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Root HQ
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Stephanie Steelman
Co-founder and Director of Business
Co-Founder at Root, Stephanie oversees business operations where she promotes a healthy work life balance across our agency. With over 10 years experience in marketing and public relations for brands all across the globe and industry wide, she has helped establish marketing standards and goals for our agency and continues to play a large role in our clients' overall marketing strategies.
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Sam Justice
Co-founder and Creative Director
Co-owner and Creative Director at Root, Sam is passionate about bringing visions to life. With 10 years of creative experience, specifically in the wedding industry, he has helped tackle the logistics in running our agency through his pragmatic approach. Sam’s mission is simple: deliver results to give brands the opportunity to stand out amongst a crowded field by telling their story.
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Joel Mariano
Lead Content Producer
Joel is the Lead Content Producer at Root, helping brands stick out and share their authentic stories. Through his career, he’s worked and continues to work with brands like Daughters of Simone, Talley Vineyards, Harris Family Enterprises, and many others. Having spent a few years in the creative industry, Joel strives to make his ceiling our floor, for both our clients and team.
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Alexis Cuevas
Senior Account Manager
Introducing Alexis, Root’s Senior Account Manager! With an extensive background in Integrated Marketing, she has built impressive partnerships with various clients, from local businesses to industry giants like Walmart. Alexis excels in marketing communications, empowering her clients to achieve their goals and unlock their full potential. But that’s not all—she’s also on an exciting journey pursuing her MBA from Colorado State University, where she sits on their MBA Advisory Council. Her curiosity to explore new avenues, whether professional or academic, makes her a driving force for success.
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Sarah Gonzalez
Account Manager
Sarah is an Account Manager at Root, acknowledged for her remarkable organizational skills and her passion for marketing strategy. With her extensive experience across various industries, she offers a unique perspective, ensuring that your story is brought to life in a way that drives success. Sarah is motivated and always ready to take on new challenges.
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Leila Camua
Project Manager
Leila is a strategic, detail-oriented team player who ensures the seamless execution of all client and agency projects. With extensive marketing and project management experience from dynamic start-up environments and multinational corporations like L’Oreal, she excels in end-to-end campaign management. Leila's passion and relentless drive push her to advocate for our clients, consistently aiming to exceed their expectations. Her commitment to excellence and high standards ensures that our outputs are not just satisfactory but exceptional – fostering strong, long-lasting client relationships.
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Daniel Borgatto
Graphic Designer
As a graphic designer, Daniel brings a wealth of experience spanning over 15 years in advertising, art direction, and design, with particular expertise in branding. With a degree in Advertising and Publicity Creation, a specialization in Arts and Graphic Design, and an MBA in Marketing Management (FGV), he has been able to understand how organizations, channels, and people behave to combine these parts intelligently to think and design new experiences. Daniel has developed successful solutions for several multinational corporations as well as collaborating with hundreds of agencies, startups, and partners worldwide.
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Ricardo Dorame
Content Producer
Meet Ricky, a content producer at Root Creative Marketing, with a passion for storytelling and video production.
Outside of content creation, Ricky enjoys cooking, particularly crafting homemade pizzas and pasta dishes. Whether crafting compelling narratives for clients or experimenting with new pasta recipes, his commitment to creativity knows no bounds.
With a hometown pride for the San Joaquin Valley and a knack for turning ordinary moments into extraordinary content, Ricky is a content producer who brings a touch of authenticity and flavor to the world of marketing.
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Josh Troy
Visual Designer
Meet Josh - the creative powerhouse with a passion for tackling diverse challenges and coming up with unique ideas that never fail to impress. Always up-to-date with the latest trends and armed with a keen eye for design that moves people emotionally, Josh is a team player who brings an infectious energy to every project. Music has been a constant in his life since he was a kid, and he's a streetwear fashionisto who also happens to be a connoisseur of the perfect cup of coffee.
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Katherine Rivas
UX/UI Designer
Katherine is a UX/UI designer with over 6 years of experience who brings a creative, user-centered approach to every project. She has worked across diverse industries, including e-commerce, finance, and website design, crafting visually stunning interfaces that resonate with users. Katherine dives deep to understand client and customer needs, bringing unique design ideas to life and ensuring every interaction feels intuitive and engaging.
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Taylor Burgess
Content Producer
Meet Taylor, content producer at Root and a creative visionary in video and marketing. With a sharp eye for storytelling and a knack for delivering fresh, standout visuals, Taylor’s background in the music industry has taken him coast to coast—capturing iconic moments on tour, crafting social media content, and contributing to multiple Grammy-nominated albums. His dynamic approach translates directly into helping clients tell their stories in unforgettable ways, blending artistry and strategy to elevate brands. When he's not behind the camera or brainstorming the next big idea, Taylor’s hanging out with his girlfriend and friends, hitting the gym, or catching the game.
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Lauren Walters
Managing Editor, Lifestyle Magazine
Meet Lauren - the Managing Editor for Lifestyle Magazine and a marketing professional with a background in hospitality, event planning, and social media management. She loves creating engaging content that not only highlights the beauty and culture of our community but also connects everyone on a deeper level. Her dedication to celebrating local culture, combined with her love of story-telling, positions her as a driving force in any creative project.
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Sara Johantgen
Office Administrator
Sara is a highly experienced and well-rounded professional with over 20 years of experience in the Federal government sector. Her roles have included procurement, operations, and administration. Sara has a Bachelor's degree in Business Studies with a focus on operations and project management from Southern New Hampshire University. Her extensive experience, technical aptitude, and personal touch make her a valuable asset to the Root team.
Visalia - COMING SOON
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