What we’re
all about.

Originally from Rio de Janeiro and now based in Chicago, I bring 10 years of business development, marketing, and operations experience to strategy, storytelling, and media production—helping businesses, brands, and nonprofits grow without sacrificing ethics or aesthetics.

I founded Raye Strategy after working in development for an international nonprofit. Even after raising millions of dollars, I realized that both corporate and nonprofit sectors are bound by systems that box in creative solutions rather than encouraging them. I created Raye Strategy to offer a better way forward: strategy rooted in purpose, creativity, and impact.

Behind everything I create is a little girl from Rio who dreamed of making a difference with her creativity. That dream still shapes how I show up: with curiosity, integrity, and the belief that genuine connection is worth building.

I lead the creative work.

Across our projects, I connect the vision with the work it takes to bring it to life.

Strategy & development

Yessy and I connect the vision with research, systems, and practical next steps.

Content & advertising

Brave and I bring that vision into production through storytelling, content, and media.

The whole picture

We all stay connected throughout, so the details and the bigger picture receive the same care.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

DePaul University

Studied marketing.

Florida International University

Studied pre-law.

Harvard Business School

Branding certification.

10 years in the work

Business development, marketing, operations, and international nonprofit development.

Authenticity always wins.

Curiosity, integrity, and genuine connection shape how I create—and how I work with people.

From Guanajuato, Mexico and raised in Chicagoland, Yessica—Yessy to our team—is a military veteran whose discipline started early in her career. She’s also the person who wants everyone to feel supported, know the plan, and have what they need to succeed.

She leads immigrant justice efforts and nonprofit legal services, and brings that same instinct to advocate for people into business. Analyzing systems, creating strategies, and getting things organized are how she helps. Being a Virgo may explain the attention to detail.

As RAYE’s Managing Partner, Yessy leads the studio’s operations and works with Rafaela on the decisions that shape the business. She makes sure our team has the support and systems to carry out the work we take on.

Managing Partner

RAYE STRATEGY

Business operations

Leads business operations and infrastructure for a creative strategy studio serving 200+ clients and managing a six-figure portfolio.

Financial operations

Oversees financial operations, including budgeting, billing, payroll, expense management, and revenue forecasting.

Core business systems

Directs the selection and implementation of CRM, project management, and client intake systems to improve efficiency and support growth.

Project resources

Manages operational planning, team capacity, and resource allocation across client projects.

Market research

Leads market research and competitive analysis to inform service offerings, pricing, and business development.

Hiring & team development

Develops hiring, onboarding, and performance review processes that establish clear responsibilities and accountability.

Technology & data practices

Oversees technology vendors, cloud storage, access controls, and data privacy practices.

Studio leadership

Partners with the Creative Director to translate the studio’s vision into business priorities, measurable goals, and daily operations.

EXPERIENCE

Military veteran

Discipline, coordination, and a commitment to supporting the people around her.

Immigrant justice

Leads immigrant justice efforts and nonprofit legal services.

Systems & strategy

Analyzes how things work, organizes the moving parts, and builds practical plans that support people.

Yes, two Virgos.

And she’s also my wife. Yes, we’re both Virgos!

Brave helps bring creative ideas into the real world—and keeps the moving parts connected along the way. From video editing to local production, their work supports the care and craft behind what our clients share with their audiences.

Working closely with Rafaela on content and advertising, Brave supports production, joins creative brainstorming, keeps track of client communications, and helps coordinate internal projects. That means the conversation, the plan, and the final edit remain connected.

Alongside Yessy and Rafaela, Brave stays involved across our work so everything runs smoothly. We each have our own strengths, but no one works in a silo: every project benefits from the whole team.

From the idea to the final edit.

Production & editing

Video editing and local production, working with Rafaela on content and advertising.

Creative brainstorming

Helps turn the initial idea into something we can make and share.

Communication & coordination

Keeps track of client communications and coordinates internal projects so the conversation, plan, and production stay connected.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

BFA in Film & Television

Creative Producing.

3 short films

Produced three short films.

2 webseries episodes

Produced two webseries episodes.

A favorite project.

You Not Lightning is a superhero romance where the hero doesn’t win in what truly matters. Addiction and relationship struggles unfold through a rookie superhero trying his best to provide, but losing sight of what’s most important to him.

You don’t know what you don’t know.

“I use this when learning new things or wanting to improve at things I’m currently doing. It reminds me that I can always improve and learn from others to help me grow.”

— BRAVE

Games. Fantasy. A good story.

“My hobbies are usually playing video games XD. I enjoy writing fantasy as well and have enjoyed reading more recently.”

— BRAVE