Nilé Livingston

Founder & CEO

Nilé Livingston (she/her/they) is an award-winning Visual Artist. Institutions have recognized their work far and wide, including the Philadelphia Business Journal, Rad Girls Awards, The Colored Girls Museum, and Mural Arts Philadelphia. In 2017, Livingston founded Creative Repute, LLC, where they work with a team of specialists in graphic design, website & app development, strategic marketing, and brand identity. In 2020, Livingston ranked amongst Philly Magazine’s 76 "Most Influential People" in the city. In 2022, Livingston’s street artworks were listed in Australia’s Thrill List as attractions to Philadelphia.

Sandra Skinner

Lead Account Manager

Sandra Kierra Skinner-Andino (she/her) is an Account Manager for Creative Repute whose bright and professional demeanor makes communication a breeze. She's a self-motivated person who loves building and maintaining lasting relationships with others. Born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, Sandra is a graduate of The University of Arts, earning a B.A. in Writing For Film and Television. She worked on several independent films in Philadelphia before shifting her focus to sales and management. She spends her free time exploring the city with her husband and two children. Sandra has a passion for books, podcasts, and developing her "green thumb" in her tiny home garden.

Nahid LaCiura

COO

Nahid LaCiura (she/her) is Creative Repute’s senior Project Manager Officer. With a technical background as a Full-Stack developer and more than 17 years of experience as a project manager, organizational change management consultant, organizational process, and technical implementations analyst. She is well-versed in a mix of Agile and Waterfall project management methodologies, operations and process engineering, project planning, team building, communication, and web and mobile app development projects. Nahid enjoys challenges and opportunities that will expand her creativity and skill set. She is very familiar with a fast-paced project execution environment. She strives to stay up-to-date with the rapid changes within the design and technology industries to utilize state-of-the-art tools best suited for the project at hand. She works closely with clients to actualize their vision with a fast, responsive, clean, and functional product with the end user in mind. In her spare time, Nahid is an FAA-licensed remote pilot, and she enjoys drone photography.

Joyce Bissingou

Graphic Designer

Joyce Bissingou (she/her) Born in France and raised in the UK, Joyce is a multidisciplinary designer who juggles graphic design, 3D art, video production, and more. She provides critical design services such as company branding, logos, social media content, advertisements, and web design. Joyce aims to bring a unique yet practical approach to her projects, never forgetting to have fun as it drives her creativity. Marrying her background in broadcast journalism with her artistic talent has given Joyce the ability to visually communicate one of her strongest talents along with problem-solving and marketing. For Joyce, great design can be as simple as taking one keyword and bringing it to life! When she’s not behind the computer, she’s busy perfecting her bedroom DJ skills and baking sweets to share with her puppy, Kobe.

Ellen Eckert

Account Manager

Ellen Eckert (she/her) is an Account Manager for Creative Repute. She's personable and friendly with a keen eye for detail, with a passion for customer service and social relationships. Ellen is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University, earning a B.A. in sociology and an M.A. in public administration and public policy. She worked as a college instructor and restaurant manager in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before shifting her focus to account management. She was inspired by the power of strategic designs and wanted to support businesses achieving success through impactful marketing. She recently relocated to Germany and enjoys exploring the beautiful Bavarian landscape and hanging out at her favorite vegan restaurants around Munich.

Jaz Riley

Writer & Strategist

Jaz Riley (they/them) is a Ph.D. candidate at Yale University and prior military personnel. Jaz has an M.A. in English and an M.Phil in African American Studies and American Studies. At Creative Repute, Jaz serves as a Strategist and Copywriter specializing in qualitative analysis. They work both visually and linguistically to communicate the client’s message so that it is accessible to a diverse audience while enhancing details such as grammar, syntax, and tone. Jaz’s work is informed by their everyday life as a southern raised, well-traveled, educated Black person. In their spare time, they enjoy reading about both lighthearted topics and important Black and Brown politics.

Ellen Dela Cerna

Accountancy Assistant

Ellen Dela Cerna (she/her) graduated with a B.S. in Accountancy before starting her career as an accounting assistant. As her career unfolded, she became an Accounting Supervisor and Virtual Assistant. In her free time, Ellen especially enjoys the company of her daughter. She also loves to read and watch documentaries and films. Her favorite genres are mystery, action, and sci-fi.

Nayana Satani

Graphic Designer

Nayana Satani (she/her) is a Graphic Designer with a B.E. in Computer Engineering. She worked for several graphic design agencies before joining the Creative Repute team. Nayana is skilled in Adobe Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, and video editing. She loves singing, drawing, and cooking in her free time, and she has a particular interest in quilling. Quilling is the art of rolling, shaping, and gluing together paper strips to create decorative designs. Nayana is involved in social work as a quilling tutor at Bolbala Charitable Trust Rajkot.

Bhavesh Satani

Layout Designer

Bhavesh Satani (he/him) is a Graphic Designer who has been a part of the Creative Repute team since 2018. Though he has a B.A. in Business, he chose design as a career. Bhavesh is highly skilled in the entirety of the Adobe Creative Suite. He has many years of experience in website design, layout design, and video editing. Bhavesh enjoys doodling, watching animations, and reading about anything his curiosity leads him to in his spare time.

