Make-It-Happen Director
Jackie Camacho-Ruiz
“I love being the catalyst to help other achieve their dreams.”
Everyday: Elevates others through marketing strategy and book publishing. Leads a ministry of hope for people and companies who want to share their amazingness!
Life by Numbers: 16 years in the field, 33,280 hours invested in marketing, over 150 blogs, 11 books, worked with over 300 clients
Surprising: Dreams like her four-year-old self. Anything is possible. Really, anything.
Loves: Flying airplanes. Anytime, anywhere.
Cares: Launched the Fig Factor Foundation to inspire young Latinas.
Tunes: Bossa Nova, baby!
Someday: Touch more businesses with JJR’s talents. Build a center for youth in Mexico.
Creative Director
Juan Pablo Ruiz
“Being around fast cars and listening to loud engines is pure adrenaline to me.”
Everyday: Creates brands from scratch with 100% pure inspiration.
Life by Numbers: Designer 12+ years, developed 100+ brands for clients and (literally) thousands of marketing pieces.
Surprising: Loves speed and racing sports cars.
Loves: Transforming ideas into works of beauty. Have pencil, will doodle (usually in 3D).
Fav: Biking along the Fox River.
The Biggie: “I am proud of co-authoring and designing Living the Amazing book, my most challenging design project to date — an eclectic mix of typography, infographics and chapter book layouts.”
Tunes: Eastern European dance music
Someday: “I’m living the dream! Right here, right now.”
Mission Manager
Kylie Knur
“I enjoy being around people with a positive attitude, and making the best of everyday.”
Everyday: Colors the JJR client world with positive attitude and manages projects both great and small.
Surprising: Throws an 8 lb. rock better than most (throwback from her shot put days)
Cares: Makes and delivers handmade holiday cards to local nursing homes every year.
Fav: Her pet fish Phillip (Lip for short).
Tunes: English singer-songwriter Ben Howard.
Wrote: 4-week series of articles entitled “Letters addressed to Heaven,” written in honor of her grandmother.
Someday: “Give back to those who have helped me get where I am today.”
Mission Manager
Gaby Hernández Franch
"I am on cloud nine and can’t stop smiling when I make a positive impact in others’ lives. It’s euphoric!”
Everyday: Ready to serve and help clients with new ideas and creativity with a smile of course!
Surprising: Very passionate about traveling and learning about cultures and have travelled to 9 different countries and counting.
Loves: The Arts: music, theatre, and film both as a spectator and creator.
Tunes: Latin Pop!
The Biggie: Being a published contributing author in Today’s Inspired Young Latina.
Fav: Spending time with family. They are the best.
Someday: Be an international speaker traveling and inspiring others.
PR Specialist
Marie Lazzara
“When I have a successful pitch, I can’t help but to feel happy for the clients. Whether the media placement is on television, radio or in print, I’ve done my job.”
Everyday: Connects clients with media.
Life by Numbers: A journalist since 1997 and in PR for more than 6 years.
Surprising: Sings at Catholic funerals and is in the church choir. Frequently sung songs include Schubert’s “Ave Maria,” “Panis Angelicus,” and “Amazing Grace.”
Loves: Learning about the clients and what makes them tick.
Fav: Aikido, a Japanese martial art.
Tunes: 1980s dance remixes: Pet Shop Boys, Electronic, New Order, The Go! Team.
Cares: Homeless causes.
Someday: Write a book about lessons from Mom and Dad.
Content Specialist
Lisa Welz
"I love meeting people, asking the right questions, and finding out what makes them tick.”
Everyday: I nurture relationships and use my wordsmithing skills for good, taking difficult topics and writing about them in a way everyone can understand.
Life by numbers: I was a journalist for 13 years before entering the world of content writing in 2015. During my journalist days I wrote more than 3,500 articles.
Surprising: I have a logic-based and very symmetrical mind. Asymmetric things really bother me unless they are balanced visually.
Loves: First, my family. After them, I love a good challenge.
Tunes: The louder the better! Everything. From Kid Rock to John Denver, Swedish House Mafia to Madonna, and The Dead South to Ozzy Osbourne and everyone in between.
Someday: I will live in the Wisconsin Northwoods and enjoy the cold, snowy winters.
Content Specialist
Izar Olivares
Content Specialist
Anna Marie Kukec Tomczyk
"I aim for the heart to inspire and to uplift.”
Every day: Brings news or stories home to readers from all walks of life.
Life by Numbers: Countless stories written during 30+ years as an award-winning newspaper and magazine journalist; 6 years as a spokeswoman to 3 attorneys general.
Surprising: Interviewed Fortune 500 CEOs, TV and movie celebrities; appeared on TV and radio; and wrote speeches for 2 gubernatorial candidates in my previous life.
Loves: Cooking and gardening! I even started two apple trees from seeds during the start of the pandemic, which proves that good things come from even the toughest of times.
Fav: Walking in the steps of religious figures, legends, kings and queens by traveling the world and going on pilgrimages with my wonderful husband.
The Biggie: Besides getting married for the first time later in life, it was publishing my first book, We Are Eagles: Inspiring Stories of Immigrant Women Who Took Bold Steps in Life Through Literacy.
Cares: Ensuring fairness, truth and balance in everything I write or edit.
Someday: To see the rest of the world, to finish that next book, and to help those who are less fortunate.
Social Media Specialist
Hailey Ruh
"I strongly believe in spreading positivity and assisting others in reaching their ambitions. My ultimate goal is to contribute anything I can towards building a brighter world.”