We are wildly talented, tremendously clever, delightful to be around, and exceptionally humble about all of it.
Alyssa Bass “pulls the levers” here when it comes to buying and optimizing digital media. And if you’re not careful she’ll sign you up for the Civilian kickball team.
Veterinarian
Marine mammal conservation and ocean pollution – because without oceans and the animals that inhabit it, there is no us.
Travel Blogger – get paid to see the world!
Taylor Swift, Steve Irwin, Milo Ventimiglia – good music, good conversation, and eye candy!
Can my dog come with?
Barbara Mera is known around the office as “Party Barb.” Yet, the nickname and its origin remain a mystery to us all. She is our left-handed culinary extraordinaire. And, a big fan of cooking with pickles and olives. Cooking is her stress relief and pickle paradise. When she’s not concocting new recipes, she’s daydreaming about having Guy Fieri’s job – because who wouldn’t want to cruise around in a flame-adorned convertible, hunting down the next big flavor sensation?
I wanted to be an archaeologist! I technically wanted to be Blake Lively when I was younger, and she ended up being an archaeologist in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, so naturally this made sense to me…
I care deeply about Autism Speaks Walk. My brother is autistic and this is one of the world’s largest autism fundraising events dedicated to supporting the needs of people with autism and their families.
Food blogger! I’m a huge foodie, especially cooking!
a. Beyoncé – because obviously.
b. Serena Williams – I was an athlete myself, so she has been super influential in my life.
c. Rihanna – Not only is she a phenomenal entertainer, but she is an extremely smart businesswoman who has created a billion dollar company! I would love to pick her brain.
Compassionate, Courageous, Caring, Loyal, Determined
Ben Burch is from Kansas City. He reps all the Midwest and Kansas City sports teams, especially the Chiefs. He’s been a fanatic since he was old enough to say, “football.” It’s no surprise that his life goal is to befriend Patrick Mahomes and write at least one published work (probably about how he befriended a famous NFL Quarterback.) As our sports enthusiast, Ben thrives on adrenaline and faces challenges head-on, always with a teamwork mentality and winning attitude.
A professional golfer.
Criminal justice reform. There are many ways that the current system favors or discriminates against people for reasons that are far from blind justice.
I’d love to get paid to travel, eat, and write about it. Like an Anthony Bourdain show but I don’t have to be on camera.
Anthony Bourdain, Larry David, and Travis Kelce. I think this group would be a great balance of good conversation and a lot of laughs.
Care but laugh at life.
Meet Caiti Franscell, our resident Zen Master and Spreadsheet Guru! When she’s not busy hosting yoga events, you can bet she’s meticulously tracking every concert she’s ever been to on her trusty Google Sheet.
I wanted to be a teacher. When I would come home from school, I would play in my room with a huge whiteboard and pretend to teach a class to imaginary students. This desire probably stemmed from all the amazing teachers that I was blessed to have while growing up.
I am deeply passionate about the environment and leaving this world a better place. Specifically, within that realm I am passionate about protecting our ocean environments and love being involved in beach cleanups in the local San Diego area and am always picking up trash when I am enjoying a beach day with friends. To me the ocean is a place where I go to for solace and to find peace, so it is important to me that these areas are protected, taken care of, and are left better than we found it.
I would love to be a travel guide and to take people on excursions to see the world!
My Grandma Geri because she passed away when I was young and I would love to pick her brain on some of the amazing places that she got to travel to during her lifetime. David Attenborough because he changed the world when it came to natural history documentation. Robin Williams because I grew up watching all of the movies he starred in.
Forever a student of life.
Camellia Mortezazadeh can do it all, juggling award-winning projects at work, while being Mother of the Year. She may be a little sprite, but don’t let her active Girl Scout appearance fool you…she’s a old-school hip/hop aficionado.
A lawyer. Didn’t know what kind, but a strong notion of fighting on behalf of people who’ve been wronged.
Young children involved in the child welfare system. Infants and toddlers are a huge proportion of children who enter the system and are placed outside their home; this disrupts attachment, creates further trauma, and can even affect their brain development. We know that 90% of a child’s brain develops by the age of 5, so early childhood is a huge window to intervene and create healthy opportunities for development and growth. And yet, more than 50% of young children in foster care shows signs of developmental delay, and many have socio-emotional concerns, and these children are often the ones who do not get connected to much needed services. I spent some time working in this space and cannot think of a more compelling population to advocate for. I truly believe if we work to prevent and heal trauma from an early age, we are setting all of us up for a better future.
I’d open a perfume shop with interesting scents from around the world – or collect Persian, Kurdish, and Afghan rugs.
