Meet Eric Cantini

As Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer, Eric plays a critical role on Yalo’s leadership team. He’s deeply involved in business development, serves as an Executive Sponsor for key clients like M&T Bank, PruittHealth, and Jackson + Coker, and works every day to position Yalo as a true strategic partner, not just a vendor.

A Partner-First Mindset

When Eric talks about his work, one thing comes through clearly: partnership matters. He’s known across the team for his ability to align Yalo’s talent, strategy, and services around shared client goals.

“The best situations,” Eric says, “are the ones where Yalo and our clients act like true partners working toward the same objectives.”

Driving Impact at Scale

One project Eric is particularly proud of is Yalo’s work supporting a healthcare partner with a  new Continuing Care Retirement Community. This wasn’t a single-discipline effort. It was a full, integrated engagement that brought together UX/UI design, content strategy, copywriting, creative, WordPress development, paid media, and ongoing account and project management.

The best part? Our client got a cohesive digital experience that helped generate tours and build momentum for a major new community while reinforcing Yalo’s role as a long-term, strategic partner.

Tribe First, Always

Eric’s connection to Yalo runs deep. Having spent the past 10 years with the company, longer than any other role in his career, he leads with a strong sense of care and commitment.

“I always try to be Tribe First,” he says. That value shows up in how he supports teams, advocates for clients, and helps set others up for success. Eric is especially skilled at creating the right conditions for collaboration, ensuring teams feel aligned, empowered, and confident in the work they’re delivering.

He thrives on learning about new industries, new business models, and new challenges. That curiosity fuels his creativity and keeps his work fresh, no matter how long he’s been in the game.

Life Outside the Office

Outside of work, Eric stays just as active. He’s a big fan of adult team sports and can often be found playing ice hockey or co-ed sand volleyball. He also spends a lot of time cheering on his kids at their high school sporting events and in the spring, he takes on the role of Volunteer Assistant First Base Coach for high school baseball.

Eric’s leadership, partnership-first approach, and genuine care for Yalo’s people and clients make him an invaluable part of the team.

We’re lucky to have him helping lead the way, and even luckier to call him part of the Tribe.

Meet Rachel Gehrs

At Digital Yalo, the thoughtful and intentional work injected into our design work is a direct result of Rachel’s leadership. As Yalo’s VP, Creative Director, Rachel blends sharp strategic thinking with a deeply human approach to creativity, one rooted in curiosity, culture, and care for the people behind the work.

Leading Creativity, Day In and Day Out

In her role, Rachel oversees Yalo’s creative vision, guiding brand systems, visual identities, and campaign concepts from idea to execution. Day-to-day, that means collaborating closely with designers, strategists, and account teams to connect business goals to creative expression and make sure the work not only looks beautiful, but means something.

Work Inspired by Real-Life Design

One standout project Rachel loved working on was GenCap’s brand identity. Inspired by high-fashion influences (specifically Victoria Beckham’s ready-to-wear collections), the project was designed for an audience of affluent women, with a refined color palette and confident, modern sensibility. It’s a perfect example of how Rachel translates inspiration into strategy, creating work that’s aspirational yet grounded.

Creativity Rooted in Culture

Rachel’s creative philosophy is deeply shaped by her surroundings. Cleveland’s vibrant cultural scene with world-class museums and theater to major sports teams and incredible dining feeds her curiosity. A recent visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Renaissance to Runway exhibition left a lasting impression, showcasing how centuries-old art can spark modern couture. That same idea, honoring the past while designing for what’s next, runs through Yalo’s work and values.

What the Team Knows Her For

Ask around, and you’ll hear a consistent theme: Rachel is a leader who trusts her team. She empowers people to do their best work without asking them to sacrifice what matters outside the office. She’s approachable, supportive, and relentless in advocating for her team, which is a rare quality. She’s someone who listens first and works hard to remove obstacles so creativity can thrive.

Life Beyond the Office

Outside of work, Rachel is all about family, fresh air, and staying active. Summers are spent outdoors with activities like gardening, playing catch, and tending to the family’s pandemic-era chicken project. She’s also often found at sporting events with her family, soaking in the energy of the city she loves.

