StayGold isn’t just our name, it’s our North Star.

There are leaders who manage. And then there’s Carolyn. She’s spent decades doing the kind of work that doesn’t clock out, carrying her clients’ businesses home with her, thinking about their brands in the quiet moments, feeling the full weight of what it means to actually make a difference in someone’s livelihood. It’s just who she is. It’s why she’s such a force. She earns the trust of our clients (it’s not an accident that many clients have turned into friends), the admiration of our team, and the respect of her peers.

When it comes to brand strategy, Carolyn is a powerhouse. Her specialty is the hard stuff, brands with complex challenges and big unanswered questions. She has a track record of walking into that uncertainty and walking out with a clear way forward.

She’s led us to over 100 awards for marketing excellence, by staying focused on one thing: work that actually moves the needle. But the trophies are a byproduct, not the point. The point is the work. The growth. The people.

She started her career at Saatchi & Saatchi before moving to the client side at Darden Restaurants. That gives her a unique perspective as someone who has sat on both sides of the relationship and why she knows what makes a great partner.

She’s generous with her perspective, genuinely curious about yours, and will be the first to tell you that marketing can’t take 100% of the credit, it requires a great product and operations to win.

Carolyn has spent years growing not just as a professional but as a mentor and a person. She comes from a big family and while she admits she didn’t fully appreciate it growing up, you can see how that foundation shaped the way she builds teams and the loyalty she invests in people. She’s always working on herself and towards something.

An avid reader, she’ll have a book recommendation at the ready. She’ll dive into business books, thrillers like “Judge Stone” by James Patterson and Viola Davis, or a fascinating biography like Brandi Carlile’s “Broken Horses.”

But she doesn’t just read about musicians, she’s inspired by them. Lately she’s been into Phoebe Killdeer, an artist out of Australia. She’s a super-fan of the band The Alternate Routes and counts her live music experiences at “Live in the Vineyard” and on The Rock Boat as some of the best experiences of her life. An avid theater-goer, some of her recent favorites include “A Beautiful Noise”, “MJ”, and “Six.”

When she’s not reading or at a show, she’s most at home on or near the water, whether she’s boating, living the Florida life, or simply finding peace by the coastline.

Cat is the kind of person who moves to Prague with no plan beyond a four-week teaching course and ends up staying four years. It was an integral part of her life and it tells you a lot about her. She’s curious, fearless, and commits fully to whatever she’s into.

She brings that same energy to her work. Cat is a maker in the truest sense, equally at home illustrating a logo, designing a retail display, crafting a campaign concept, or doing whatever it takes to make something look and feel exactly right. She has a sharp eye and a creative instinct that’s hard to teach, and she cares deeply about the craft behind every pixel.

Before joining us she worked for a fast-growing PR company on their in-house creative team, as a Design Group Lead at a career networking platform, and as the Lead Visual Designer for an e-learning platform.

What makes her great at design is the same thing that makes her great to work with: she shows up with genuine enthusiasm, a perspective that’s all her own, and the kind of warmth that makes everyone feel a little more seen.

Cat grew up practically living on the mountain, skiing from a very young age and snowboarding by 12. That streak of go-get-it energy never left. And she needs that energy because she’s always out-and-about going to the beach, trying new restaurants, taking in a local Portland, Maine soccer/hockey/basketball/baseball game, watching a concert, thrifting, with friends for an afternoon beer yap session, and making a coffee run. You’ll also find her painting/drawing/crafting, reading, or watching whatever show she’s into at the moment. Some all time favorites: Game of Thrones, Parks & Rec, Vikings, and Euphoria, but she’s not above also taking in Love Island.

She doesn’t have a go-to favorite music genre, it depends on her mood or setting. Her most recently played artists include: Noah Kahn, Zara Larson, Young Miko, Djo, Kingfishr, Rosalía, Naïka, SAILORR, Emilio, SZA, Maggie Rogers. That tracks for someone whose interests in other areas of her life are so varied.

Behind every great team, there’s a leader shaping the direction without needing the spotlight. Someone unbothered by noise. Strategic. Hard to rattle and harder to outthink. The Chicago Bulls had Phil Jackson. The Ninja Turtles had Master Splinter.

StayGold has David Klineberg.