Roxane Gay, my aunt who recently passed, and my grandfather who passed before I was born in Iran. Those are people I’ve wanted to meet, see again, and have a conversation with, in that order.
Five words are not enough.
Cara O’Shea is as Irish as they come! She is everyone’s favorite “yes” person, always ready for an adventure. With her high energy, it’s no surprise that she’s usually the ring leader, bringing people together for a good time, especially around live music. As a washed-up athlete (her words, not ours), Cara’s a thrill seeker who loves running and playing sports recreationally.
An astronaut, but as an adult I have a terrible fear of flying so you won’t ever find me on a spaceship.
There are many, but if I had to narrow it down to one, I’d say inequality in education. All students should have the opportunity to receive a good education and the chance at a better life. Knowledge is power!
I love history, and used to dream of consulting filmmakers on how to make the setting, costume, language, etc. of their film historically accurate.
A meal with Barack Obama, Amy Schumer, and Anthony Bourdain sounds like a very good time!
Conscientious, outgoing, adaptable, thoughtful, adventurous.
Caylee Southland manages the talented Digital team here at Civilian. She is equally comfortable crafting awesome social media content, running large web projects, or polishing off a huge California burrito all by herself.
A lawyer
Climate change, because not much else will matter if the planet becomes uninhabitable.
A food critic, aka get paid to travel and eat.
Alex Honnold
Miley Cyrus
Anthony Bourdain
Did someone say breakfast burritos?
An astrophysicist.
Poverty abolition because everyone has the right to quality food, shelter, rest, healthcare and education. No one should be one paycheck away from disaster.
A garden designer. I love dragging around big bags of soil.
Khadija Mbowe, Hunter Harris and Tefi Pessoa — they’re among the funniest and most interesting culture critics/writers working today.
Googling this number before answering.
Chris McCracken, the enigmatic wizard of Civilian. Chris’s bio is difficult to distill down into a single paragraph, but we’ll do our best… First and foremost, he has a talking cat. Seriously. The man taught his cat to talk. Rumor has it…he watches horror movies not for the scare, but to teach his cat new vocabulary words. When he’s not bantering with Necco (the cat), he’s karaoke-ing at one of his favorite dive bars, where his performances are the stuff of legend. And let’s not forget his noble side; he sponsors a manatee, ensuring his love for creatures extends beyond just those who can speak.
Michael Jackson (which hasn’t aged well)
Waste Management/Recycling because it’s becoming a significant problem now and actions must be taken now to alter the current trajectory.
A film cinematographer or director
Directors Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, and David Fincher. It would be one hell of a film conversation.
Lanky Ginger loves singing karaoke
Meet Christian Villanueva, your favorite artist’s favorite fan. Whether if it’s riding on a spin bike to the beat of the music or singing at the top of his lungs at live music events – Christian’s infectious enthusiasm and energy brightens up the room and on the stage. From taking on Media Strategy to running from one artist’s set to another at a music festival – With his determination and passion, the sky’s the limit for what he can accomplish.
I really thought I was going to be a talk show host, I always thought that Oprah, Ellen, and Maury were so interesting to watch as I was in the waiting room for my doctor’s and dentist appointments.
A social cause I deeply care about is the Trevor Project. I had the opportunity to collaborate with them on a campaign, and my own experiences as a young person being bullied during the early days of the internet have made me especially appreciative of the resources they provide. I’m grateful that there are organizations like the Trevor Project that offer support to LGBTQ+ youth and remind them they are never alone.
I would have to say traveling the world and creating a coffee enthusiast account from some of the best coffee shops in the world!
I’m going to cheat and say the entire girl group – BLACKPINK (there’s 4 of them lol.) I’ve had the opportunity to see them 4 times last year at Coachella!
Ecstatic, personable, musical, main character. 😃
Cristina Lee is an incredibly talented graphic designer who first came to Civilian as an intern in our TAP program way back in 2017. And while she may be content sitting in her creative corner of the office trying to “fly under the radar,” her breathtaking skills in branding and logo design keep bringing her right up front.
I wanted to be a junior sales associate at a midrange paper supply firm.
I’m passionate about is the environmental movement because I want to be a part of improving the planet we live on.
I would open up my own Etsy shop selling design-y prints and trinkets.
If I could sit and have a meal with any three people it would be: Steve Carell, John Krasinski, and Rainn Wilson because I have to find out who really was the better salesman.
Sorry, busy watching The Office.
