Getting You Where
You Need To Go . . .

Proven communications professional with a passion for advocacy and social change

Open to opportunities

About me

I’m a former journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle who now specializes in strategic, results-driven communications. I bring extensive experience in communications, marketing, and public relations across nonprofits, foundations, higher education institutions, and startups. I’m actively seeking my next role, where I can bring a high level of energy, creativity, and focus to help an organization tell its story and achieve its goals.

People hire me because I translate complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives. My work spans grassroots campaigns, brand development, media relations, blog writing, website development, executive and HR communications, crisis communications, AI-driven content creation, social media strategy, and event planning. Beyond my technical skills, I’m a proven leader who builds and mentors high-performing teams, empowering individuals to maximize their strengths, grow their expertise, and deliver lasting results.

Collaboration is at the heart of my leadership style, and I believe in fostering open communication, teamwork, and a shared vision for success. I know when to lead and when to listen, always staying adaptable in a field that’s constantly evolving.

As an openly gay Latino man, my passion for social justice, racial equity, and LGBTQ+ advocacy is deeply personal. I am committed to creating a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I’m eager to bring my expertise, drive, and enthusiasm to a new challenge. Let’s connect and explore how I can help amplify your organization’s message and impact.
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Experience

USC's Office of Civil Rights Compliance

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING, 2021 - 2025 My work at USC played a significant role in rebuilding the reputation of the University following high-profile sexual harassment accusations and settlements. As Communications Director, I was tasked with building the brand of the new Office of Civil Rights Compliance (formerly known as the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX), resulting in major increases in website traffic, audience engagement, brand awareness and utilization of services.

Hillsides

COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING DIRECTOR 2020 - 2021 As Director of Marketing and Communications, I managed all aspects of the organization's public-facing and internal communications, including the website, public relations, event production, program communications, and executive communications. I also created COVID-related communications campaigns that resulted in major fundraising drives that netted 2x more than previous campaigns and secured national and local media coverage.

FUSE Corps

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 2017 - 2018 Led efforts to plan and execute FUSE’s Annual Celebration event, raising more than $50,000 in corporate sponsorships to underwrite event costs. Responsible for all phases of grant reporting requirements and proposals, including direct grant writing and reporting.

Renew Financial

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, 2014 - 2016 Planned, developed and executed multi-channel B2B and B2C marketing campaigns in support of expanding startup offering residential and commercial home energy finance programs, including the CaliforniaFIRST program, available to millions of California homeowners. Established and grew the Marketing Department by ensuring that the appropriate structures, systems, and competencies were developed in order to meet and exceed the goals of the department plan.

The James Irvine Foundation

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER 2006 - 2013 Developed communications strategies for foundation programs, special projects, announcements, activities and webinars. Duties included writing, editing, and project management for publications, announcements, infographics, and social media platforms; media relations; and website strategy. Partnered with key executives and the board of directors to ensure strict adherence to board governance policies.

Work Samples

Building the Brand of a Key New Office at USC

At USC, I led communications for the newly established Office of Civil Rights Compliance, building its brand and credibility in the wake of high-profile PR challenges. I developed and executed a comprehensive communications strategy to increase transparency, trust, and engagement across the university’s 85,000+ students, faculty, and staff. This included leading a complete redesign of the office’s website, incorporating trauma‑informed design principles to make resources more accessible and user-friendly.

Title IX 50th Anniversary Campaign at USC

I created and managed the year-long 50th Anniversary of Title IX campaign that celebrated gender equity at USC and spotlighted more than 60 trailblazers. The campaign became a signature communications initiative of the President's administration and was highlighted at a national educators conference.

USC Responds Report

I have contributed significantly to USC’s ongoing culture journey by promoting civil rights initiatives and harassment prevention training that led to major increases in reports filed and adjudicated as well as an overall healthier university climate, as seen in the USC Responds report.

The James Irvine Foundation's Arts Innovation Fund

At the James Irvine Foundation, I led communications for the Arts program and partnered with 18 grantee organizations to announce the results of a major initiative: the Arts Innovation Fund. As part of that work, I spearheaded the creation of a complex, interactive infographic that earned wide acclaim in the arts and philanthropy sectors and was later showcased at national conferences.

Taking a New Product to Market at Renew Financial

At Renew Financial, a clean energy startup, I was brought on as the first marketing professional to build the company’s brand and marketing strategy from the ground up in preparation for launch. I assembled and led a team of eight, developed the website and brand identity, executed a high-impact product launch campaign, and produced a series of compelling customer testimonials—efforts that drove more than $22 million in monthly revenue at our peak. Within my first year, I was promoted from Director to Senior Director in recognition of my leadership and results.