Soumik Biswas

Integration Manager

SB (he/him) has always been fascinated by the web and development field. He started by building websites for friends and technology enthusiasts with simple machine forums platforms. He became an integral part of the development of these platforms before moving on to various projects that required advanced proficiency in WordPress. SB is always looking for a new challenge and has expanded his focus to back-end development, including website maintenance, server updates, and hosting administration. As Integration Manager, SB’s education in Computer Applications and his wide range of experience working on unique projects are vital assets. When he is not working, SB enjoys spending time with his family, reading books, and conducting home improvement projects.

Thu Lai

Graphic Designer

Thu Lai (he/him) is a graphic designer for Creative Repute. He comes from a small town in South Vietnam where he worked as a 3D character modeler for a Japanese game company. Thu pivoted into the graphic design industry after unlocking a passion for abstract problem-solving. Thu prides himself on his attention to detail and client communication skills. While Thu is always eager to learn new software, he is proficient in Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, XD, Premiere Pro, and Maya. When he isn’t diligently working on graphic design projects, he spends his free time expanding his skill set in multiple areas. Some of his favorite hobbies are mastering animation, playing the guitar, painting, and exploring the world of landscape and macro photography.

Alison Lutren

Accountant

Alison Lutren (she/her) is our Accountant and resident accounting enthusiast! She has strong attention to detail and a passion for financial analytics. Alison loves leveraging her understanding of numbers to help make a positive difference and educate others. Outside of work you can find her enjoying time with her husband and three dogs, going on hikes, traveling to car shows, cycling, or indulging in a good movie or book.

Brad Osborne

WordPress Developer

Bradley Osborne (he/him/they) is a multi-faceted web developer and graphic designer from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with nearly a decade of experience in front-end web development and media design. Brad currently specializes in WordPress Development with Creative Repute implementing vibrant, creative designs for clients’ websites that are clear, intuitive, and complementary to their customers. With his vast industry experience, he is enthusiastic about being of service wherever he can. Brad has endless knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. He is actively researching new technologies that improve the quality of his products. He wants his clients to have cutting-edge designs that represent their branding and identity online. At the beginning of Brad’s career, he had hands-on experience designing and developing websites for multiple companies and artists. He was a designer and front-end developer for Agility Marketing, which gave him ample knowledge of web development, SEO, and social media growth. He also has worked as a photographer and graphic designer for companies such as Inter-State Studios and Copies at Carson. With this array of experience, he is confident in his work and has a keen eye for how the products he develops for his clients should look and feel. Brad is also eagerly involved in his local community. He has assisted a well-known arts festival Art All Night Pittsburgh, for several years with their WordPress site and organization. He designed promotional materials for the non-profit Hack PGH, a cooperatively owned community-based workshop that gives skills and tools for people to provide creative projects. Brad designed projects for Meta Mesh Wireless Communities, a non-profit Wireless Internet Service Provider that uses the latest mesh network technologies that provide internet directly to those without access. His community has played a crucial part in his career, and he looks forward to being more active and helping wherever he is needed. Growing up with a musical background helped Brad appreciate and be passionate about art. He also understands that online presence is significant for communicating and developing successful brand identities for artists and businesses. He is very motivated to create quality websites that represent who they are so that their customers want to be actively engaged with their company and products. Brad enjoys being active outside of work. He loves to play music and go to concerts. He has won several competitions that have allowed him the opportunity to play significant concerts and events. Apart from music, Brad enjoys biking, hiking, and traveling. One of his proud accomplishments and fondest memories is camping in Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia and biking all the way to Carova Beach in North Carolina. He plans one day to bike the whole Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh, PA, to Washington, DC in the future. Brad also really enjoys Photography and Videography. In his career, he has professional experience in photography and has even ended up starting his own company, “Nirv Film and Audio.” He plans on helping his clients with their online presence with his knowledge of photography, videography, and professional audio production, whether social media profile development, YouTube videos, or even podcasts. Even though Brad has a range of projects he takes on, he is devoted to maintaining quality. He is usually accessible and resourceful and is willing to work whenever his services are in need. Feel free to contact him at any time, and he will respond promptly. He is eager to assist wherever he can, whether it is for web development, design, research, or office work. You can find previous projects from Brad featured on his online website and portfolio www.bradaosborne.com which shows his latest WordPress website projects and his design projects. You can also find more of his work at www.nirvfilmandaudio.com, including his recent photography, videography, and audio production projects. If you want to contact Brad, please reach out to him at brad@creativerepute.com with any requests or questions. He will be more than happy to respond and is very excited to hear from you.