Dakota Stasch is a sports fanatic from the heartland of America and our local MVP of kickball! When he’s not dodging balls on the kickball field, he’s cheering on his favorite sports teams. He’s the guy who can tell you the stats of every ballplayer and the best place in town to grab post-game grub. Just don’t challenge him to a kickball match unless you’re ready to taste defeat…and maybe a little dirt.
I played and watched a lot of sports. My favorite has always been baseball, and I wanted to play in the MLB!
I have had a soft spot in my heart for the homeless. I always get sad when I see them and wish that I could do more to help them.
I would love to get paid to travel and visit sports stadiums, fields, or arenas! I love visiting new and exciting places, and it would be a dream to make a living traveling all over the world going to a wide variety of sports events!
Being the huge sports fan that I am, I would love to meet my favorite player every from each sport I enjoy watching. The first would be Ladanian Tomlinson who played for the San Diego Chargers for a long time. I loved how he played the game and I looked forward to every Sunday to watch him on the field. The second would be Kobe Bryant who played for Los Angeles Lakers and was an icon in the basketball world. His fierce competitive spirit and leadership was something I looked up to. Lastly, Fernando Tatis Jr. is my current favorite player in the MLB and plays for the San Diego Padres. He is a very exciting and dynamic player and always a blast to see.
Intelligent, empathetic, thoughtful, competitive, athletic.
When Einav Hillel, pronounced Ay-nahv, isn’t crunching numbers, you might find her doing actual crunches. She’s an outdoor activity junkie who loves to learn new things. Her favorite activities (at the moment) are running every day, paddle boarding, hiking, reading self-development books, and playing guitar.
A nurse
Education inequalities, because everyone should have the opportunity to reach their full potential regardless of their background.
A personal trainer
Albert Einstein – because I’m curious to know what he would think of today’s world.
Thom Yorke – because he is a genius musician.
Frida Kahlo – because she is creative and an unconventional woman.
I would rather be running.
Emmylou Delima actually has 5 legal names. That’s a total of 32 letters! So naturally she dislikes going to the DMV. Although she’s a born and raised San Diegan, she’s the family’s first generation to live in America. Emmy loves to stay active and hit the beach with her adorable shih-zhu, Gengi, and french bulldog, Tyson. And, we love it when Gengi makes his cameo at the office.
A teacher or a lawyer
I am deeply committed to so many! If I can choose one, it would be advocating for access to quality education for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic background. Every child deserves the opportunity to receive a good education.
Therapist or a professional travel blogger
Viola Davis – Her personal story combined with how she shows up in her work is unbelievable.
Beyoncé – She’s so fierce!
Maya Angelou – Her poetic mind amazes me.
I am small, but mighty!
Gabriela Baez may have “junior” in her title, but there’s nothing junior about her abilities. She’s a multi-cultural design powerhouse who is just as comfortable concepting for campaigns as she is producing them.
From what I remember, I wanted to be a veterinarian to save and take care of all the dogs.
I care deeply about climate change and the environment. This is something that I’m passionate about since it is something that affects all of us regardless of race, age, socioeconomic status, etc. It also heavily affects the environment and habitats of hundreds of animals that for the most part have nothing to do with the harm done to the earth, yet are still paying the price.
I would love to have an art studio where I could spend my time creating all types of crafts using different mediums such as painting, screen printing, sculpting, laser cutting… my list is endless.
Ariana Grande because she is a confident powerful woman, and her voice is angelical and The Weeknd because they are an iconic duo, and they can give out a concert for me. I would also invite a plus one to enjoy the concert together.
I am trying my best
Haley Argeros is not just nice, she’s Midwest nice. A native Michigander, she’s one of the most courteous people you’ll meet. In her spare time, you can find Haley with her nose buried in a book, daydreaming about her happy place on a small island in Maine, playing at the beach, or petting every dog she meets.
A fashion designer
Mental health. As someone with anxiety who goes to therapy, I think mental health care should be much more accessible to all and discussed more frequently/openly.
I would love to be a flight attendant and roam around the world.
Sophia Loren: I named my car after her and she is an ICON
Leslie Knope: I would love to be her beautiful, talented, brilliant, powerful musk-ox
Marie Antoinette: I listen to any and all podcasts about her and her story is fascinating and misunderstood
That don’t impress me much
Hannah Sebahar is the ultimate soccer aficionado whose love for the game and the San Diego Wave is only rivaled by her passion for the great outdoors and San Diego sunshine. This girl LOVES being outside, playing in the ocean, running, hiking, and camping.
I wanted to be a marine biologist and play around in the ocean. This was after I found out I can’t become a mermaid.
Climate change and environmental advocacy. Our planet is our life source and makes this world wonderful in so many ways, I feel it is my duty to care for and stand up for it.