The role of President/Partner demands all of it: patience, perspective, and the ability to stay calm inside complexity. He sets the strategic blueprint for how client and agency work moves forward, grounding decisions in clarity rather than noise. He has a sharp instinct for uncovering consumer insight, translating brand truth, and reading how cultural and market shifts shape what actually lands in the real world.

Most people don’t believe him when he says he started his career doing publicity for independent films, but it makes sense when you think about it. He learned early how to shape attention in crowded rooms, find the interesting angles, and how to make something land without needing to shout it. But in any event, ask him about the celebrities he’s met along the way.

David has built a living on solving challenges without adding to the chaos around them. Part of that balance comes from how he recharges. Transcendental Meditation. The occasional reiki session. Putting on his headphones and letting Poolside or FKJ wash over him. Rituals for someone whose best thinking happens in stillness.

When he’s not working, he’s usually planning a trip somewhere, hopefully with his dog Calvin Klineberg along for the experience, catching a show in an intimate theater, or volunteering as a reading tutor for kids in New Haven. His Spotify sits somewhere between R&B, trip hop, and French house, with bossa nova, classic 80’s and 90’s, classic rock. So it may not be that surprising that he’s a bedroom DJ. All of it woven in. He’s usually reading two books at once, often autobiographies of fascinating lives, or books that capture the character and soul of a place in time. One favorite is “Stoner” by John Williams, a novel about an ordinary life that somehow becomes one of the most compelling things you’ll ever read.

Oh, and he knows his way around a kitchen, too.

“He’s one of the smartest people I know” is a refrain you’ll hear often about Marc. And what makes his opinion something people seek out.

Marc’s career in web development has literally taken him across the world. From his native New Zealand to Paris to New Haven, and across two decades of evolving frameworks, platforms, and creative challenges. He leads our digital practice, building digital experiences and applications that move the needle for clients and makes our own processes smarter. He’s like a chess master. He’s not just thinking about the next move, but how to be in position for what’s to come.

Before joining us in 2013, Marc worked at BBDO and Young & Rubicam, collecting more than 13 international awards along the way, including a D&AD and two Webbys. He’s the kind of developer who doesn’t just solve the problem in front of him. He solves the one behind it, too.

Systematic, sharply intentional, precise, and occasionally dry in the best way, he tends to make the people around him better without making a thing of it.

Not only can he throw down and make a great meal, he can brew you a fantastic cup of coffee, and pour you a great glass of wine. He’s a connoisseur of many things, demonstrated by his collection (obsession?) with headphones and a deep arsenal of dad jokes. A conversation with Marc always leaves you with something interesting to think about.

He also believes that the Metric system is superior to the Imperial system.

Biffy Clyro, and Manchester Orchestra are two of his go-to artists. However, he once tapped his foot to a Nickelback song. He’s made peace with it.

One elective class, Computer Design Basics, has led to a two-decade career of being one of the most trusted creative leaders in the business. It’s the result of someone who approaches his craft with the kind of quiet intensity that produces work people actually remember.

Dre operates across the full creative spectrum, brand experience, design systems, motion graphics, video, interactive media, and more. But no matter what he’s working on, he has an unwavering desire to create the most meaningful and impactful work possible.

He’s nimble and unassuming, systematic and intentional. HIs leadership shows up with his direct mentorship of teammates and in indirect ways that raise everyone’s game as a result of his own standards. His instinct is to cut the noise and find what’s actually worth saying, then make sure it lands the way it should.

Before joining StayGold, Dre led brand and experience work spanning high-growth startups to Fortune 500 companies, including nearly five years as a lead designer on Starbucks. He led the rebrand of Tweed New Haven Airport and branding initiatives for Connecticut’s capital city. His work has earned recognition from the The Webby Awards, Awwwards, Davey Awards, and W3 Awards across branding, digital experiences, video, and motion. He’s the kind of creative who obsesses over the details most people never notice, because those are usually the things people remember.

One of his hot takes says it all: “You’re only as good as your presentation. Great work, poorly delivered, is just average.” He doesn’t let that happen.

He’s a full-blown Formula 1 obsessive who loves the science, technology, and team politics, which he describes as “The Real Housewives of Motorsport.”

His music taste alone tells you something about him. He listens to Hans Zimmer to focus, Slipknot when heavier is better, old school hip-hop when the mood is right, 80s/90s freestyle when it’s warm and nostalgic, and Elvis or Jimmy Buffett to wind it all down.

