — a studio space in New Orleans whose design has drawn the attention of HOW magazine, among others. She found the building (which was not then for sale), negotiated the sales agreement, worked with the architects, and oversaw the buildout. She also contributed her mid-life Miata to become the Zehnomobile, acclaimed on the streets of New Orleans.

Paulette enjoys putting her business savvy and creative outlook to work supporting the arts and causes that benefit young people. She’s particularly aware of the importance of encouraging the talent of developing artists from underserved populations and is currently serving as Board President of YA/YA (Young Aspirations/Young Artists). At her initiation, Zehno supports (and outfits with dramatic black-and-yellow uniforms) a children’s soccer team near Antigua, Guatemala. In recognition of her entrepreneurial success and her community spirit, she was chosen Woman of the Year by New Orleans CityBusiness in 2001.