Travel journalist, surfer, or chef
Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna – Can you imagine? That conversation would be all over the place and incredibly fun to experience.
I’m happiest in the water
Born and raised in our beautiful borderlands, Hiram is a communicator for good causes. He is an advocate for human rights, former journalist, former candidate for public office, and is a perpetual student of dogs. Loves to play music, soccer and is an avid camper / off roader. He is a proud Powegian.
Two things: A firefighter as an adult, and a paletero as a viejito. OMG, I have not accomplished my childhood goals! Well, I might still be a paletero who knows.
Human rights. Because the way we treat each other sets the tone for the policies we create.
So many things! Soccer player or soccer coach, musician in a dimly lit bar, dog trainer (or trained by dogs), desert adventurer or professional video game player (FIFA only).
Barack Obama to discuss leadership and red lines.
Emiliano Zapata to discuss the Mexican Revolution over a bottle of tequila.
Madeleine Albright to discuss geopolitics, Putin and the Cold War.
Decide or someone will decide for you.
Holly Vaughn is a native San Diegan and Civilian’s resident gecko mom. (Shoutout to Geoffrey!) When she’s not at the beach getting stung by a stingray or home trying out a new recipe from TicTok, Holly manages social media for Civilian and our clients with an extraordinary mixture of creativity and detail.
I wanted to be a scientist.
I care deeply about public transportation because it reduces our environmental impact while safely connecting more people to more opportunities.
I would want to play trumpet in a jazz band.
Kurt Vonnegut, John Steinbeck, and Hunter S. Thompson because they would have a lot of incredible stories to tell.
Big fan of beach days!
Janea Jackson may not be the star of a hit show yet, but her interest in talking all things media means her Media Planning is “mwah” (insert chef’s kiss here).
Actress (not shocking given my dramatics when I was younger).
Alzheimer’s research. This disease has affected my family in the past and currently. I’d love to be a part of something one day where we are one step closer to more answers and a cure.
Podcast host. Give me a mic and let me speak about reality tv, entertainment news, etc. and I’d be in heaven.
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi: The first 4 seasons of Jersey Shore were iconic and historic…enough said
Maury Povich: I LOVE Maury! Biggest Hollywood crush ever
Nate Bargatze: Favorite comedian at the moment
I’m a really fun time!
Janet, a Florida native turned New Yorker, is now thriving on the West Coast. With 10+ years in media planning, her passion for strategy and media math shines through on everything she touches. In her free time, you’ll find her cooking, listening to podcasts, or catching up on endless TV shows with her husband.
An actress (I loved to play pretend!)
Inspired by the work done by the Environmental Working Group, I believe the food we eat, the water we drink, and the products we consume should be safe, non-toxic, and easily accessible.
Personal development & wellness coaching.
I would invite my grandma, so I had the chance to spend more time with her; Taylor Swift, to learn how she manages her incredible career; and Ariana Madix, because she’s the “it girl” of the season.
Spicy Libra who loves love.
Jessica Little has it all. Talent. Creativity. Dedication. A sense of humor that is unmatched. A LOT of shoes. Everyone loves her. And she loves every dog she comes across. Like EVERY dog.
I’m not sure, but when I was 5 I wanted to be an alligator.
Suicide is something I have dealt with within my extended family, so suicide prevention is a cause I am very passionate about.
Hanging out with my dogs.
Nick Cave, because I love him, Bruce Campbell, because he’s the best, and my sister, to make it less awkward.
I’m all out of bubblegum.
Jonathan Green is a self-identified jock who secretly loves magic. Ok, maybe we just tell him he secretly loves magic but one thing is for sure, he is an absolute wizard when it comes to running digital media on any platform you can think of.
Best friends with Tony Hawk
Education. It gives us tools to better understand the world and those around us.
Cooking
Gödel, Escher, and Bach. There’s a book I’d like to discuss with them.
I’ll give it a shot.
When wickedly talented Graphic Designer Justie Lim isn’t spinning up amazing creative concepts and social media ideas for Civilian, she is hanging out with her dogs Mozzarella and Banana Bread, and running her Instagram Account @DogsInFoodHats. You get it.
I’ve always loved dogs and really wanted to be a vet until I found out that their responsibilities include putting animals down.
Accessibility to health (physical and mental) resources
I would love to either be a food writer, or to run a cute little indie bookshop.
Padma Lakshmi—she would either cook or choose an amazing meal, and on top of that seems like she’d be such a fun time
John Lewis—a national treasure
Keanu Reeves—I’ve had a crush on him since I first saw Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and by all accounts he is one of the nicest people in the world
Weird…in a fun way!
