Meet the team
Every word we write, every message we convey, and every story we share is a step toward a better and more connected community.
-
Elaisa Acosta, M.A., M.S.
Founder | Business Strategy and PR Sustainability Director
-
Chris Lahey
Public Policy and Advocacy Communications Director
-
Arbella Issa
Media Relations and Digital Communications Director
Meet our advisory board
-
Dr. Silvia Harris-Payne brings a wealth of executive management expertise to the financial services sector and education. She has a proven track record of success with a dynamic background encompassing product development, product management, marketing, brand development, and strategic planning.
Dr. Harris-Payne multifaceted experience spans banking, lending, and senior executive roles at Visa International, as well as second career as a professor, bridging academia and industry expertise. Her addition to our Advisory Board enhances our ability to make a profound impact in PR and Communications leadership acumen.
Connect with Dr. Harris-Payne on LinkedIn
-
Arnoldo Mendez, a Senior Service Engineer at GE Healthcare with over 25 years of experience in the healthcare sector. His impressive background, including participation in engineering programs at prestigious institutions like Stanford and UCSF, underscores his commitment to excellence.
Arnoldo's passion for empowering teams and mentoring emerging engineers resonates with our mission of making a meaningful impact and giving back to the community. Arnoldo's insights into healthcare industry trends and challenges and technical expertise will significantly enhance our agency's ability to navigate the intricate healthcare landscape effectively.
Connect with Elaisa on LinkedIn
-
Daniel Magallanes, a cybersecurity veteran with almost two decades of impressive track record in government and the private sector, currently serving as Cigna Information Protection's Director, equips our team with deep insights into cyber threats.
Daniel's leadership experience includes areas like Cyber Threat Intelligence and Threat Hunt, enhancing cybersecurity awareness and reducing global risk.
His dedication to mentoring aspiring cybersecurity professionals and promoting diversity in the field aligns perfectly with our mission to capture a diverse range of thoughts and perspectives on our advisory board, making him an invaluable contributor to our agency.
-
Dr. Hobbins is a dedicated professional with a rich history in the sustainable business industry, dating back to 2014 when they launched a small sustainable tourism venture in Arizona. This endeavor focused on environmental education, the responsible stewardship of natural resources, and creating positive societal impacts. Dr. Hobbins subsequently pursued an academic journey to deepen their expertise, earning an MS in Sustainable Community Development in 2016 and a PhD in Sustainability in 2020, both from Arizona State University.
Building on their educational foundation, Dr. Hobbins completed a postdoctoral position in Environmental Sustainability at Georgia State University in 2022. Their professional journey spans nearly two decades, with experience ranging from water quality analysis for the Ohio EPA to flood resilience work with the USDA Forest Service in Puerto Rico and water security and conservation projects in the Western USA with the Sonoran Institute.
Dr. Hobbins is an Assistant Professor of Sustainability and Management at the UC Denver Business School.
Connect with Robert on LinkedIn
-
Ashu is a Senior Compliance and People Operations Manager with over 18 years of HR, Change Management, Coaching, and mentoring career, marked by roles at prominent organizations like Moody's RMS, Facebook, and General Electric, which makes her a prized addition to our advisory board.
She holds an MBA in Human Resource Management, PHR Certification, and HR Audit Certification. Ashu's HR, compliance, and data analytics expertise is valuable for our PR and Communications agency and will enhance our strategic HR decisions and practices.
Connect with Ashu on LinkedIn
-
Lecturer at Haas School of Business in Leadership Communications, Executive Coach, & Facilitator
Ariela is an accomplished executive coach with a passion for infusing vitality, clarity, and confidence into leadership voices and presences. With over two decades of professional performance experience, she leverages her expertise in actor training, body movement analysis, and vocal pedagogy to empower her clients to occupy more space and communicate authentically with passion.
Ariela's impact extends to the academic realm, where she serves as a Leadership Communications lecturer at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and the Center for Executive Education, guiding MBA students and executives towards effective communication strategies. She also conducts workshops and coaching sessions throughout the Bay Area, both independently and as part of the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute (BECI), where she contributes to the training of future coaches through their flagship certification programs.
Connect with Arbella on LinkedIn
Quote Source
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Certifications
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL
SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
CONFLICT RESOLUTION CERTIFICATE