Keeven White

Keeven White, founder of WhiteSpace Creative, launched his career at The Little Tikes Company, a division of Rubbermaid. For seven years, he managed a creative team responsible for the company's print collateral and advertising materials, as well as redeveloped a comprehensive packaging identity.

Going from corporate employee to founder of a communications firm was a 
very natural transition for Keeven. Raised in a family that owned and operated a printing company, he had early exposure to the challenges of managing a small business. In fact, the printing company was where Keeven gained a solid background in printing technology and a strong work ethic. Those very attributes are the foundation of WhiteSpace’s creative solutions, and are continually reflected in the agency's daily efforts. “It’s very gratifying to see people develop, both as individuals and as a team,” shares Keeven. "I also love the ‘wow’ factor - when you deliver something that's beyond a client’s expectations.”

Keeven openly shares with expertise and experience with the community through a variety of speaking engagements, such as a 2010 Smart Business Akron Live Luncheon at InfoCision Stadium and a recent Small-Business Branding Q&A session with The Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce. He also is on the Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors as marketing committee chair and a member of its nominations committee.

In addition to WhiteSpace’s corporate honors, Keeven has been recognized for his individual business, creative and community service efforts. In 2009, the Cascade Capital Business Growth Awards honored Keeven with an Entrepreneurial Spirit Award for leading a dynamic, growing organization and inspiring others through innovative business practice. In 2007, Keeven was named Entrepreneur of the Year by The Small Business Council of the Greater Akron Chamber, an economic development organization committed to building a strong, innovative community in Northeast Ohio. The Greater Akron Chamber and LIVE Publishing also presented Keeven with a first-annual 30 for the Future Award, recognizing him among 30 other young professionals who are making an impact on the region through leadership, entrepreneurship and/or community service.

The prior year, Keeven received a 2006 Small Business Leadership Award 
from the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) North Central Ohio Chapter in recognition of his firm's ongoing pro-bono contributions to non-profit organizations throughout Northeast Ohio. Keeven was also appointed a member of Crain's Cleveland Business inaugural 40 Under 40 class in 2003. A graduate of Kent State University, he has a B.F.A. in Visual Communications.