Justin Palicki has been around. He was first a client, then an account exec, to our King of Culture and Manager of web content and dev projects. He takes just slightly enormous pride in the fact that he’s responsible for bringing all these awesome Civilians to our agency. He’s also a foodie who’s whipped up many mean agency cookouts at the drop of a dime. Justin will tell you: “My mission is to make things better. Better work. Better communication. Better relationships. A better experience.”
Pro Baseball Player or the Culligan man
Sick Kids hurt my heart. I wish I could save them all. Socially, the food we eat needs to be better. I wish we had healthier food options for kids more readily available, and Multi-national Corporations didn’t rule the trash that is out there.
I would take over where Anthony Bourdain left off. Travel x Food x Writing x Experience
Richard Pryor, George Carlin and Prince. Because why the f*ck not
I Love LOVE and Tacos
(**Read on in a country western accent**) Meet Karli Wagner, our very own country girl, with a heart of gold and a smile from ear to ear! Karli lives her best life with an impressive arsenal of hobbies. Line dancing? Check. Surfing? You betcha. Playing guitar? Karli can strum a tune more pleasantly than a cowboy riding off into the sunset.
I wanted to be a cowgirl! Unfortunately, I learned that I was very allergic to horses when I finally convinced my parents to let me go to horse camp…
Mental health awareness. I’ve seen the toll that this can take and have learned the importance of understanding conditions and utilizing the increased access to resources for those who need it.
Taste testing lattes on a beach
My Grandpa, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson. I’d get a kick out of seeing my grandpa light up and sing with them!
I’d line dance to this.
Fun fact about Katie Harris is that when the workday is over, she dives headfirst into the spine-chilling world of horror movies. Yep, you read that right. While others unwind with a rom-com or a documentary, Katie’s getting her adrenaline fix with dark plot lines and jump scares. Talk about a unique stress relief!
Katie Harris is the “other Katie” and a very even-keeled account person known for always getting it done – no matter the challenge. She’s a dedicated and tireless worker who brings levity to most situations with her very Betty Rubble-like laugh. Just don’t ask her opinion on the electric scooter craze.
Marine Biologist
Parkinson’s Disease research, as it affects my family
Backup dancer out on tour, preferably for Britney
Ben Barnes
Josh Hartnett
Kaleo Wassman
Ultimate speed dating experience!
Always say yes to champagne
Kim Coutts is the best storyteller on this side of the Mississippi. And believe us, she has great stories to tell about traveling the world and embracing new cultures and adventures, and rubbing elbows with whos who. Kim is a Walking Wikipedia and Communications mentor extraordinaire. She brings life, laughter, and the perfect amount of sarcasm to our team.
Kim Coutts is tall. She’s also an accomplished PR expert who we’re psyched to have all for our own. Prior to Civilian, Kim was a partner with Fleishman-Hillard and spent many years running her own firm. Did we mention how tall she is?
I wanted to be a war reporter or Walter Cronkite
Working Dogs for Conservation – or any charity that gives rescue dogs the chance to be loved and useful to the world
Global Aid work – ideally I’d be the handler working with above working dogs for conservation living in Africa and kicking ass against poachers
Oscar Wilde – every quote I love is from him
Alexander Skarsgard as Eric from True Blood
Roy Williamson – my friend who died in high school and I still miss him
So much left to do
Meet Kyra Hillenmeyer, our Pilates enthusiast extraordinaire, who’s perfecting her Pilates poses with pizzazz and precision. With a mat under one arm and a smile from ear to ear, she’s infectious spreading her joy for core strength and flexibility around the office. Watch out world, this future Pilates instructor is about to give you sore abs!
Little Me wanted to be either a lawyer or a pop singer (I still kind of want to be the latter).
Food insecurity. The U.S. wastes over 100 billion pounds of food each year, and still there’s a rising percentage of food insecurity among lower income citizens. No one should starve because they can’t afford to buy food. Schoolchildren should not be made to go hungry because they have lunch debt.
Hands-down, I would be a chef! I love challenging myself with new recipes and sharing love through food.
James Baldwin, Nina Simone and Dorothy Dandridge. The Black experience in America is rooted in many things, and there is a richness and depth among these three that would be amazing to feel first-hand. Not to mention the stories they could tell!
Curious, resourceful, kind, funny, optimistic!
One of Laura Graybill’s specialities is transforming underwhelming spaces into works of art. With an eye for elegance and a flair for the fabulous, she’s the go-to guru for anyone in need of a stylish touch. From throw pillows to tablescapes, she’s a master of making the ordinary extraordinary. You’ll be inspired by her impeccable taste and creative genius! (Laura, what do you think of my new side tables…are they too much?)
