Strategically Creative, Creatively Strategic

  • Photo of Melissa Ballate Melissa Ballate President Close

    • Exemplifying a Fearless Founder

      Early in her career, Melissa realized that everything that works, in business and life, is a perfect marriage of form and function. This was the inspiration for starting Blue Daring, where she leads our team and serves as a senior strategist and thought partner dedicated to helping our clients articulate their value and leverage their brands and strengths in powerful ways.   

      Melissa holds a BA in Marketing and an MS in Information Systems Management from Loyola University Chicago. 

    • Leading with Curiosity and Commitment

      Melissa is passionate about education, business and travel and gives her time to organizations that nurture them. She serves on the board of Loyola University’s Quinlan School of Business and is a member of the prestigious Economic Club of Chicago. She is also a co-owner of two retail concessions at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and previously served on the Chicago Police Board. She is a lifelong Chicagoan, a mother of two, a huge fan of boxing and an aspiring polyglot. She loves Europe and is on a current quest to learn the cello. 

  • Photo of Vanessa Mentor Vanessa Mentor Ideation Lead Close

    • Keeping An Eye on Culture

      Vanessa’s knowledge of psychographic and demographic trends, culture and popular attitudes is unrivaled, and she puts it to work to inform strategies and brands, develop unique names and concept creative, culturally-contextual ideas and tactics. Her intuition with people doesn’t stop there—as BD’s longest-tenured team member and first hire, she also anchors our team culture, keeping us inspired, connected and growing, individually and collectively. 

      Vanessa attended Harold Washington College in Chicago. 

    • Knowing What's New and Next

      Is there anything she doesn’t know? Vanessa’s cultural connections and curiosity make her our go-to expert for everything from the best restaurants and trending cities to the latest social media phenomena and binge-worthy TV (especially reality TV, which she shamelessly loves). She spends her spare time exploring new recipes in the kitchen and checking out what’s new on the ever-evolving beverage scene. 

  • Photo of Shuky Leung Shuky Leung Creative Lead Close

    • Designing the Best Solutions

      When it comes to strategic design solutions, Shuky provides the best of both worlds. As a multi-dimensional senior creative, she brings her experiential design expertise to developing brands and communications that delight our clients and make the most of every possible medium. A highly proficient manager of people and resources, she helps our creative team deliver on complex branding projects for industries ranging from healthcare and manufacturing to philanthropy and the arts. 

      Shuky holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Columbia College Chicago. 

    • Daring to Soar with Style

      Shuky’s creative skills go “above and beyond” design—literally. An aerialist specializing in silks, she enjoys doing acrobatics while suspended in midair (gracefully, of course). She is also our resident fashionista and raises the Blue Daring fashion bar with her bold, colorful and cutting-edge style. Shuky savors elevated food experiences and loves exploring downtown Chicago for hidden design gems and adventures. 

  • Photo of Veronica Cruz Veronica Cruz Outreach + Execution Lead Close

    • Moving Projects Forward

      Veronica’s knack for getting things done is a remarkable combination of being able to anticipate needs and genuinely wanting to help others. She applies it daily to help both our clients and our team members meet deadlines, address the unexpected and collaborate to consistently achieve their objectives. Reflecting her exceptional ability to nurture professional relationships and support the equal exchange of ideas, she builds strong partnerships that yield strategies and design that impacts. 

      Veronica holds a BA in PR, Advertising and Applied Communications from DePaul University. 

    • Organizing Life Outside of the Office

      Now in her “mom era,” Veronica delights in the happiness and laughter that come from playing and being silly with her young son. Being a parent has made her more focused and intentional with her time as well; the culinary pursuits she’s always enjoyed have expanded beyond baking yummy treats and sweets to finding and making recipes for her toddler that are nutritious and help her build her family’s cookbook.

  • Photo of David Palia David Palia Public Involvement Lead Close

    • Meaningfully Engaging Communities

      David, who joined us after working for over 35 years at the Illinois Department of Transportation, draws on his wealth of experience to coordinate local agencies, engineers and our creative team on public projects. In his role, he helps secure and advise on public outreach efforts, facilitate community meetings and deliver unique, direct communications around infrastructure projects affecting communities throughout Chicagoland. 

      David holds a BS of Applied Science in Political Science and Government from Illinois State University. 