Tina Armstead

Agency Coordinator

Tina Armstead (she/her/they) is a multi-faceted artist with a diverse background and a passion for art in many forms. When it comes to the visual arts, Tina enjoys making creations of many different mediums. Her main interest creatively is string art consisting solely of straight lines that, through the use of geometry, produce curves. Additionally, Tina has a love for design and typography in particular. One of her hobbies is reviewing merch, as she has recently launched a social media account that takes an objective and thoughtful look at different merchandise items and rates them accordingly based on style, creativity, selection, color, and sustainability. With an eye for clean, simple, and elegant art, it makes sense that Tina is drawn to front-end development when it comes to graphic design. Having a background in full-stack MERN applications, her experience in event planning and computer programming, and her appreciation for excellent design allow her to work for clients in a well-rounded and successful manner. Tina began as a self-taught programmer and eventually moved on to formal study at the University of Oregon, her proud home state. She learned new languages and furthered her knowledge of technologies like React, Sequelize, MySQL, MongoDB, Node.js, Express.js, Mongoose ODM, Material-UI, and more. Tina is a professional musician who came to love computer programming as a hobby on her commute to and from work in college. She quickly became fully engaged in learning the ins and outs of what goes into making the technology we all use daily. It became clear to her over time how similar programming is to music. In music, notes are written, then put together to form a phrase. That phrase is then adjoined with other terms to create a final musical piece. In coding, it’s not much different. A line of code comprising separate tags, elements, and attributes is comparable to a phrase that ultimately creates a final task or project. Tina is grateful to have a mind that allows her to immerse herself in computer programming from a creative perspective. Having fulfilled the band leader and follower role on many occasions, Tina has managed to transfer that leadership and be a valuable team member in her programming. She has taken the lead on several projects, many of which she came up with the initial concept of. She dreamt up two projects in particular that she could proudly see from start to finish while leading and collaborating with large and small teams. Grocery List helper is an application allowing users to input items they have or purchased. When the user runs out of an item, they can remove it from the “have” list and into their “shopping” list allowing for easy tracking of what needs to be purchased on the next trip to the grocery store. Additionally, with the click of a button, the user can generate recipe ideas based on what the user already has at home based on their “have” list. Another project Tina built a team to see to fruition is called U-Notes. This application is a video note-taking tool that allows users to create and log into their account, search for and save videos to their dashboard, and most importantly, it will enable them to time stamp customized notes on each video. The user can then easily reference essential parts of any video and jump right to the timestamp without skimming through the entire video. This excellent education tool was brought to life by Tina’s desire for such a tool in her studies. Having graduated from a prestigious contemporary music school, Tina is an accomplished musician with a background in film scoring, music business, and professional music. With a focus on saxophone performance in both jazz and contemporary styles, Tina also composes old-time songs performed on the banjo, which she uses as an essential teaching tool in reminding the public that the roots of bluegrass and old-time music are in Black America. Tina’s musical background is not only one of technical ability. Still, it revolves around the history of American music and how it's connected to race throughout the last several centuries. Tina enjoys making music, participating in escape rooms, and swimming in natural bodies of water.

Michelle Zaragoza

Graphic Designer

Michelle Zaragoza is a passionate graphic designer in the Philadelphia area. Since she was little, she loved dragging her coloring book and sketch pad around everywhere she went. After trying out ballet, gymnastics, violin, and softball, as extracurricular activities, art class caught her attention the most. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2022 with a degree in Graphic Design and has worked as a freelance graphic designer for the past few years. Her experiences include but are not limited to logo design, typography, and brand identity. Michelle helps clients bring their vision to life creatively and practically through her work. Michelle loves assisting clients in understanding their own business better by giving them visible elements of their brand, such as brand colors, logos, and an overall aesthetic. Michelle learns about their business and goals to create the best logos for her clients. She keeps their ideas in mind as she adds her creative flare. She ensures that each logo is a design the company will wear proudly on a hat or print on their business cards. Even when some clients are not sure what they want their business to look like, Michelle offers new ideas to get the process started and motivate her client. Over the recent years, she has had the opportunity to create different digital marketing assets for an array of local businesses. She enjoys working with a variety of clients. From engineering to fashion, from family counseling to landscaping, Michelle has fun adapting to each client. She is always up for a challenge and is not scared to work in a new field. Each client is a unique opportunity to learn something new and a chance to grow as a designer and person. In addition to corporate design, Michelle enjoys creating different illustrations in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Most original pieces are inspired by her everyday life or allude to metaphors. She is a big fan of surrealism and feels inspired by contemporary artists such as Jeremy Geddes and Erik Johansson. Her pieces encompass the chaotic, beautiful, and serenity. Each piece is a part of her mind, each one an invitation to make sense out of them as she once did. Some details do not always have a precise meaning, but perhaps they mean something to the viewer that is just as rewarding to her. Even when most of Michelle’s days designing are spent in front of a screen, she doesn’t mind picking up some charcoal or a brush to do a little drawing and painting every now and then! Michelle has been featured in multiple fine arts and digital art galleries. In college, Her obsession with hyperrealism drew attention to her charcoal still-life pieces. Although Michelle mainly sticks to digital design, her 2D design skills still come in handy when she takes on particular projects such as skateboard or clothing customization. During this time, she also had the privilege to be a part of the Remnant Church’s creative team in Saddle Brook, NJ. This experience showed her the value of a hardworking team and allowed her the opportunity to become a leader. She loves working and learning from others. She finds joy in the creative process from start to finish. Whether sitting in a meeting, brainstorming, or revision time, each step of the journey is memorable and an opportunity for growth for Michelle. With this team, she helped run multiple social media accounts, create content, and edit videos. One of her favorite aspects of working with a team is the chance to share and collaborate on projects with people who are equally as talented and passionate about their goals. Michelle has an appreciation for all forms of art. She has been playing the piano since she was four years old. She has a special place in her heart for animated movies. Popcorn and a good Pixar movie is an ideal night in for Michelle. Besides working on her art, Michelle loves to go out to new places with her friends and family, play a game of catch, join a friendly softball scrimmage, jam out on the piano, or play a game of pool.