A fashion designer or a dolphin trainer, but turns out I can’t draw, sew, and am scared of marine life.
Environmental conservation, I want future generations to have a thriving planet to live on.
A tv host for the travel channel. Who wouldn’t want to get paid to visit some of the most amazing places on earth?
Betty White, Snoop Dog, and Larry David. I could only imagine the stories and hilarity that would ensue.
“Die with memories, not dreams”
Lauren Hunt is the glue that holds Civilian together. Her positive energy and effortless joy make every day at Civilian a good one. If you ever spot her at a gathering, she’s the gal you want to mingle with. She’s got a pocketful of great stories and some of the best party tricks. But don’t challenge her to a Karaoke sing-off…she’ll beat you every time.
A TV or radio host
Child well-being. There’s no such thing as other people’s children.
I would be the lead singer of a band.
My mom, the brilliant, beautiful gardener of my soul who died of breast cancer in 2015
My friend Jean, my hilarious, witty, and deeply loyal partner in crime who died of ovarian cancer in 2015
My husband, Bill Russell, because he is the best and they both adored him and he adored them and he makes everything more fun and it would be a glorious reunion
Are y’all ready for this?
Although a native New Yorker, Lauren Lyons traded in her snow boots for flip-flops. In San Diego, Lauren enjoys hunting down the best orange wine and cacio e pepe. But, she still cheers on her favorite home team, the Buffalo Bills. We aren’t sure if there is a Buffalo Bills bar here in SD, but if anyone can rally the troops, it’s Lauren.
When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
The pyramids really were my 10 year old self’s Roman Empire. Being an archaeologist was the dream, and being the one to not only make discoveries on dig sites but also reveal the stories behind the items and structures found was my go-to career path for years.
A social cause you care deeply about and why?
Women’s access to healthcare, mental health, social and community support, building toward a positive climate and environment. These are all movements and causes that are working towards healthier people and healthier communities, and for me supporting them is how I feel I’m contributing to a better future.
If you could earn a living doing anything else, what would it be?
Restoring paintings! Watching the process of what goes into bringing hundred-years-old portraits back to life is my version of ASMR.
You can invite 3 people from either present day or history to break bread with, who would it be and why?
During my first trip to New York, I saw Nora Ephron’s play Love Loss and What I Wore and the whole experience is tied to me not only falling in love with New York, but also what made me decide to live there. I’d love to just sit and compare our New York experiences then and now, and ask her how she navigated her career and life.
Stevie Nicks just to learn about Fleetwood Mac lore, I mean Silver Springs, the entirety of Rumors, everything about the band and her solo career is fascinating. Lore aside, Stevie has been the soundtrack to every girls night and so many life moments for me that she’s another person I would be happy to just sit and listen to on anything and everything.
And then this would bring me to four but they come as a pair, and I’d have to say my nieces! Every time I see them it’s like they’ve grown into the next version of themselves. It’s beautiful and exciting and awesome to witness, but bittersweet because there really isn’t enough time to marvel at how they’re becoming their own selves. Any chance to sit and talk with them is priceless. (BRB, booking flights to them now!)
In 5 words, describe yourself? (must use all 5….no more…no less)
Constantly checking IMDb during movies!
Leah Davis has been with Civilian from the very beginning and continues to make the agency better and more efficient. She is as resilient as they come. She’s also a big fan of sushi which we believe she’s had every day for lunch for the past 135 years.
Leah Davis is in charge of all the internal runnings of the agency account team. She has been with Civilian from the very beginning and continues to make the agency better and more efficient. She is as resilient as they come. She’s also a big fan of sushi which we believe she’s had every day for lunch for the past 135 years.
A Fly Girl on In Living Color
Mental Health – Every single person is affected by mental health; their own and of those around them. It is mind-blowing to me that it is not viewed with the same importance as physical heath, yet to thrive – you need both. It’s exciting to see the cultural shifts that have been made over the last 10 years. I’m proud to be working in this space.
Social worker or family advocate
Wayne Dyer
Ellen DeGeneres
My son, Blake
Determined to make a difference.
Lisa Welborn comes to Civilian from a Media career spanning many years in agencies both large and small. Somehow, this still hasn’t crushed her bubbly spirit as her enthusiasm and positive attitude remains simply infectious.
When I was in first grade, we were asked to dress up a life size cut out of ourselves as what we wanted to be when we grew up. I chose to be a singer.
Anything that supports children and babies. I consistently donate to the IRC (International Rescue Committee) to support women and their needs around childbirth as well as education and school supplies for young children.
