Impacting Audiences through Design

Riley’s conceptual and visually-harmonious work is rooted in her fine arts and art history backgrounds, which fuel her talent for creating brand stories with impact and complement the exceptional organization and project management skills that make her a natural manager. With a professional background that includes complex production, multimedia and motion-based design projects, she is passionate about achieving inclusivity and accessibility through design, and garners consistent praise for her vision and creativity.

Riley holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Drake University.

Collecting Inspiration as a Cultural Omnivore

A lifelong library-goer and dedicated CD-borrower, Riley is continuously on the lookout for what to read, watch and listen to next. Her love of learning new things informs her artistic practice, which is rooted in illustration, printmaking and traditional craft. She believes learning and art are for everyone, and loves engaging equally with the “high culture” of postmodern fiction and Italian Renaissance art and the “low culture” of punk music and B-grade horror movies. 

Advancing Client Goals

David’s strong communication skills and attention to projects benefit our team and clients alike. His sharp analytical lens and lifelong passion for language enable him to identify and expediently address complex issues and needs that arise at a moment’s notice. In his previous work as an event planner, he honed his attention to detail and ability to manage multiple large projects simultaneously, capabilities that serve our clients on a daily basis. In addition to event management, David also has experience in social media content development and nonprofit communications.

David holds a BA in Advertising and Public Relations from Loyola University Chicago.

Putting Down Chicago Roots

Born and raised in New Orleans, David is an avid traveler who has visited 32 states thus far in his quest to see all 50. When he’s not on the road, he seeks out live music, visits the variety of coffee shops in his neighborhood in search of the city’s best vanilla latte, and bonds with friends by cooking, binge-watching Survivor and putting his pop culture knowledge to the test during trivia nights.

Telling Impactful Stories

Michelle uses her extensive listening and writing skills to help nonprofit changemakers translate the complexities of their work into powerful stories. With more than 15 years of professional experience, her storytelling also amplifies the work of our corporate clients. Prior to Blue Daring, Michelle spent nine years at The Chicago Community Trust, where she drove organization-wide strategic planning efforts. She also has taught writing at the City Colleges of Chicago.

Michelle holds a BA in English and International Studies from Loyola University Chicago and an MA in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University.

Savoring Life Outside of Work

Michelle loves spending time with her family, laughing and learning with her two young daughters, and snuggling with Skye, her Pitbull/Husky mix. She’s a frequent visitor to her neighborhood’s library, lakefront and delicious bakeries; when not out and about, she’s likely engaged in one of her favorite pastimes—crocheting, swimming, reading or disappearing down endless online rabbit holes to learn more Chicago history.

Using Imagination as a Tool

Shijing is a multidisciplinary designer whose creations breathe life into branding, packaging and publications. Using both physical and digital mediums, she blends the art of design with the power of language. Her mission is to develop materials and experiences that inform and inspire our clients’ audiences and customers.

Shijing holds a BFA in Communications Design from Syracuse University and an MFA in Visual Communication Design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Expressing Creativity in Myriad Ways

Shijing spends time writing “nonsense poetry,” videorecording life moments that she shares on her social media platforms and making artist books in interactive physical forms. A fan of games, she’s created and self-published two online digital games and also is developing a boardgame. When she’s not focused on her creations, she is traveling, spending time with friends and taking her dogs Taco and Luna out for fresh adventures and new discoveries—Chicago’s gorgeous Museum Campus is a favorite spot.

Meaningfully Engaging Communities

David, who joined us after working for over 35 years at the Illinois Department of Transportation, draws on his wealth of experience to coordinate local agencies, engineers and our creative team on public projects. In his role, he helps secure and advise on public outreach efforts, facilitate community meetings and deliver unique, direct communications around infrastructure projects affecting communities throughout Chicagoland.

David holds a BS of Applied Science in Political Science and Government from Illinois State University.

Kicking Back with Hobbies

After days that are full and focused on big city transportation, it’s no surprise David unwinds with laid–back activities in relaxing locations: time at home with his family; reading (historical and political autobiographies and Laurence Shames’ Key West series are favorites); and traveling to warm places. Some of his favorite destinations are Key West and the Bahamas, where no one’s in a hurry and the ocean is clear blue.

