OneRhythm reflects a belief about how good marketing actually works. Planning, creating, and executing membership campaigns is a lot like a great band: different instruments, each with its own voice, coming together to make something greater. The tighter the integration, the better the sound.
We share a passion for cultural organizations. We're serious about our clients, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. Our team genuinely enjoys working together, and we think that comes through in the work.
I have traveled a wide and varied path over the past 30+ years, holding various sales, marketing, business development, and account management positions at Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and Internet startups spanning industries such as technology, media and publishing, real estate, asset valuation and liquidation, printing, mailing, and direct response marketing.
Aside from Business Development at USATODAY.com back when newspapers were still king (!), I’ve also done it for two Internet startups, worked in real estate, and run a family owned printing and mailing company for 10 years. I earned a BA from Georgetown University and an MBA from the University of San Francisco.
And for the last 14 years, I’ve focused on helping Nonprofits plan and execute successful marketing programs. I founded OneRhythm because the work allows me to leverage my business and technology experience to bring data-driven, closed loop marketing programs to Nonprofit organizations not typically wired to think in those terms. And along the way, I get to work with inspiring people and free them up to achieve their missions. It’s a win-win!
Likes
Audience segmentation, A/B testing, data visualization, closed-loop reporting, marketing and sales alignment, Taylor guitars, SF Giants, farmers markets and local foods.
Dislikes
Bad data, missing calls to action, mobile unfriendly design, spray and pray campaigns, LA Dodgers, and sea urchin (even if it’s local).
Outside of work
It’s all about family and friends, coaching, cooking, playing guitar and drums, reading extensively and never missing Opening Day.
Museums don’t struggle because they lack creativity. Often, the bigger challenge is getting strategy, messaging, design, and experience working toward the same goal within real-world timelines, budgets, and constraints.
That’s where I focus my energy.
As Chief Strategy & Creative Officer at OneRhythm, I work across strategy, creative, process, and technology to help museums and cultural organizations turn good ideas into meaningful results. I’m particularly interested in the space where thoughtful strategy meets great design, where complex problems become simple experiences, and where the right balance of big-picture thinking and attention to detail makes all the difference.
I believe great creative should do more than get attention. It should create clarity, make decisions easier, and inspire people to act. The best results come when every part of the experience works together.
Likes
Exploring nature and new places, creating art and fixing things, beautiful and well-made things, cooking and good food from around the world (and tacos), new experiences and adventures, laughing and joking around, and being alive.
Dislikes
Rushed work, broken user experiences, decisions made without context, and cancer.
Outside of work
Usually off on an adventure with my wife and daughters.
Bonus fact
Ricardo is my cousin. Anyone who’s worked with family knows that isn’t always an advantage, but for me, it is. My respect for him is something he’s earned many times over, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve all built together.
I started working with startups and small organizations before I even understood how it works. This gave me the opportunity to be involved in multiple projects with different stakeholders. Also, it allowed me to familiarize myself with different functional areas such as: project management, admission, sales, marketing, fundraising, learning and development and HR.
My brain automatically chooses to organize items in its own particular order. I enjoy problem solving and researching, so operations were prevalent during every step in my career. Building processes is like playing Lego, you build items on top of one another to begin imagining the bigger picture, replacing items that don’t fit the mold along the journey.
After working with multiple organizations in Europe and Africa I realized that working with a passionate and impact driven team is what makes your time worthwhile. I am glad that I can contribute to the mission of OneRhythm and be part of an inspiring, agile and up to date team.
Likes
Process automation, problem solving, completing tasks on to-do lists, learning new things about AI and ML.
Dislikes
Cloudy weather, small talks, unorganized folders, people wasting their potential.
Outside of work
Enjoy traveling and discovering new cultures, reading about history and trying new (weird or not) meals.
Blair Kaye-Wallach
Director of Client Success
The Dot Connector
I have decades of experience in non-profit direct response marketing, with a specialization in cultural organizations and membership programs. I especially love working with museums, zoos, gardens, and the like because you serve as welcoming community spaces that educate and inspire in creative ways. I’m continually energized by the passionate, kind, and collaborative people behind these institutions, and by the opportunity to help your missions thrive.