You’ll often find him outside with a camera in hand, finding a way to turn the world into a story afterward, like he’s done with his trips to Iceland. A bucket list item? Witnessing and capturing an active volcano.

What people tend to find out about Dre, is that beneath the calm, reserved exterior is someone who spent years skydiving and racing motorcycles, has collected a running list of random certifications and side hustles, and isn’t scared of immersing himself in the ocean in the height of winter.

He’s an onion, and the layers keep coming. Like the time he befriended a wild squirrel named Patrice who wore custom hats and ate at a picnic table that he built for him. And yes, they went viral.

Julia is the kind of person who keeps things moving without making it feel like work. She oversees our Client Experience & Success team, ensuring every engagement is delivered with the kind of care and thoroughness that makes clients feel genuinely looked after, not just managed.

She joined the team back in 2010, which means she’s seen a lot, learned a lot, and earned the instincts that come with both. She knows what great looks like, and she cares enough to hold the line until it gets there. She shows up prepared, follows through on what she says, and takes quiet pride in work that doesn’t cut corners.

What makes her easy to work with isn’t just her organization or her eye for detail, it’s her. Julia brings optimism and steadiness to the room that puts people at ease. She’s the kind of colleague who makes the work feel less heavy without ever making it feel less important.

Julia’s travels have taken to amazing places around the world. From safaris in Africa, to the jungles of Central America, to exploring all over the US. Travel isn’t the only way she dives into what the world has to offer. She’s also devoted to cooking a series of meals built around different countries’ cuisines. She’s shared the results with us and we wouldn’t be surprised if she has some food influencers showing up on her doorstep.

What you might not expect: the person making sure every deliverable is buttoned up also has August Burns Red in her headphones. She’s been into metal and its various sub-genres since high school (other favorites include, A Day to Remember, Parkway Drive). But you’ll also find her switching over to the “Bonfire Folk” Spotify playlist (shout out to Lord Huron). Metal to fuel her energy. Folk/indie to rein it in.

She wants you to tell your dog she says “hi”, and she means it. Despite her obsession, she’s currently without a pet of her own, which we find as surprising as her Spotify Wrapped.

Hannah holds two degrees from Johnson & Wales, one in Marketing & Advertising, and one in Baking & Pastry Arts. It gives her a unique perspective on how small details contribute to a much larger outcome. She’s someone who commits fully, shows up prepared, and always brings something worth savoring to the table. A born problem solver that brings composure in the middle of organized complexity. She’s thoughtful, steady, and has a calming manner that makes both clients and teammates feel like they’re in good hands. Hannah cut her chops as a social media manager and agency account pro.

Hannah may come across as understated, but she has some bold opinions. Like how “red velvet cake is just chocolate cake with a bottle of food coloring and a PR team.”

When it comes to her favorite music, we’ll have to update her bio constantly since she says it changes daily. Right now, it’s Collapse by Chance Peña or Easy Does It by GoldFord. It’s not just music that keeps her entertained, she’s also a reality TV enthusiast with zero apologies

Living in North Carolina has its perks for her, like a spontaneous road trip to a beach town, lake, or mountain. And one fun fact about Hannah is that she’s a twin.

Chris believes good creative has one job, to be understood. Not clever for its own sake. Not flashy for the algorithm. That philosophy comes through in everything he makes, from motion graphics that hit at exactly the right emotional moment to visual systems that feel effortless because of how much intention went into them. Since joining us in 2016, he’s taken on hundreds of video and motion graphics projects with a deviation to delivering “fire and flames.”

He’s got a smile that lights up a room and his positivity is contagious. He’s attentive in a way that makes people open up without realizing it.

Born in the Bronx, his entrepreneurship journey started early. At 18, he co-founded an entertainment company that hosted live events with Interscope and Def Jam Records.

Chris conceived and hosts an annual awards celebration, “The Rollies”, that recognizes team members in unique and thoughtful ways. His contribution to company culture doesn’t stop there. He’s quick to remind us to take a breath and that “teamwork makes the dream work.”

With a background in music production, he can go deep on how sound shapes emotion. It shows up in his work, but also in his musical taste. “Brian Wilson is one of the greatest producers ever, especially on Pet Sounds. The level of detail and intention in that album is crazy.” It’s a take that surprises people who peg him as strictly a Kanye, Drake, or Michael Jackson guy (which are also some of his favorite artists). My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Thriller are tied for his two favorite albums. He’s watched every season of Love is Blind without a trace of shame.