Sarah Culbertson

Graphic Designer

Sarah Culbertson (she/her) is a native West Philadelphian creative. Hailing from a household of creatives, she learned to enjoy drawing, painting, sculpture, acting, and singing. Sarah’s affinity for playing dress-up as a child later inspired her interest in acting and fashion. She graduated with a BFA in fashion design with a minor in business from Columbia College Chicago in 2013. She recalls creating her senior clothing collection using her mother’s artwork as prints as a notable moment in her undergraduate career. Print design is something that Sarah has explored more in-depth since graduating from college—playing with Photoshop, CAD, and Illustrator to manipulate existing images or create brand new ones. Since then, she’s worked with several clients to create original works of art in clothing and graphic form. Sarah has an exceptional eye for detail and collaboration. Her creative process involves working with clients, from idea formation to design research to sketching to translating those ideas into graphics and creating the final product. In 2015 she collaborated with her mother again to curate a complete twelve-look collection that she crowdfunded and took to Vancouver Fashion Week. About a year later, she moved to Brooklyn and worked for a design company specializing in selling graphic tees, where she learned how to work with clients through design, sales, and customer service. She maintained current clients and brought new ones to that company, like Forever 21. In 2019 she moved back to West Philly and dedicated her time to creating colorful pieces inspired by the things she witnessed in life and her own experiences. Color has always been a big part of her work, where she expresses her visions visually pleasingly, provoking emotion and thoughtfulness. Sarah believes art is highly emotional and should be used to further oneself and encourage people to think of ways of bettering themselves and the world around them. Sarah exercises her fascination with color while integrating symmetry and line work into a good deal of her artwork. An avid reader and lover of history, she draws inspiration from Mod sixes silhouettes and the grace of classic Greek mythology-inspired sculptures. She loves looking to the past to find inspiration while adding a modern twist to her work. She incorporates this thought process into how she creates work as well. Recently she’s been trying a new watercolor painting technique and then scanning it so she can play with it in photoshop. Transferring the watercolor form to a digital form allows her to expand the design in a way neither medium allows alone. Although art and creativity are Sarah’s primary passions, she has found a love and admiration for organization and data analysis. She has found both to help in professional and personal aspects of her life. Excel has become one of her best friends, and she sees a well-done spreadsheet as a work of art. Viewing data analysis as a puzzle she wants to master, she is incredibly detail oriented and likes to use it to spot trends to use in her work and anticipate what a client needs while working together. Outside of creating things visually, she loves to make delicious things in the kitchen. Falling into the indoor plant and baking craze that many people succumbed to, she finds great joy in caring for the ever-expanding plant collection and perfecting her pizza dough and sauce recipes. But she also finds exploring the city’s culinary and cultural options one of her favorite things when she's not working. She uses social media to see the newest and most delicious food experiences. She’s also recently started playing with gel nail art, finding it a new smaller canvas with which she gets to explore a new art form. So far, she’s only gotten to decorate herself and a few select family members' nails, but she’s enjoying the practice.

