OUR SERVICES

Heather Richman

CO-FOUNDER / CREATIVE DIRECTOR

At an early age, Heather was fascinated by design and the effects of imagery on perception and emotion. Over time, these ponderings developed into creating art and studying printmaking, photography, and art history. For over fifteen years, she has built distinctive brand identities through print, web, and interactive work.
Heather is passionate about finding the right typeface, creating compelling designs, and wowing the client with her impeccable ability to visualize and verbalize a project’s goals. Her designs are like her laughs – irrefutable and infectious.

Chris Simental

CO-FOUNDER / TECH STRATEGIST

Although Chris is a founder of Ripe, this is not his first foray into entrepreneurship. Back in grade school, Chris operated a promising (yet short-lived) homework-selling business, and then much later an online record store for DJs. While in high school he fell in love with an 80s-era computer and the world of audio and video production. He would spend the next several years trying to reconcile his passion for both.
Chris has an associate degree in math and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Cal Poly, Pomona. An award-winning home brewer, musician and former 4H member, Chris can tell you all about raising sheep, being in a band, and the technological revolution — all while sipping on a truly great pint of European style ale.

Kristen O’Connor

PARTNER / DIR. CLIENT SERVICES

Being a child star on stage definitely gave Kristen some important life skills – how to be creative, how to work with all kinds of people, how to think on your feet, and how to manage a busy schedule. After leaving her show biz life, she discovered a passion for digital media and quickly became immersed in the film, television, and web industries.
As the client advocate, Kristen is unparalleled in her ability to keep everything on task, on track, and on budget. It’s a wonder how she manages to keep all the details in her head. We don’t ask, we’re just glad she’s here.

Monica Schrock

MARKETING / CONTENT STRATEGIST

Monica Schrock is a passionate non-toxic lifer and sustainability enthusiast. She started her marketing career as a strategist for the newly established Office of Sustainability at the University of North Texas, specializing in online marketing, social media, SEO, Email campaigns & educational content development. She continued her green marketing efforts in Los Angeles for SHFT, TreePeople, PETA, & The Keep A Breast Foundation, managing global marketing campaigns, International affiliate content and promotional strategies. Monica gets joy out of creating unique social media campaigns, making her own household products, and striving to make sustainable living the norm. You can catch her drinking a coffee and reading a comic book at any given moment.

Joe Hayek

Art Director

Joe has acted as an Art Director and Designer for the past 9 years, working with companies like Google/YouTube, ABC.com and AEG Live. He has also developed an expertise in Interactive Media Design, creating e-learning microsites for Lexus, Toyota, Lincoln and Ford. During the creative process, Joe is able to provide his visual design skills as well as his knowledge of user experience design. He is dedicated to making sure the workflow is both intuitive and exciting, while keeping the look and feel on-brand.

Renee Hense

COPYWRITER / EDITOR

Born and bred in Kansas City, Missouri, Renee cut her copywriting teeth on a client list that ranges from Deutz-Allis tractors to Hallmark Cards. From there she moved to Chicago, “City of Big Shoulders” — and even bigger improvisational theater. While attending classes at Second City and performing in storefront theaters, she also had the chance to work for agencies such as Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB), DDB Needham (Needham Worldwide) and TMP Worldwide.

Now based in Los Angeles, Renee often finds herself working with medical, financial and technical clients and enjoys the challenges of transforming complex information into clear, compelling copy. And while clients have responded to her long-form skills, she is also appreciated for her ability to not just turn a clever phrase, but also churn out one catchy headline after another.

Ruby Manadero

Lead UX Designer

It’s no surprise that Ruby’s passion for merging design and technology has garnered her multiple awards. She has a talent for harmonizing the business, usability, creative, and technical aspects of any project. A natural strategic thinker, Ruby holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts & Design (New Media) from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Ruby’s expansive knowledge of user interface best practices and top-notch design skills have made her a valuable asset to the team. She takes on every design project as a challenge to make her clients shine.

Tom Lazaroff

Brand Strategist

Tom is an accomplished marketing professional with expertise in a broad range of categories. He brings to Ripe over 25 years of brand strategy, research and development.

Since moving into a consulting capacity, he has helped develop brand strategies and communications for many technology clients, helping companies like NetSuite, BlackLine achieve IPO’s, and helping fuel astronomical growth of companies like Tipalti and SnapLogic. Prior to his marketing career, Tom was an Emmy-winning producer of television shows, helping to launch E! Entertainment network.

Tom earned his B.A. at Stanford University and his M.B.A. from UCLA’s Anderson School. He’s served on the Board of Directors of a private school in Los Angeles, and volunteers as a soccer coach. And he’s a passionate fan of all sports teams from his hometown of Pittsburgh.

Stephanie Cohen

Director, Sales & Digital Marketing

Stephanie started her career in technology sales as an account executive for companies like Dell and Deltek in the bustling city of Washington DC. Her first official foray into the marketing world came as cross country move to Los Angeles, when she was given the once in a lifetime opportunity to become an assistant and social media strategist to her favorite author.

Since then, she has been successful in running promotional strategies, managing campaigns and driving new business for Ripe.

Outside of the marketing and sales world, she can be found writing fiction and poetry or dancing with a hula hoop.