HillsidesCares Initiative

I helped launch a new healthcare initiative called HillsidesCares with a variety of communications products like a new website, an overview video, a PR campaign and a social media campaign, leading to more than 12 new placements.

Freelance work

Honor César Chávez With a Day of Community Service

Honor César Chávez With a Day of Community Service

On March 31, Californians have the perfect opportunity to take a moment and consider the legacy of César Chávez, born on that date in 1927.

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11 Spring Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits

11 Spring Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits

The arrival of Spring means it is time to gear up for the year’s second-most profitable period of fundraising after the holiday season rush. We made it through another winter and people are ready to emerge from seasonal hibernation and COVID isolation now more than ever. What can you do to capitalize on this unique moment?

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Mark Women’s History Month by Remembering Golden State Groundbreakers

Mark Women’s History Month by Remembering Golden State Groundbreakers

These California locals helped shape history in the U.S. and the world. California women have played a significant role in shaping every major industry within the U.S. and the world.

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Paypal for Nonprofits: The Pros and Cons

Paypal for Nonprofits: The Pros and Cons

If you’re not offering donors the option of using PayPal to make donations, you’re missing out. Thankfully, we’re here to help! PayPal for nonprofits is a game-changer for fundraising because it is a trusted brand that is heavily used by consumers and they make it relatively easy for nonprofits to set up.

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Be Prepared: What You Need to Do Before California’s Next Big Quake

Be Prepared: What You Need to Do Before California’s Next Big Quake

If you live in California and you’re near a faultline, experts say it’s a certainty that a major earthquake will hit your region. They just can’t be certain when it will hit. Sure, the Big One might not happen in your lifetime. But an earthquake greater than magnitude 7.0 is overdue on just about every major fault that runs through California, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

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The Best California-Centric Podcasts

The Best California-Centric Podcasts

There’s no better way to get your head into a state of California Dreaming than podcasts, and thankfully there are dozens of shows out there that will tell you more about the Golden State than you could ever want to know. Travel, food, true crime politics—there’s a show for everyone. Here are a handful of highly rated shows to get you started.

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Testimonials

 Ray is a passionate and engaged communications expert. He can regularly be seen out and about campus, promoting the equity services of the EEO-TIX Office. He played a key leadership role in an impactful USC-wide initiative commemorating the 50th anniversary of Title IX (and honoring a plethora of USC Title IX trailblazers) over the span of a year, and beyond. During my tenure at USC, he managed the EEO-TIX office’s website, keeping it timely updated with respect to content and with attention to accessibility. Ray was a pleasure to work with! 

Catherine Spear: Supervisor at USC's EEO-TIX office

 I worked with Ray for nearly two years first in an agency / client relationship, then as a marketing colleague at Renew Financial. Over that time, I got to see his full Marketing skill-set and leadership qualities. Ray has a unique ability to grasp difficult concepts, pull together the right resources, and execute on ideas. His core competencies of public relations and content development were crucial for the company during periods of high growth and publicity. He also knows how to get the absolute most out of his fellow colleagues, direct reports, and agency partners while keeping morale high. It is a management style that I respect, and hope to learn from. 

Ryan Buckley: Director of Marketing at Renew Financial

 Ray was a great colleague for the 6+ years we worked together at the Irvine Foundation. He started in a role that was focused on writing and editing and grew into a strategic communicator as he was promoted to Communications Officer. He led the communications effort to launch a new arts grantmaking strategy and helped us transition to more interactive, multimedia communications practices. Ray was a great colleague, a true team player and a joy to work with. 

Daniel Silverman: Vice President of Communications at the James Irvine Foundation and supervisor

 Ray is a wonderful colleague, and a total team player. It's been great to have another person on the team with communications experience, as we partnered together on grant reports, writing profiles, blog posts, and other projects. Ray's background as a journalist serves us well because he understands what makes a story interesting — he's able to effectively distill the impact of our many complex projects in a compelling way. Ray brings warmth and collegiality to our office, always bringing us together to celebrate each other's work. He's well-liked as a colleague and friend. 

Tina Barsegian: Colleague at FUSE Corps

 Ray has been an excellent partner on a number of significant communications projects that I needed his help with this fall. He has great insight into foundation operations, which was very helpful in his onboarding and anticipating upcoming projects. He was a pleasure to work with. 

Suzi Emmerling: Director of Communications at the Broad Foundation

 Ray is a dedicated and creative communications professional. He brings a wealth of knowledge and writing skill as well as an ability to create success under even the tightest of deadlines. Ray was my supervisor for close to two years, and he clearly values those who work for him. He proactively supported me and was an unfailing advocate of my work and professional growth. He is unfailingly cheerful and brings a collaborative spirit to all his work, which makes him great to work with and a support to all his colleagues. 

Rachel Vallens-Benditt: Direct Report at Renew Financial
  

Contact

  • Los Angeles, California, United States