She also just got a puppy, Arnie, named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. No joke. Rachel admires his ability to stay positive, reinvent himself, and accomplish wildly different things over a lifetime (she highly recommends the Netflix documentary!). It’s a mindset she carries into her own life and leadership.

Why Rachel’s Leadership Matters

At Yalo, creativity isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about intention, trust, and impact. Rachel Gehrs embodies that belief every day, leading with vision, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to both the work and the people behind it.

Meet Jorge Garcell

In every company, there are those standout individuals who make an indelible impact—people whose dedication, expertise, and attitude elevate the entire organization. Today, I want to shine the spotlight on one such remarkable employee whose contributions have gone above and beyond expectations: Jorge Garcell.

Not only does Jorge bring a wealth of knowledge and a work ethic that never falters, but his thoughtful approach to every task, no matter how big or small, has set him apart. 

A native of Venezuela and now a resident of New Jersey, Jorge has a deep appreciation for the country he lives in and a true zest for life. He always, no matter what, has a great attitude and positive outlook! He is a friend to all, passionate about life, his work and his family. He and his wife recently became grandparents to a beautiful baby girl named Emma! Jorge loves being a grandpa/abuelo and would be pleased to show you baby pictures upon request! 

Unmatched Expertise

One of the first things you notice about Jorge is his deep knowledge as a Senior Developer. He has a remarkable ability to grasp complex concepts and break them down into understandable, actionable insights. Whether it’s troubleshooting a tricky technical issue or explaining processes to clients or me, his expertise shines through. Clients have repeatedly praised his ability to quickly assess challenges and offer clear solutions. It’s not just what he knows, but how he conveys it that makes him so special. 

Hard Work & Dedication

Jorge is the epitome of a hard worker. He doesn’t just meet expectations—he exceeds them every single time.

He has consistently demonstrated that no task is too small or too big to tackle with the same level of commitment. Whether it’s staying late to ensure a project meets its deadline, deploying something over the weekend,  or putting in extra effort to make sure every detail is perfected, his work ethic has been a cornerstone of his success and a huge asset to the company.

Thoughtful and Empathetic

What truly sets Jorge apart, however, is his thoughtfulness. He’s not just concerned with getting the job done; he’s invested in making sure the experience is positive for everyone involved! He takes the time to listen to others, carefully considering their perspectives and concerns before taking action. This thoughtful approach builds strong, trusting relationships, and creates a collaborative, inclusive environment where ideas are shared freely.

It’s not every day that you come across someone as dedicated, knowledgeable, thoughtful and energetic as Jorge. He sets the bar high and his contributions have made a lasting impact on me and Digital Yalo! We are lucky to have him!

By Brittany Lavy

Meet Melissa Ito: The 24/7 Creative

Digital Yalo hasn’t been the same since Associate Creative Director Melissa Ito joined our agency. She’s a creative powerhouse. When Melissa isn’t being creative at work or being a rockstar mom of 2, she can be found crafting landscapes and ecosystems within games such as Animal Crossing and Minecraft. She simply can not go a day without creating. 

An Invaluable Asset

Melissa is an expert at bringing creative concepts to life through digital media. She manages design workshops with clients, brainstorms UI concepts for projects, executes cohesive visuals across multiple channels and offers her wisdom and talents to anyone and everyone who needs her. 

Melissa has not only become a fundamental part of our team but an extremely valuable asset to our process. She has brought new practices to our agency that have helped our team and clients surpass their goals and expectations. 

Melissa’s Influence to Those Around Her 

One of Yalo’s values is to Amp it Up to 11, meaning we are always working to improve and deliver the absolute best work to our clients. Melissa embodies this approach fully. One phrase she uses that always rings true to me is “I think we can explore this more.” 

Melissa is constantly exploring ideas and concepts. When she’s not pushing boundaries herself, then she’s pushing her teammates to keep designing outside of the box. You think you’re done designing this section of the website? You’re not, keep exploring. This mindset has helped us push even further by throwing out the old and keep tip tapping away to a more impactful design. 

Melissa’s impact on our team is undeniable. Her dedication to exceptional UI solutions, combined with her boundless creativity, has elevated our work and strengthened our entire department. As a vital force within and beyond the UX/UI team, she continues to push boundaries, inspire innovation, and drive our success forward.