As your Director of Client Success, my goal is to become a true extension of your membership and development team. I want to proactively provide solutions to the issues keeping you up at night and build campaigns that strengthen relationships with your members and donors, all while driving sustainable impact.
Likes
Animals, pop culture trivia, travel, arts & crafts, the Olympics, breaking down silos, statistically significant results, asking lots of questions, crossing things off a to-do list, and meeting deadlines.
Dislikes
Lack of context, arrogance, unnecessary chaos, paper cuts, sitting in traffic, gory movies, shellfish.
Outside of work
I can usually be found walking my dog around my neighborhood, watching the latest movies or TV with my husband, doing outdoor yoga on a sunny LA day, sending memes to friends, or solving the latest Wordle.
Liz Harris
Project Manager
Head of Herding Deadlines
With a background in sociology and marketing experience spanning digital to project management, I bring a thoughtful, human-centered approach to keeping projects on track. Having managed membership and marketing projects at a science museum, I’ve also been on the client side, so I know how much it matters to feel heard, stay in the loop, and trust that the details are in good hands.
At OneRhythm, I guide multichannel campaigns for cultural institutions from kickoff to launch. I build timelines, keep reviews moving, herd deadlines, and make sure everything gets where it needs to go. I love turning scattered details into clear action plans and building the systems that keep everything running smoothly, giving our creative team room to do their best work and our clients one less thing to worry about.
Likes
Cold brew, fiber arts, satisfying checklists, clean folder structures, and really good food (we have a lot here in PDX).
Dislikes
Scope creep, mystery filenames, missed deadlines, and celery.
Outside of work
You'll usually find me cozied up with a knitting project, getting lost in a sci-fi or fantasy novel, or spending time with my incredible friends (see Annika for an example).
Mark Meyer
Director of Production
Keeper of the Mail Dates
As a proud Midwesterner with a diverse background in print production and direct marketing, I’ve spent much of my career turning ideas into finished projects. I got my start on the production floor as a press operator, where I learned the importance of quality, attention to detail, and understanding how things actually get made. Since then, I’ve worked my way through various roles in print production, purchasing, project management, and direct marketing, gaining an appreciation for both the creative and technical sides of the business.
At OneRhythm, I oversee production for our direct mail campaigns, working closely with our team and production partners to bring creative ideas to life while keeping budgets, quality, and timelines in check. I enjoy finding smarter ways to do things, solving problems, and helping develop practical solutions to complicated challenges. To me, good production is about more than getting something printed and mailed. It’s about making the entire process work better and helping our clients get the most out of their campaigns.
Likes
Good communication, problem-solving, finding efficiencies, creative ideas that work in the real world, and a production schedule that actually stays on schedule.
Dislikes
Unnecessary complications, poor communication, avoidable mistakes, inefficient processes, and problems that could have been prevented with a little planning.
Outside of work
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Courtney, and our two daughters, Emma and Madilyn. We love getting outdoors, exploring new places, and finding fun things to do as a family. I also enjoy staying active, tackling DIY projects, and finding new hobbies and challenges to keep myself busy. There’s usually something I’m working on, fixing, or trying to figure out.
David Jorgensen
Chief Data & Analytics Officer
The Data Whisperer
I am a person who finds as much peace studying data as I find in studying nature, as both transform what can appear chaotic into something of clarity and beauty. A unique blend of right & left-brained qualities not only define how I see the world but helps me overcome life’s challenges. Note, that did not say “life’s problems”, as I believe challenges are nothing more than opportunities laid before us to make changes to improve or optimize results.
While my career officially began in the 90’s, I’ve been a philanthropist my whole life. What started as participation in school fundraisers, led to door-to-door sales to help pay for college, before landing my first career job helping launch a membership program for a nonprofit. While each experience was unique, they all taught me the importance of connecting with the donor and bringing together the right audience with the right offer to optimize results. And because I have found that so personally rewarding, I’ve made a career out of helping non-profits to do just that.
Likes
Optimization, collaboration, spreadsheets, Speed Racer, movie quotes, riddles, puns, dad jokes, animals & raspberries.
Dislikes
Queues – especially dual drive-throughs, grizzle, poison ivy, rude people & flavored coffee.