The female version of Anthony Bourdain
Monica, Rachel, and Phoebe
Wine and cheese, That’s Amore!
Maddy Young (our resident Gen Z-er) might be one of the youngest on staff, but she is capable and wise beyond her years. Maddy is inquisitive, always asking the right questions. She is passionate about doing work that makes the world a better place, which is why she’s always working. Even in her spare time, Maddy’s always on the go, with hobbies like running, climbing, and hiking.
A Zookeeper (I truly believed they had the power to speak to the animals)
A social cause I care deeply about is the current Foster Youth System in the US. There are far more children entering the foster care system than there are people opening doors to them. Our youth is our future and I believe that all children deserve a fighting chance at living a life full of support and stability.
Hosting my own talk show where I invite celebrity guests to solely discuss pop culture hot takes with me.
Jennifer Laurence, Elton John, and Selena Gomez; I just think we would have a jolly old time together chatting it up and I think they would all give really good life advice.
Wants to do it all
Mariana Fernandes began her career in Project Management and Finance before making the jump to Digital which means you better have your ”you know what” together. She’s also just as passionate about her Brazilian futbol.
I think I wanted to be a lawyer.
Climate change. We need to significantly ramp up changes to our lifestyles and belief systems if we want to survive the next decades in a planet that is no longer capable of withstanding this much negligence.
Eating
Beyonce, for being the greatest entertainer of our time;
Sebastiao Salgado, a Brazilian photographer who’s led a pretty interesting life;
Isabel Allende, a Chilean author.
Beach times are happy times.
Maura Burke Accounts person extraordinaire. We were lucky enough to swoop her up on the heels of a move back from the DMV.
A vet
Human Rights causes – I’m passionate about fighting for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
TV Producer
My grandpa Rudy – I miss him and would love to be reunited.
Michelle Obama – she’s an inspiration and I know my grandpa would be excited to meet her too.
Martha Stewart – she’s iconic and I would love to learn recipes from her.
Can we listen to Drake?
Megan Bosse’s last name may be pronounced Bossy, but we like to call her Nutmeg, because she’s delightfully sugar and spice and everything nice. Nutmeg is the most optimistic and cheerful person you will ever meet. She lights up the room with her bright smile and can-do attitude. She’s a Taylor Swift enthusiast who loves listening to live music, drinking cold brew, and sharpening her trivia skills.
A professional horseback rider
Inclusion for people with disabilities. It’s not enough to be aware. We need to practice acceptance and give them the same opportunities we have to work, live, and thrive in our communities.
Travel writer hands down.
Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, and Paul Rudd. I think they are all hilarious and there would be a ton of laughs!
What time is happy hour?
Does living in Los Angeles mean superstar Media Supervisor Natalie Rodriguez is a celebrity? Well, anyone that has the pleasure to work with her sure thinks so!
A ballerina because I loved to dance, and the tutus were gorgeous.
Alzheimer’s research as it affects my family, and it is more common in women.
A kindergarten teacher! I love interacting with little kids and I think they say the most hilarious and yet sometimes wise things.
Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Rihanna…hey I can’t afford their concert tickets, so I am bringing the personalized music festival to me!
Lover of Netflix and wine
Pete Levine is our resident time traveler who is well known for dropping dad jokes (which came before he was a dad…) and antiquated pop culture references, like classic one-liners from the ’80s. He enjoys telling stories about his adorable son, catching waves at the beach, and teeing off on the golf course like a pro.
Shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds
Civil liberties: the right to love and marry whomever you want
Playing golf or owning a small restaurant
My Grandpa as he died when I was 10 and I’d like to know him as an adult
My Dad to see the two of them together again and hear the stories
My mom’s mom (nana), RIP +15 years before she contracted dementia so that she could see what I’ve accomplished
Family-Golf-Surf-Pizza-Travel
Philip Shieh is known far and wide as an excellent Assistant Media Planner and a major prankster. While we trust him implicitly when it comes to work, we don’t turn our backs on him when he “has that look in his eye.”
A marine biologist/baker on the weekends, diversified streams of income and unlimited access to carbs.
I’m passionate about combating homelessness and advocating for affordable housing because I believe shelter is a basic human right.
I would open my own traveling shop frequenting farmer’s markets and selling macrame wares and ceramics.
I would invite my grandmother, Giulia Tofana, and Sporus. My grandmother because she’ll always be my favorite person, and the other two led fascinating but tragic lives and I’d love the chance to sit and unpack trauma with them.