Jess Cruz

Graphic Designer

Jess Cruz (she/her) is an accomplished graphic designer who has built her career upon a foundation of passion, creativity, and drive to explore innovative design trends. Residing in the lively South Philly community with her wife, Jess's journey from her artistic start in New Jersey to her current status as a valuable freelance designer has been achieved through determination, skill development, and commitment to her artistic growth. From a young age, Jess identified herself as an artist, always asking for art sets for birthdays and holiday gifts. Long car rides served as an opportunity for her to indulge in her favorite activity: doodling in her trusty sketchbook. As she progressed through school, Jess's dedication to her craft only grew, guiding her to enroll in as many art classes as she could. This devotion to art led her to pursue a degree in Fine Art, a decision that set the stage for her transformation into the accomplished designer she is today. During her college years, Jess's focus shifted towards drawing, painting, and 3D sculpture, alongside a newer interest in ceramics. Her commitment to her craft was further highlighted when she became a teaching assistant for entry-level ceramics courses, an experience that allowed her to share her knowledge and passion with others. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, Jess earned the title of artist-in-residence at her university, a testament to her talent and dedication. Despite obtaining a Masters in Teaching and briefly venturing into elementary education, Jess realized her heart was firmly rooted in the creative realm. Her decision to transition to graphic design marked the beginning of a new chapter in her career. Her first paid job involved creating a menu board for a vegan restaurant—a client she continues to collaborate with to this day. From there, she ventured into crafting social media, web, and email graphics for an online boutique, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile and adept designer. As Jess continued to expand her portfolio, she discovered her true calling in logo design and brand identity. This discovery marked a turning point in her career, igniting a passion that would come to define her artistic trajectory. Her adeptness at capturing the essence of a brand and translating it into compelling visuals became her signature. Her portfolio grew to encompass a diverse array of projects, from brand kits for small businesses to packaging design and menu boards. Each creation showcased her ability to transform abstract concepts into tangible, visually captivating realities. Central to Jess's approach is her commitment to empowering small businesses through distinctive visual identities. Her designs are more than just artistic expressions; they are storytelling tools that breathe life into each brand's mission and values. Jess thrives on collaboration, relishing the opportunity to work closely with clients and guide them through the creative journey. The bumps in the road that often accompany the design process are embraced as opportunities for growth, resulting in designs that resonate on an impactful level. Beyond her design prowess, Jess is a woman of many passions and interests. She enjoys hiking, even if it means strolls through the bustling streets of Philly. A dedicated yogi, Jess seeks balance and mindfulness through her practice. In her downtime, she can often be found watching movie marathons with her wife. As an advocate for a vegan lifestyle, she thrives on experimenting with plant-based recipes. With a thirst for knowledge and a habit of picking up new skills, Jess's latest pursuit is learning how to sew. Jess's passion for learning knows no bounds. Her dedication is evident in her exhaustive consumption of graphic design tutorials on platforms like YouTube, she’s probably seen every graphic design on YouTube! While she considers Adobe Illustrator her creative haven, she ensures her skill set remains well-rounded, navigating Adobe Photoshop for digital collages and Adobe InDesign for document mock-ups. Her recent exploration into motion graphics using After Effects showcases her adaptability and willingness to embrace new challenges head-on. Video editing is yet another skill she is diligently honing, a testament to her dedication to remaining at the forefront of her field. Jess's journey as a freelance designer has cultivated in her a remarkable ability to excel in a remote work environment, where adaptability and self-motivation are a must. Her capacity to thrive amidst dynamic situations underscores her resilience and tenacity. In essence, Jess Cruz is more than a graphic designer—she is a visionary artist, a creative storyteller, and an embodiment of ceaseless growth. From crafting captivating logos and brand kits to indulging in culinary pursuits and mastering new skills, Jess's creative journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of beauty, innovation, and meaningful collaboration.

Irrie Catchings III

Graphic Designer

Irrie, pronounced eye-ree, (he/him/his), was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and grew up in Monticello, a small town in the deep south. He believes that the best way to assist Creative Repute's clients is by using his unique approach to design. Irrie thinks that communication is key, and he starts by learning as much as he can from the clients. Once he identifies the problem, he uses his skill set to reach a solution. He believes that using his skills will help him establish a relationship with the clients to further the company. Irrie thinks that the best way to communicate is to make sure that everyone is in agreement. After that, he begins his creative process, and his approach to design is very traditional. Then again, it is not about traditional vs. nontraditional. It is more about the process. He starts by researching and then moves on to sketches. From there, he works on initial drafts and explorations. Finally, he moves on to working with the team and finalizing the design before sending it to the stakeholder or PM. Irrie believes that design is very simple, but the way they approach it is what makes it unique. He has a BFA and an Associate’s degree in graphic design, with plans to pursue an MFA in either graphic design or human-computer interaction. He also has a minor in advertising. His experience at university was great, as he was involved in multiple clubs and organizations that helped further his career. He was always one to overachieve as much as he could. Before graduating, he started networking in design. He interned with Twitch, created a program with AIGA San Francisco, and met industry professionals whom he still speaks with today. While in school, he made a list of places to go and moved out west. He decided to move in order to further his career and experience the world on his own. Prior to moving, he was recruited to help a long-standing company rebuild its brand. Irrie started working at Chesbro and chose them over other recruits because he had complete creative control. He was able to see his vision throughout his work and work with brands such as Fender, Premier Guitar, Bose, etc. Moving there was a culture shock, mainly because of how different everything was compared to back home. He was the senior graphic designer there and got to create magazine partner ads, event collateral, work with local brands, rebuild their site from scratch, do email campaigns, and much more. He never got the chance to finish the website rebrand for the parent company and its subsidiary, Teton Guitars before leaving. He stayed at Chesbro for a year before going to a new company. By that point, he had been recruited by a software development company called Swiftly Systems. Although they initially recruited him before he graduated, it wasn't the right fit at the time. He started working there the same week he left Chesbro, and his main role was as a UX/UI designer. While there, he worked with many clients including Tylenol, Dollar General, The 99 Cents Store, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, and more. He had the opportunity to create ads, presentations, two-pagers, event collateral, and many others. The time he spent there was very interesting because it was unlike any other role he had in his career. While there, he spoke with project managers and stakeholders the most, which helped him grow his communication skills tenfold. The work was very fast-paced with quick turnarounds. This was great for him because it allowed him to experience firsthand what it was like to be in such a fast environment. He left the company a year later because he felt as if he had learned what he needed to and didn't feel much growth as a designer. After leaving, he was recruited by Atlassian. He started interviewing as a presentation designer and was recruited by the events team. While at Atlassian, he has created and led many events and worked with a lot of people across the globe, including Magic Johnson, Candice Parker, James Cameron, and Will.i.am. He had the opportunity to create social ads, booths, brand collateral, reaction emojis, UX components, and more. Some of the content he worked on has been featured in places such as The Chase Center, Las Vegas, Berlin, London, and more. Talking with stakeholders and PMMs is a must at Atlassian, as it allows him to ensure that everything has been planned accordingly. He has also worked with Figma, Canva, and all things Adobe at Atlassian and other places. The skills he has obtained from his experiences will lend themselves well to his role at Creative Repute. His journey as a graphic designer has been an interesting one, allowing him to grow both professionally and personally. He has a variety of interests outside of design, but it was his passion for art that led him to pursue a career in design. As a child, he was always drawing and designing things, and his father still has all of his drawings from that time. As he got older, his passion for art grew, and he enjoys exploring the different aspects of it. In his free time, he loves to paint and doesn't have a particular medium, but he enjoys combining them. He has a strong interest in oils and acrylics, but he loves all forms of painting, as well as drawing, woodblock prints, ceramics, photography, code, and design. He finds that he is always designing and trying out new things outside of work, and he sees design as a playground for exploration. He started exploring ceramics while at his first college and fell in love with it. He used it as a way to explore form and expression through a physical medium, which he then incorporated into his design work. His professor always urged him to get inspiration from the world around them, rather than going digital-first, and he still keeps that in mind. Overall, he loves all things creative.