He’s also a successful party host, throwing events throughout New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

Eddie grew up in New York with his eyes wide open, absorbing street art, high fashion, and the kind of visual culture that doesn’t come from a classroom. He taught himself to cut and sew his own clothes. He draws. He designs. He finds inspiration in places most people walk right past. As a Designer at StayGold, Eddie brings that same instinct to every pixel, translating brand strategy into visuals that actually land. His work spans web, social, campaigns, and everything in between, and he approaches all of it with a craftsman’s eye and a creative’s gut. He studied design at the University of Bridgeport’s Shintaro Akatsu School of Design, but the creative path started earlier, with anime illustrations as a kid, and a curiosity about visual communication that never really switched off. He’s the first to jump in to offer others help and always shows up with positivity.

Eddie’s knowledge of 90s signature basketball sneakers, especially Jordans, is encyclopedic. Music is also big for Eddie. “I’ll always go back to 90s R&B—Mary J. Blige, 112, Keith Sweat, New Edition… that era just doesn’t miss.” (editor’s note: agreed). He’s big into Afrobeats (Wizkid, Burna Boy, King Promise) too. Creativity permeates everything he does, including cutting and sewing his own clothes.
His hot take: respect and kindness aren’t soft — they’re powerful. And he lives by it.

Steve’s the kind of leader who earns trust quietly and holds standards firmly. He’s decisive, tireless, forthright, and anyone who’s worked with him will tell you that tracks completely.

He has a simple philosophy: approach any problem with the right people, the right preparation, and an open mind, and great ideas will follow. As VP of Creative, he applies that thinking every day, chiseling away at complex creative challenges until only the clearest, most compelling solution remains. Steve’s tuned into culture. The latest meme, what’s trending, and the obscure corners of the internet–he knows what you’re talking about and it informs his work. He’ll come up with an idea that makes you envious you didn’t connect the dots the way he did. And he’ll champion your idea with the same enthusiasm as if it was his. That’s his nature. He’s giving, open-minded, and deeply thoughtful.

Before joining us in 2017, he spent nearly a decade at Carrot Creative, rising to Chief Creative Officer and helping the agency grow from a startup into a Brooklyn powerhouse acquired by Vice Media.

In a past life, Steve solo-hiked both the John Muir Trail in California and the Long Trail in Vermont , spending a month alone in the wilderness because, apparently, that’s how he recharges.

He’s an avid skier, a hoppy beer enthusiast, and a sleep-deprived dad who loves spending time playing, exploring, and making memories with his two kids. When it comes to music, his go-to genres include this combination of rock-experimental-electronic-grungy-progressive-atmospheric. Radiohead, Pearl Jam, and Pink Floyd make his favorites list. In his eyes, Winter > Summer, and he has strong feelings about cilantro.

He’s a great gift giver. Because they’re always on point and show you that he’s been paying attention the entire time.

Santiago grew up between Fray Bentos, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina before landing in the U.S. at 15 with no playbook and a lot of drive. The journey of learning a new language, a new culture, a new everything, shaped his instincts, giving him the ability to read a room, ask the right questions, and stay steady when things get complicated.

Clients lean on him because he comes through with a kind of calm that reassures them that things are handled, not sometimes, but consistently. But he doesn’t just manage work. He makes sure it means something.

Behind that dependability is a genuinely wide-ranging mind. A diligent researcher and analyst, he immerses himself in new industries until he understands them at their core.

He exudes warmth and caring. He’ll ask you about your day, not because he’s trying to create small talk, but because he wants to know. He’s the one in the group chat that’s your hype man and the kind of person who brings you back a souvenir from his vacation because he was thinking of you.

Whether he’s playing the drums in front of thousands of people, or deftly juggling multiple projects on the same timeline, under the hot stage lights, Santi stays cool.

Beneath that cool, lies a lot of random questions he likes to contemplate and discuss. Like the physics of surfacing the Titanic to the biological process of what happens to the body after we die (but we promise he’s not morbid).

His Spotify playlists are all over the place. However, he leans towards music with real instruments vs. electronic sounds. When he’s watching something, it’s probably based on a true story rather than fiction. And he’s always down to explore the local food scene wherever he is.