Understanding Nuances

Valentina is a strategic thinker who excels at connecting the dots on projects to keep them moving forward. Her background in project management and international journalism informs the ideas, analyses, messaging and approaches she develops, and deepens our clients’ impact in sustainable and strategic ways. She previously led communication initiatives at Heartland Alliance and managed logistics for international conferences at the Inter-American Development Bank.

Valentina holds a BA in Journalism from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and an MS in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago.

Delighting in the Details

Outside of the office, Valentina enjoys time with her 16-year-old cat, Ramira, who has journeyed with her across the three countries she’s called home—the U.S., Mexico and Colombia—and frequenting Lake Michigan’s beaches with her young daughter to play and explore. An enthusiast of architecture, pottery and gardening, she finds additional joy in the creative, thought-provoking moments of everyday life.

Designing Every Detail Thoughtfully

Chris, who has spent a lifetime immersing himself in all things artistic, believes that great design isn’t just visually stunning, it’s rooted in clear thinking and deep understanding. As a member of the creative team, he combines this strategic lens with his impeccable eye for detail to visualize ideas across media—from print to web and beyond.

Chris holds a BFA in Communication Design from the Harrington College of Design.

Planning Inspiration at Every Milestone

He doesn’t just stretch his creative muscles—Chris is also an avid runner, making sure he finds time in his engaged and active schedule to average three runs a week (at least). He has completed several charity races in Chicago and says it’s his favorite way to destress, stay in shape and think of his next creative undertaking.

Elevating Brands

Drew has a passion for words and design, and he’s constantly looking for new ways to tell stories and elevate brands. He’s worked in corporate communications, nonprofit marketing and higher education—a diverse background that helps him connect with our wide range of clients. He began his career as a journalist and spent more than a decade at the Chicago Tribune, where he held a variety of editing and design positions.

Drew holds a BS in Journalism from the University of Florida.

Embracing Family

When he’s not working, Drew enjoys cycling along the lakefront, going to concerts across the city and checking out new restaurants in his neighborhood. He’s a proud Girl Dad, and he loves spending time with his wife and two teenage daughters. Drew grew up near Daytona Beach, Florida, and he goes in the ocean whenever he returns—despite his home county being the shark bite capital of the world.

Creating Memorable Moments

Maria Elena helps our clients create memorable events, working on everything from strategy to vendor communications to trade show logistics. She’s an expert at making the complex look easy and keeping things organized so our clients’ brands and messages can shine. Before joining Blue Daring, she worked in the professional services and nonprofit sectors in a variety of marketing technology, project management and business development roles.

Maria Elena holds a BS in Business Administration from Xavier University and an MBA from the University of Illinois.

Enjoying the Great Outdoors

Away from work, Maria Elena is an avid runner and has completed multiple Chicago marathons. She also enjoys hiking and traveling—and she combined those two hobbies into a 100-mile hike through Spain on the Camino de Santiago. When she’s not outside, Maria Elena loves sitting down with a good cup of coffee at java joints across the city.

Communicating with Purpose

Hong Lee brings a combination of conceptual thinking and meticulous attention to detail to every project. He has a background in brand, social and web design, and he’s worked with a range of clients—from nonprofits to real estate companies to colleges and universities. His experience informs his work at Blue Daring, where he builds brands, crafts marketing collateral and helps grow our own presence across print and digital platforms.

Hong Lee holds a BFA in Visual Communication Design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Finding Inspiration Everywhere

Outside of work, Hong Lee stays curious and active. He enjoys photography and documenting new places as he explores them—and he’s always on the lookout for new music, whether in a record store or on Spotify. A dedicated thrifter, Hong Lee has a sharp eye for vintage finds and an appreciation for the past. He also loves discovering new restaurants, cafes and bars with friends.

Leading a Creative Life

Kyle is an avid cyclist and an enthusiastic city explorer, often in the company of friends. At home, he hangs out with his 10-year-old chihuahua Samson, works on illustrations and develops products for the online store he operates, which features an evolving collection of refurbished and upcycled vintage and antique goods that reflect his unique style and flare.