Meet Chris Dawson: Yalo’s Hot Dog Man and Tech Innovator

Welcome to Digital Yalo’s monthly employee spotlight. This space is held to shine a light on the talented thinkers and makers behind the scenes who make Digital Yalo the award-winning agency it is.

Our team boasts a diverse group of talented, smart, and dynamic professionals. And each spotlight will showcase and celebrate their unique contributions and impressive work.

So, without further ado, let’s meet this month’s star and discover the stories, skills, and obsessions that make Digital Yalo the hub of innovative thinking that it is.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Chris Dawson, a Senior Developer who’s been with Yalo for what feels like forever—and for good reason. Chris’s impact on the tribe and our clients is undeniable, and his expertise, leadership, and unique personality are key to his success.

Carrying Primrose to New Heights

Chris isn’t just a developer—he’s the driving force behind the success of the Primrose project, working closely with a contractor, Andrew, to turn the project around. Together, they optimized site speeds and tackled all other tasks necessary to bring Primrose to a great place. Thanks to their leadership and technical expertise, Primrose has become a strong success, with the client continuing to return for more. Chris’s problem-solving skills and ability to think outside the box have made him a standout figure within Yalo and with clients alike.

Mentorship and Leadership

Chris’s contributions go beyond code. As a mentor, he’s helped shape the next generation of developers at Yalo. Whether he’s guiding interns or supporting junior developers, Chris has a knack for making complex concepts simple while also pushing his team to grow and improve. His leadership isn’t just about teaching; it’s about empowering those around him to become better versions of themselves.

Beyond the Code: The Man, the Myth, the Hot Dog Enthusiast

Outside of work, Chris enjoys a mix of unique and entertaining interests. From baking and cooking to hitting the golf course or spending time at the range, Chris knows how to make the most of his time away from the computer. (He’s also known for asking the age-old question: Is a hot dog a sandwich? Feel free to debate that one with him!)

Living in North Carolina, Chris balances his love for tech with his love for the outdoors, which probably helps keep him sharp for the next big project.

Wrapping Up

Chris Dawson is more than just a Senior Developer at Yalo—he’s a mentor, a problem solver, and the backbone of many of our most successful projects. His leadership and innovative thinking keep Yalo at the cutting edge, and we’re lucky to have him on the team. Here’s to Chris and the amazing work he continues to do!

By Savannah Kopp

Welcome to Digital Yalo’s monthly employee spotlight. This space is held to shine a light on the talented thinkers and makers behind the scenes who make Digital Yalo the award-winning agency it is.

Our team boasts a diverse group of talented, smart, and dynamic professionals. And each spotlight will showcase and celebrate their unique contributions and impressive work.

So, without further ado, let’s meet this month’s star and discover the stories, skills, and obsessions that make Digital Yalo the hub of innovative thinking that it is.

First up, Jordan Talpas, Senior Project Manager at Digital Yalo. From the mountains of Colorado, she brings the heat—even if she only likes the cold.

A Beacon of Female Leadership: The Adventurer Who Guides Our Projects

Energy and diversity are critical to how Digital Yalo defines itself in the agency world, particularly in an industry often dominated by male voices. We pride ourselves on having women leading women, and Jordan’s leadership exemplifies this spirit.

What Jordan Does at Digital Yalo

She’s the reason our projects flow smoothly, ensuring the whole team is in sync and fully briefed.

How Jordan Shaped My Career

Starting out fresh from college in the bustling world of digital marketing was overwhelming, to say the least. That’s where Jordan came in. She taught me the ropes with a focus on process and critical thinking as a mandatory precursor to any project. 

Her mentorship has been transformative for my confidence and skills, and it pours from her own leadership mantra: “Stay organized and follow the process.” 

It sounds simple, but it’s her consistent application of these principles that breeds success. Under her guidance, we’re not just completing tasks; we’re excelling at them, and our clients can feel — and see — the difference.

Wrapping It Up

Jordan isn’t just managing projects; she’s crafting a legacy of empowered leaders and successful strategies. Our work is about creating connections that go beyond business, and Jordan embodies this in everything she does. It’s her way of carrying herself that highlights her formidable strength and capabilities.