    • Kicking Back with Hobbies

      After days that are full and focused on big city transportation, it’s no surprise David unwinds with laid–back activities in relaxing locations: time at home with his family; reading (historical and political autobiographies and Laurence Shames’ Key West series are favorites); and traveling to warm places. Some of his favorite destinations are Key West and the Bahamas, where no one’s in a hurry and the ocean is clear blue. 

  • Photo of Chris Richards Chris Richards Designer Close

    • Designing Every Detail Thoughtfully

      Chris, who has spent a lifetime immersing himself in all things artistic, believes that great design isn’t just visually stunning, it’s rooted in clear thinking and deep understanding. As a member of the creative team, he combines this strategic lens with his impeccable eye for detail to visualize ideas across media—from print to web and beyond.  

      Chris holds a BFA in Communication Design from the Harrington College of Design. 

    • Planning Inspiration at Every Milestone

      He doesn’t just stretch his creative muscles—Chris is also an avid runner, making sure he finds time in his engaged and active schedule to average three runs a week (at least). He has completed several charity races in Chicago and says it’s his favorite way to destress, stay in shape and think of his next creative undertaking. 

  • Photo of Genevieve Waller Genevieve Waller Writer + Strategist Close

    • Knowing What Makes a Great Story

      Belief in the power of a well-told story is the unwavering throughline for all of Genevieve’s work. An accomplished journalist, teaching artist, researcher, writer and communicator with 20+ years’ experience in the U.S. and abroad, she’s an expert collaborator when it comes to helping clients creatively and strategically build narratives, translate data and engage audiences. 

      Genevieve holds a BA in English from Santa Clara University, and an MS in Agricultural Journalism from UW-Madison. 

    • Making the Most of Adventure

      Curiosity and daring (how fitting!) have driven Genevieve across state lines and country borders, through cities, over oceans and up mountains into remarkable adventures. When not sating her wanderlust, she savors Chicago, the city she knows best in the world; laughs with her friends; relishes her family and writes award-winning fiction—her prime pursuit among several creative endeavors—while mindful of doing as much as she can daily to aid “the renaissance of wonder.” 

  • Photo of Riley Brady Riley Brady Designer + Manager Close

    • Impacting Audiences through Design

      Riley’s conceptual and visually-harmonious work is rooted in her fine arts and art history backgrounds, which fuel her talent for creating brand stories with impact and complement the exceptional organization and project management skills that make her a natural manager. With a professional background that includes complex production, multimedia and motion-based design projects, she is passionate about achieving inclusivity and accessibility through design, and garners consistent praise for her vision and creativity. 

      Riley holds a BFA in Graphic Design from Drake University. 

    • Collecting Inspiration as a Cultural Omnivore

      A lifelong library-goer and dedicated CD-borrower, Riley is continuously on the lookout for what to read, watch and listen to next. Her love of learning new things informs her artistic practice, which is rooted in illustration, printmaking and traditional craft. She believes learning and art are for everyone, and loves engaging equally with the “high culture” of postmodern fiction and Italian Renaissance art and the “low culture” of punk music and B-grade horror movies. 

  • Photo of Pete Grupico Pete Grupico Designer Close

    • Visualizing Brand Stories

      Pete understands the crucial role that visuals play in building compelling brand narratives. Whether creating materials and experiences for public projects, private companies and non-profits, or learning about the latest developments in the fields of graphic design and illustration, Pete’s technical skills, creative talents and artistic abilities add depth and dimension to how we support clients. 

      Pete holds a BFA in Communication Design from Kutztown University. 

    • Finding Artistry Around Each Corner

      Pete loves to explore Chicago and the Midwest, often with his rescued pup Zeppelin by his side, and is committed to expanding an impressive posters and prints collection. He spends much of his free time checking out the city’s vibrant live music scene for entertainment as well as inspiration toward his art, photography and printmaking pursuits. However, like any true sports fan, he’ll settle in and down to root for his favorite teams whenever there’s a game to watch—especially Philadelphia (Fly, Eagles Fly).  

  • Photo of Kyle Richer Kyle Richer Designer Close

    • Amplifying Design’s Impact

      Kyle is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer whose love of color, texture and visual storytelling energizes and enhances the ways we bring brands and strategies to life. He creatively supports brands, initiatives, products and a full spectrum of print and digital communications—always with a collaborative spirit, keen attention to detail and an eye for what’s current and forthcoming. 