Outside of work
I enjoy fishing, hiking, golfing, watching sports, visiting family, hanging with friends & engaging with my pets.
Brian Spangler
Senior Campaign Analytics Manager
Senior Spellcaster of Segmentation
I believe that having accurate and relevant data is the key to running an effective campaign. Messy data can undermine even the most carefully crafted strategic plans. With over a decade of experience in direct mail, I know exactly what it takes to ensure that the data used is of the highest quality and will lead to measurable results.
I am excited to be able to contribute my skills to OneRhythm’s mission to support nonprofits. I truly believe in the impact of direct mail and I am glad to be able to use my expertise to help cultural organizations connect with their audiences in a meaningful way. I am thrilled to be working with a team that shares my passion for making a difference.
Likes
Cats, Washington Commanders, running, video games, card and board games, sci-fi and fantasy novels, comics, going to the movies.
Dislikes
Messy data, pickles, scary movies, heights, cold weather.
Outside of work
You can mostly find me at home with my wife, our two cats, and our dog, playing a video or board game or reading a novel.
The first time I did serious data analysis was when I was working on my Master thesis in Biology. I was lucky to be a part of a very interesting Biology/Machine Learning project and I fell in love with Data and Technology. After getting my degree, I stopped thinking about what to do as a Biologist and started following my new passion.
That led me to my previous job as a Performance Data Analyst in the Ad Ops team at one of the biggest iGaming Marketing companies in the world. In the time that I worked there I learned a ton about marketing, data analytics, various technologies and what it means to work with small teams as well as big corporations.
The next step was this one, which could be characterized as starting my dream job. The mission of OneRhythm is amazing, it’s very fulfilling helping non-profits reach their potential and the projects I am working on (implementing new technologies, making reports more creative, developing pipelines and SOPs) are something a Data guy can only wish for.
Likes
Process automation, technology, podcasts and articles, video games.
Dislikes
Social media, artificial intelligence that will replace us all.
Outside of work
I like to develop video games and hope to have a hit that will make me a millionaire! (In USD, I’m already a millionaire in Serbian Dinar, which is not as impressive!).
Susan Reid
Lead Copywriter
Copy OverlordⓇ
Words have always been my medium. I love them. And I love finding just the right ones.
I’ve been in marketing for a few decades now. I’ve built my career in advertising and PR agencies and in-house marketing departments on both coasts. These jobs gave me a strong foundation in working with clients and on creative teams.
But I’m always happiest when copywriting. I left the corporate world in 2002 and launched Mighty Pen Writing & Editing. As a freelancer, I’ve had the privilege of working with clients from startup entrepreneurs to healthcare foundations to global brands. In fact, I got introduced to Ricardo through a San Francisco branding agency client.
I started writing for OneRhythm in February 2020. Three years, a pandemic, and some incredible campaign successes later, Ricardo and Eric asked me to come on board. I’m thrilled to be part of this talented, dynamic team.
Likes
Strategy driving creative collaboration, style guides, the word “you,” action verbs, subheads, mastering new technologies, 4 seasons, and football.
Dislikes
Passive voice, using 16 words to say what could be said in 5, putting commas and periods outside the quotation marks, pettiness, raw tomatoes (even though I live in “Sacratomato”).
Outside of work
You’ll find me at home with my husband and three kitties, at a Sonoma County Beach or the Russian River (likely in a kayak), playing competitive word games, cheering on Boston (and SF) teams, or being of service.
Valya Vdovenko
Creative Director
Keeper of the Frame
I think the part of being a designer I love the most is problem solving — finding solutions, overcoming limitations and working through technical difficulties is exciting.
Design constraints and limitations can often help to produce superior results as a consequence of problem solving. That’s one of the reasons why I’m good at designing and coding emails specifically — they have tons of limitations. Thank you, Outlook! I’m also a typography nerd and love all the finer details and nuances of it. My severe fear of blank canvases leads to my work always having well-defined structure, grids and alignment.
I spent a large part of my design career working for the Apple marketing team, where I was responsible for key product launch campaigns and reseller design support. My previous agency and web design experience has given me a high level of understanding of all parts of design. I’m happy to have found my new home here at OneRhythm where my design skills (both print and digital) can be applied to all of the amazing organizations we work with every day…
Likes
Good planning, beautiful typography, perfectly constructed grids, reading about science-related topics, movies, wine (and since I’m a designer, wine labels).