Chaz James

Project Manager

Chaz James (he/him) is a multi-talented creative, born and raised in colorful Colorado out in the countryside, on a small farm along with his parents, four sisters, and one younger brother. Being from a large family, the children were all taught valuable life skills at a young age. They learned to be self-driven and to work to earn the things they desired in life. They were taught the importance of teamwork and would work together regularly to accomplish the daily chores. Having an eccentric mother, they created their own currency in the home called Crystal Sparks. They would earn these by completing chores in a timely manner and could use them to shop in mom’s store in the closet; filled with candy and small toys, or they could opt to pay a sibling to do a chore they were least excited about. Growing up in this way taught him many important life skills that he carried with him into adulthood. Back in Chaz James’ early years, he chose education in Graphic Design and Web Development. He enjoyed this because it allowed him to explore his passion for the internet, photography, and graphic design, and offered him an outlet to display and share his passions with the world. The skills he learned in design school have been instrumental in allowing him to work freelance for clients, as well as create all the collateral for his creative business offerings. Over the years he has designed company brand kits, comp cards, business cards, logos, websites, flyers, posters, and product labels for many items that have been brought to market. He enjoys the creative process of taking the seed of an idea and watering and nurturing it along its journey to completion. He began California dreaming at a young age after their first family trip to Disneyland in Anaheim. He would often find himself envisioning the beautiful landscape, ocean, sunshine, and palm trees! This excited him and he knew then that he had to experience living in Southern California. His explorative spirit, romantic heart, and more frugal nature would first bring him to the Arizona desert for 7 years, before finally making the big move out to the West Coast. While in Arizona, he and a friend opened a photography and design studio. He offered portrait photography sessions and editing packages and would freelance on small web and graphic design projects. He has always been passionate about showcasing people in their best light and found this to be the perfect pairing of his skillset at the time. He and his business partner would host regular art shows to expose their work and gain new clientele at the studio. Many of the works were printed on large canvas, or thin sheets of aluminum which added to the luster and allure. This was a fun season for him, but ultimately, he wanted more than the desert could offer. Chaz James’ interests range from his love for technology, art, and design, to holistic health, cooking, and nutrition. He feels most alive knowing that he is making a real difference in the world. Over the years, he has explored wearing many different hats and enjoys the challenge of learning something new that he can later share with others. He has a strong connection to nutrition and natural healing due to his mother's experience with a severe auto-immune disorder that occurred when he was young. Within just six months, he witnessed his mother’s complete remission! This excited him and would later lead him down the path of becoming certified as a Master Nutritionist, Iridologist, Herbalist, and Aromatouch Masseur. He presently supports health clients by offering intakes partnered with bio-feedback technology. Through these mediums and his expertise, he can gain powerful insights about what is going on inside the body. With this, he formulates a customized lifestyle plan to optimally support their body’s healing frequency. Being a major foodie at heart, he gets excited to share flavorful ways of making nutrition fun, and extremely delicious! He hosts regular plant-based educational dining events and local workshops and plans to expand into offering more online cooking workshops as well. All of Chaz James’ creative skills partnered with strong organization, understanding of the field, clear manageable timelines, and being a team player makes him a valuable member of the Creative Repute team.