If sarcasm was a person
Ron Wesson leads Integrated Media and has helped many of our clients successfully launch their online presence. To know Ron is to know that he’s not your typical ”digital guy” in that he has a way of speaking about his craft in a manner that everyone can understand. But whatever you do, don’t let him catch you putting the hot sauce in the refrigerator.
Oceanographer Matt Hooper from Jaws.
Taking care of our oceans, and everything that lives in it. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good fish taco, but I love making sure that the sea and sea life continue to be there for generations to come more than that.
Testing the comfort level of socks.
Edgar Allen Poe, George Carlin, and Groucho Marx. That would be a fun crew for Happy Hour.
I won’t let this fail
Stacey Nelson Smith is our President and CEO, and our Queen Bee. She’s assembled a great cast of like-minded characters here at Civilian and has never seen an opportunity that wasn’t worth pursuing. She has a relentless passion that permeates throughout our agency. She also loves her sauvignon blanc.
When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer
A social cause you care deeply about and why?
Foster Children
If you could earn a living doing anything else, what would it be?
Charter Boat Captain
You can invite 3 people from either present day or history to break bread with, who would it be and why?
Anderson Cooper
Dick Cheney
Justin Timberlake
In 5 words, describe yourself? (must use all 5….no more…no less)
Adventurous, loving, competitive, independent, food focused*
*OK, that’s 6 words, BUT she’s the boss
Tenney may no longer hold the record for the 100 yard butterfly at her high school, but she still holds the record for the most animation projects at Civilian. Besides being an animation “whiz kid,” she can also knock out any other design request that comes her way, and will do it all while rocking an impressively color blocked ensemble.
Interior decorator
Worker’s Rights. There’s a lot of reason I care about this, but the long and the short of it is I aspire to live in a world where workers aren’t alienated from their labor and can live comfortably from their wages.
A professor of color theory or a professional jigsaw puzzler.
I would invite Hilma af Klint, Vasily Kandinsky, and Mark Rothko to have a deeply niche conversation on art theory and practice.
Is there an audiobook version?
Introducing Tiffany Carmona, our Friends TV show enthusiast. It’s been said that Tiffany can quote every episode faster than Ross can say, “We were on a break!” With a black belt in Kwon Shu and getting stuff done, Tiffany is the agency’s not-so-secret weapon, making everything she touches better.
I wanted to be an actress.
Climate change. The impacts of climate change on agriculture, extreme weather events, sea levels, and biodiversity are profound. Tackling this issue is fundamental to sustaining conditions that allow our ecosystems and human population to thrive.
Traveling
Robin Williams for his humor and kindness.
Maya Angelou for her wisdom and influence.
Emily Blunt for her storytelling and fabulous accent.
I’ll be there for you.
Travis Kushner is one of Civilian’s tallest team members and we’re darn glad to have him. He’s a great guy who comes to us with powerful skills from working at major agencies in London and San Francisco. Travis really knows his media, his digital, his digital media… you get the idea.
Pretty sure at that age I wanted to be a pyrotechnician who designed and ran firework shows.
I grew up constantly playing out in nature, hiking in the mountains, and swimming in lakes. I think humans have a fundamental responsibility to live in harmony with the natural world, and I think we’re doing a pretty terrible job of it at the moment.
Drummer. Or travel blogger.
Hm, tough but classic question. I’d say Robin Williams to keep the mood funny (but brilliant), Voltaire to elevate the conversation, and Bob Dylan to do Bob Dylan things.
All-around. Up for adventure.
Meet Varinda Gupta who hails from the land of vibrant culture and spicy cuisine. Varinda moved from India to the States after graduating college. She currently WO-mans Civilian’s North wall up in Fresno. Varinda is a bookworm, armed with a library card and a knack for punchlines sharper than a freshly sharpened pencil.
A travel show host. Or a film director.
Women’s Rights. Women, especially women of color, are disproportionately affected by issues such as domestic violence, lack of access to education, healthcare gap, pay gap, and many more.
Reviewing restaurants. Except I don’t know if I have the extensive vocabulary of food writers that I sometimes read in magazines or food blogs.
Michelle Obama, Miley Cyrus, Greta Gerwig
Always looking for an adventure!
Zack Mitchell’s wide array of skills are in such demand at Civilian that you may have trouble hunting him down in the office. He makes it a lot easier when he wears his Hawaiian shirt that even Weird Al would approve of.
A paleontologist (pretty ashamed I had to look up the spelling)
Misworded idioms, I’d like to take proper word use for granite.
Reading obscure Wikipedia articles.
Jim Croce, Ray Bradbury, and professor J.R.R. Tolkien. I’m a geek for their senses of humor and writing.
This is a stressful prompt.