Dislikes
Lack of critical thinking, eggplant, title case.
Outside of work
The design process never stops for me really, as I constantly think about the projects both future and ongoing even when I’m out for a walk. I also like sports and exploring my new home in Europe.
Lera Balashova
Designer
Lethal Design Machine
With over 15 years of experience, I specialize in transforming complex data into visually intelligent, story-driven design. My focus is on infographics, editorial layouts, and information-heavy projects that need clarity without losing character. I’ve worked across sectors like healthcare, education, publishing, and tech—where precision matters and aesthetics can’t be an afterthought. I believe even the most serious content deserves a touch of elegance (and the occasional visual wink).
Marija Papovic
Business Operation Coordinator
Herder of Cats, Wearer of Hats
Unlike most people who choose a single career path, I’m a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. My interests span from law and finance to business strategy and even human resources. Add to that my background as a professional athlete, mathematician, and an overall nerd and you get why life has equipped me with a versatile skillset that allows me to excel in high-pressure environments and approach problems from multiple perspectives.
My experience working with ambassadors, governments, and global companies has reinforced my desire to make a positive impact. Joining OneRhythm aligns perfectly with this goal, as we work daily to create a better world.
Likes
Math, finding elegant solutions to complex problems, exploring new technologies, networking, psychology, sarcasm, good wine, good food and people with great sense of humor.
Dislikes
Meetings that can be emails, slow walkers, bad drivers and dull knives.
Outside of work
I enjoy hosting parties and entertaining, kick-boxing, swimming, cooking and spending as much time as possible with friends, family and my adorable dog Disney.
Stephen Eller
Lead Systems & Data Engineer
Digital Frontier Genius
Software Developer since the mid-90s, with experience spanning large corporations, scrappy startups, and everything in between. I focus on building scalable, reliable software that solves real problems, ideally without the 3 a.m. support calls.
Likes
I enjoy sports, especially NC State basketball and football, Carolina Hurricanes hockey, etc. In my free time, I like gardening and working in my yard. I also love cooking outdoors especially on the smoker, grill, or griddle.
Dislikes
Overly complicated code, cloud costs that sneak up on you, weeds and bugs in both the yard and the codebase, and when my team blows a double-digit lead.
Outside of work
I enjoy spending time with my family, especially cheering on my favorite teams, getting my hands dirty in the yard, or perfecting the art of barbecue. I’m also a proud dad to a daughter who’s a senior in college, and I’m excited to see where her next chapter takes her. My two German Shorthaired Pointers, Otis and Molly, keep me on my toes and make sure I never miss a walk – or a squirrel.
Sherene Kelly
Senior Growth Strategy Advisor
For more than two decades, I’ve helped nonprofits and cultural organizations navigate growth, data, and evolving technologies so they can deepen engagement and amplify their impact.
As Senior Growth Strategy Advisor, I specialize in our clients’ membership growth, connection strategy, direct mail marketing, business analytics, and targeted audience marketing to bring measurable results. My approach is simple: fuse data-driven insights - with AI driven tools and revenue models - with authentic, human-centered connection.
My superpower
Connecting the dots to bridge the gap between complex data/technology to real human engagement.
Outside of work
I love exploring museums, parks, artists, and live music that make my Bay Area community so vibrant. You can also find me on a yoga mat or spending quality time with my family and our dogs.
Quote
“I’ve been pressing my face against aquarium glass and ancient history since I was little - some things never change.”
Brock Paston
Email Manager
The Inbox Alchemist
I have been working in the non-profit sector for many years now, and a background in Information Systems I am always trying to look for new ways to push the bar for digital, and more so for email. Anyone can send an email, but getting your email opened, clicked, and followed through is where I am more focused. The question becomes why did the person not convert when we sent the email? Let’s find out together, and change that. At OneRhythm my focus is pushing your emails to the next level for your renewal and membership programs. We will explore all avenues possible to convert ticketbuyers into yearly members, and convert visitors into ticketbuyers. Creating some new avenues along the way.