      Kyle holds a BFA in Graphic Design and Illustration from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. 

    • Leading a Creative Life

      Kyle is an avid cyclist and an enthusiastic city explorer, often in the company of friends. At home, he hangs out with his 10-year-old chihuahua Samson, works on illustrations and develops products for the online store he operates, which features an evolving collection of refurbished and upcycled vintage and antique goods that reflect his unique style and flare. 

  • Photo of David Hart David Hart Communications + Outreach Associate Close

    • Advancing Client Goals

      David’s strong communication skills and attention to projects benefit our team and clients alike. His sharp analytical lens and lifelong passion for language enable him to identify and expediently address complex issues and needs that arise at a moment’s notice. In his previous work as an event planner, he honed his attention to detail and ability to manage multiple large projects simultaneously, capabilities that serve our clients on a daily basis. In addition to event management, David also has experience in social media content development and nonprofit communications. 

      David holds a BA in Advertising and Public Relations from Loyola University Chicago. 

    • Putting Down Chicago Roots

      Born and raised in New Orleans, David is an avid traveler who has visited 32 states thus far in his quest to see all 50. When he’s not on the road, he seeks out live music, visits the variety of coffee shops in his neighborhood in search of the city’s best vanilla latte, and bonds with friends by cooking, binge-watching Survivor and putting his pop culture knowledge to the test during trivia nights. 

  • Photo of Shijing (Laura) Li Shijing (Laura) Li Designer Close

    • Using Imagination as a Tool

      Shijing is a multidisciplinary designer whose creations breathe life into branding, packaging and publications. Using both physical and digital mediums, she blends the art of design with the power of language. Her mission is to develop materials and experiences that inform and inspire our clients’ audiences and customers. 

       Shijing holds a BFA in Communications Design from Syracuse University and an MFA in Visual Communication Design from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

    • Expressing Creativity in Myriad Ways

      Shijing spends time writing “nonsense poetry,” videorecording life moments that she shares on her social media platforms and making artist books in interactive physical forms. A fan of games, she’s created and self-published two online digital games and also is developing a boardgame. When she’s not focused on her creations, she is traveling, spending time with friends and taking her dogs Taco and Luna out for fresh adventures and new discoveries—Chicago’s gorgeous Museum Campus is a favorite spot. 

  • Photo of Valentina Perez Botero Valentina Perez Botero Communications Strategist + Project Manager Close

    • Understanding Nuances

      Valentina is a strategic thinker who excels at connecting the dots on projects to keep them moving forward. Her background in project management and international journalism informs the ideas, analyses, messaging and approaches she develops, and deepens our clients’ impact in sustainable and strategic ways. She previously led communication initiatives at Heartland Alliance and managed logistics for international conferences at the Inter-American Development Bank.   

      Valentina holds a BA in Journalism from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and an MS in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. 

    • Delighting in the Details

      Outside of the office, Valentina enjoys time with her 16-year-old cat, Ramira, who has journeyed with her across the three countries she’s called home—the U.S., Mexico and Colombia—and frequenting Lake Michigan’s beaches with her young daughter to play and explore. An enthusiast of architecture, pottery and gardening, she finds additional joy in the creative, thought-provoking moments of everyday life. 

  • Photo of Michelle Hunter Michelle Hunter Consulting Writer + Strategist Close

    • Telling Impactful Stories

      Michelle uses her extensive listening and writing skills to help nonprofit changemakers translate the complexities of their work into powerful stories. With more than 15 years of professional experience, her storytelling also amplifies the work of our corporate clients. Prior to Blue Daring, Michelle spent nine years at The Chicago Community Trust, where she drove organization-wide strategic planning efforts. She also has taught writing at the City Colleges of Chicago. 

      Michelle holds a BA in English and International Studies from Loyola University Chicago and an MA in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. 

    • Savoring Life Outside of Work

      Michelle loves spending time with her family, laughing and learning with her two young daughters, and snuggling with Skye, her Pitbull/Husky mix. She’s a frequent visitor to her neighborhood’s library, lakefront and delicious bakeries; when not out and about, she’s likely engaged in one of her favorite pastimes—crocheting, swimming, reading or disappearing down endless online rabbit holes to learn more Chicago history.