Bryce Bedford

Account Manager

Bryce Bedford (he/him) is a highly skilled and dynamic professional based in the bustling Washington, DC Metro area, known for his analytical mindset, problem-solving acumen, and collaborative spirit. His journey in the professional world is marked by significant achievements and roles that showcase his expertise and leadership skills, making him a standout in his field. Bryce Bedford's role as an Account Manager at Creative Repute is marked by an ability to foster and maintain strong client relationships, a testament to his strong communication skills. He balances the needs and expectations of clients with the creative vision and capabilities of the agency. Bedford’s collaborative approach ensures seamless integration between client aspirations and the agency's deliverables, resulting in highly successful campaigns and projects. His dedication to client satisfaction and his ability to navigate the complexities of creative projects with poise and professionalism significantly contribute to the growth and reputation of Creative Repute, solidifying his status as a valuable asset to the organization. In his role as a Product Manager at Fringe, Bedford has been instrumental in leading teams and collaborating on shaping product requirements. He holds the critical responsibility of steering the product roadmap and strategy, ensuring that they align with both stakeholder and user goals. This role has allowed him to demonstrate his ability to lead teams of engineers effectively, keeping feature releases on track and in line with the company's strategic vision. Bedford's aptitude for crafting user-friendly stories and documentation has been a key factor in delivering impactful features that have significantly contributed to the company's revenue growth. Additionally, his skill in identifying areas for process optimization and performance enhancement has further solidified his reputation as a leader capable of driving innovation and efficiency. Bedford's professional background is diverse and rich with experience. Prior to his tenure at Fringe, he made a significant impact as a Senior Consultant at Protiviti in Washington, DC. In this role, he specialized in risk and compliance processes, such as Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Know Your Customer (KYC), and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance. His analytical skills were particularly valuable as he worked with extensive datasets, providing insights that informed strategic decisions and led to a reduction in compliance-related incidents. His initiatives to streamline compliance tracking processes not only increased operational efficiency but also enhanced the company's ability to manage and mitigate risk effectively. In New York, as a Management Consultant at West Monroe Partners, Bedford dove into the world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He led due diligence efforts, managed engagements, and was involved in business development. His contributions were significant in identifying millions in potential cost savings for clients. Moreover, his proficiency in keeping project economics in check - tracking budgets, statements of work (SOWs), requests for proposals (RFPs), and client expectations - resulted in substantial internal cost reduction through smarter resource allocation and efficient project execution. These achievements underscore his exceptional ability to manage complex projects and deliver tangible results. Bedford's tenure as a Digital Product Owner at Aon Affinity further highlights his diverse skill set. In this role, he strategically managed partnerships and business units, overseeing a team of engineers and contractors responsible for a proprietary binding and insurance management software. One of his notable achievements at Aon Affinity was the transformation of the payment system, where he collaborated with third-party providers to enhance the user experience for over 500,000 clients through data-driven insights. Working closely with senior leadership, he defined success metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) that were aligned with the organization's goals, ensuring consistent progress and success in his endeavors. Apart from his professional commitments, Bedford is passionate about exploring new places, culinary adventures, and spending quality time with friends and family. His love for travel has taken him to various destinations, enriching his life experiences and broadening his perspective. In the kitchen, he enjoys experimenting with new recipes, bringing the same creativity and precision he applies to his professional life. Most importantly, the time he spends with his loved ones is invaluable to him, as it provides balance and joy in his life. Bedford’s ability to balance a demanding professional life with personal interests and hobbies is a testament to his multifaceted personality. His journey reflects a blend of professional excellence and personal fulfillment, making him a well-rounded individual in both his career and life. Bryce Bedford is more than just a professional driven by innovation; he is a person who wholeheartedly embraces the joys of life. His career is a testament to his ability to lead, innovate, and drive success, while his personal interests showcase his appreciation for the finer things in life. His story is one of success, balance, and continuous growth, making him an inspiring figure in the professional world. He is always keen to connect and share his unique blend of enthusiasm and expertise with others, bringing a refreshing and impactful presence to any team he joins.

Niambi Hawkins

Virtual Assistant

Niambi Hawkins, (pronounced Knee-Ahm-Bee) (she/her), is an exceptionally talented visual artist and illustrator who earned her degree in Sequential Art. Born and raised in the culturally rich Bay Area with strong family ties on the East Coast of the United States, Niambi's upbringing has afforded her a unique lens through which she views and interprets the world. This diverse background is evident in her work, which often explores a myriad of different experiences and cultural narratives. In her role as Creative Repute's Virtual Assistant, Niambi Hawkins not only showcases her artistic talents and passion for diversity and inclusion but also excels in developing engaging training materials, utilizing her exceptional writing skills for clear and effective communication, and efficiently coordinating with team members to ensure smooth and productive workflows. From a very young age, Niambi displayed an innate passion for drawing and storytelling. Her earliest memories include her gripping a pencil, fervently sketching characters and scenes that danced in her imagination. As a young black girl in an African-American family, Niambi was nurtured in an environment where the significance of representation was constantly emphasized. Her mother, a strong advocate for diversity, encouraged Niambi to challenge conventional norms in art. She inspired her to create art that mirrors the beauty and diversity of her own family and community. This encouragement was the seed that blossomed into Niambi's unwavering commitment to representation in her art. Niambi's resolve is best described as, “If no one else will do it, I will.” Observing a glaring lack of representation in the media she consumed, she set out to fill this void. She began crafting imaginative worlds that reflected the images and stories she yearned to see. Her dedication to this cause was evident throughout her school years. She actively participated in various artistic projects and was a prominent member of her high school's AP Art program and Art Club. These experiences were pivotal in her artistic journey, highlighting the importance of a supportive creative community. Niambi's pursuit of art led her to Spelman College, where she initially majored in Art. Seeking a more focused artistic curriculum, she transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). It was at SCAD that Niambi's artistic vision truly began to take shape. Specializing in Sequential Art, she honed her skills in comic writing and drawing, graphic design, project and time management, editing, and publishing. Her academic excellence was consistently recognized, landing her on the Dean’s List every year. Upon graduation, Niambi embarked on an ambitious project, launching her own comic titled "Moonlight Star" on the popular webcomics site Webtoon. The comic, a vibrant tapestry of her imaginative prowess, was featured multiple times on Webtoon’s homepage. Niambi's artistic journey also includes freelance projects for friends and family, ranging from eye-catching flyers to intricate prints. Beyond her artistic endeavors, Niambi is deeply committed to initiatives centered around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), as well as human resources. This interest was sparked during an internship with NASA's Human Resources Department, which dovetailed with her various customer service roles. These experiences unveiled her innate talent for problem-solving and collaboration, steering her toward a career in human resources. Her journey led her to Creative Repute, where she found a synergy between her personal goals and the organization's mission. At Creative Repute, Niambi utilizes her diverse skill set to further their objectives, contributing significantly to their endeavors. Whether it's creating captivating art or championing DEI initiatives, Niambi approaches every task with unmatched passion and commitment. Niambi's passion extends beyond her professional life. In her leisure time, she indulges in drawing, writing, reading, and playing video games. She finds solace and joy in these activities, which also serve as a source of inspiration for her artistic work. Additionally, she cherishes moments spent with her beloved cat, finding comfort in the quiet companionship. Niambi Hawkins is not just an artist; she is a visionary and a changemaker. Her commitment to representation, storytelling, and diversity makes her an invaluable asset in any endeavor she undertakes. With a bright future ahead, Niambi is set to leave an indelible mark in the world of art and beyond. Her unique blend of creativity, perspective, and dedication ensures that she will continue to inspire and innovate in both her professional and personal life.