Likes
Emails, clean data, trying something new and creative, thoroughly exploring ideas and the world, strategized sends
Dislikes
Rushed ideas, bad data, bad emails, terrible results, spray and blast email sends, Blackhawks losing
Outside of work
When I am not focused on email you can usually find me using blender for 3D modeling to print something on my 3D printer or tinkering with old tech. Possibly traveling somewhere new.
Robin Everett
Creative Design
I am an independent design director creating high-quality brand identity, marketing, and editorial for over 20 years, including many recent projects for institutions such as Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Exploratorium, and UCSF. My branding experiences include both creating visual identity guides (as an independent and in the past as a design director at Addison) and designing communications using clients’ existing identity guides to their best advantage. My creative process balances information with intuition, intellect with creativity. The design created is uniquely appropriate for and reflective of the client. In my work, I strive to deliver quality design with attention to detail. And to use layout to reinforce key messages — both written, and the story aesthetics tell.
Nick Ingrisani
Copywriter
I’m an independent direct-response copywriter and marketing strategist focused on helping brands, businesses, and visionaries find their voice and grow to new heights. My writing work has run the gamut from floor-to-ceiling branding for an animal wound care product line to a high school elective course on blockchain technology. I view copywriting as a woven tapestry of marketing principles, human psychology, and creative storytelling—all with the intention of connecting people with the ideas and products that inspire them to act. Beyond writing, I enjoy making music, studying mindfulness, and being outside on adventures in nature.
Bethany Stringer
Copywriter
I’m a direct-response copywriter and marketer who lives for the challenge of wrangling words into just the right places to maximize their impact. The wonderful complexities (and at times, insanity!) of English fascinate me. My passion is connecting visionary businesses to their audiences through authentic, strategic, story-driven marketing. Recent projects with The Met, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the California Academy of Sciences reflect my commitment to collaborating with organizations that make a meaningful impact in the world. My clients have ranged from non-profit women’s shelters and environmentally conscious luxury brands to service industries and beyond. When I’m not working, I love exploring nature trails with my dogs, whipping up tasty treats in the kitchen, horseback riding, gardening, and kayak fishing.
Siri Lee Lindskrog
Designer
The Formsmith
I work across design and visual communication, shaping how ideas are structured, articulated, and experienced.
My background is rooted in arts and culture, with a sustained focus on layered content and a strong attention to quality and detail. In my work, I focus on building clarity, establishing direction, refining what’s there, and ensuring that decisions connect both visually and conceptually.
At OneRhythm, I contribute to shaping communication that is cohesive and considered, supporting work that helps cultural organizations connect with audiences in a way that feels both structured and genuine.
Likes
Clear ideas, strong structure, good form, cultural nuance, being surprised by a process that leads somewhere better than planned, Korean food
Gallery hopping, reading groups, running just enough to justify my coffee and a croissant
Annika Pelkey
Digital Marketer
With a rich background working with educational, cultural, and nonprofit institutions, museums are my bread and butter. From my first love, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, to weekend adventures exploring Portland, Oregon’s wealth of one-of-a-kind museums, I’ve always been in awe of these gathering spaces for shared learning and discovery.
I’ve driven digital strategies for impactful organizations both big and small, helping them achieve significant growth across the board. But there’s nothing quite like helping families and friends discover the wonder held within our clients’ halls.
As a psychology nerd, digital marketing brings together my love of data and my love of humanity. Both data-informed and mission-driven, I’m deeply invested in understanding the “why” behind every project I take on, whether that means putting myself in our audience’s shoes or following the data to uncover insights that drive strategic decisions.
Outside of work
I channel my passions into making art, connecting with nature, and spending time with my incredible friends (see Liz Harris for an example). Some of my biggest work “aha” moments have come while sitting on the forest floor picking mushrooms or standing on my paddleboard in the middle of a river.
Distributed by design
Different time zones, shared impact.
Being a remote agency brings diverse perspectives, knowledge, and culture into every campaign. While we work across multiple continents and time zones, client collaboration remains completely seamless: our workflows stay in sync, communication stays clear, and the rhythm never skips a beat.
Our network
Beyond our core team, we work with a trusted network of experienced partners, so every campaign gets exactly the expertise it needs.