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Tara Rose O'Connor

Graphic Designer

Tara Rose O’Connor (she/her) is a graphic designer whose work has creative flair with a playful spirit. Tara's venture into graphic design traces a path of passion, dedication, and curiosity. From her early days as the "Tech Ed kid" and the "Art kid" in high school to her current role as a visionary designer at Creative Repute, Tara's design path shows determination and artistic innovation. Tara's journey into graphic design began in high school, where she discovered her identity as a tech enthusiast and an artistic expert. She embarked on a transformative path, fueled by the encouragement of her design mentor. These pivotal moments led to her affiliation with the Technology Student Association (TSA), kickstarting her growth in the world of graphic design. Within TSA's canvas, she engaged in a series of design events, consistently leaving an impact. Over three TSA years, Tara's steadfast dedication resulted in over ten top-three accolades, including second place for her "Children's Story Design" submission at the National Conference. Tara's commitment to her education led her to graduate Magna Cum Laude from Thomas Jefferson University in May 2023, with a degree in Graphic Design Communications. She emerged not only with a top-tier education but also with a deep comprehension of design's nuances and its potential for communication and captivation. Throughout her academic journey, she fully immersed herself in diverse design disciplines, ranging from logo design and typography to editorial work, photography, and brand identity. Tara's approach to design goes beyond the technical aspects; she genuinely enjoys getting to know her clients as individuals, ensuring that their brand reflects their personality and values. With a knack for adding personal touches to branding, such as incorporating favorite colors, unique marks, and an overall aesthetic, Tara aims to create successful brand identities that resonate with both the client and their target audience. She strikes a balance between her own creative vision and the client's objectives, always emphasizing the importance of fun in the design process. Tara's decision-making is guided by experimentation and reason, resulting in brand identities that companies are excited to showcase. When faced with clients who are still in the process of defining their brand's visual identity, Tara conducts extensive research on competitors and explores timeless design trends. This thorough approach ensures that her clients' businesses stand out and make a lasting impression. One of Tara's notable projects involved creating a brand identity for a mobile beer tap company, sparking her passion for working with food and beverage companies. She thrives on challenges and is always open to expanding her skill set, willing to figure out how to achieve any design task. In addition to brand design, Tara has a profound interest in editorial design. By combining her photography and design talents, she creates visually stunning outcomes. One of her recent editorial projects, "Reveal," emerged from her Publication Class at Thomas Jefferson University. In this publication, Tara showcases hidden gems from her travels, focusing on lesser-known places of exceptional quality, beauty, or value. The project features original photography, adding a special touch to the publication. Photography serves as a creative outlet for Tara, allowing her to step away from the computer and immerse herself in the world around her. She cherishes the unique mindset that comes with capturing moments through a camera, as opposed to a phone. Tara aims to take pictures that provoke thought and contemplation, often delving into the realm of photojournalism. She finds joy in learning from others and hearing their stories. Unapologetically outspoken, Tara always stands up for her beliefs while prioritizing the client's needs in her work at Creative Repute. She actively participates in critiques and supports her fellow designers and colleagues, embracing each step of the creative journey as an opportunity for growth. Aside from her design pursuits, Tara finds joy in simple pleasures like touching grass, playing with dogs, spending time with friends, and exploring the world. She considers herself a movie and TV buff, with "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once" and Wes Anderson movies ranking among her favorites. Tara's top TV show is "Ted Lasso." Her adventurous spirit, talkative nature, and unwavering pride shape her approach to both life and work, and she looks forward to collaborating with you.

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