Drink for Democracy + News From Riff City
Interested in learning about the latest trends and strategies for digital storytelling and advocacy while sipping on a cocktail?
As part of SF Democracy week, Countable and Riff City are welcoming friends, partners, and peers to our offices in San Francisco (1118 Howard St.) on Sept. 25 (5:30-7:30 pm) to share a drink with others working in the field. RSVP here!
We’re planning to celebrate democracy all week. Our SVP Jess Montejano will be giving a messaging keynote on Monday at Way to Win’s annual conference on how to win progressive power at every level of government.
Riff City was founded to help entrepreneurs and leaders build movements that matter. Code For America’s founder, Jen Pahlka, often says the two biggest levers for improving people’s lives at scale are technology and government. We agree! Our team is excited to share a number of updates about our work at the intersection of the two, like helping build a tech hub in the Central Valley. Today, we’re also excited to announce a new partnership for entrepreneurs looking to scale! And new Riff team members!
Read more below. Hope to see you next week!
Bitwise is Changing Lives and Improving Cities
Can Fresno be a tech hub? Two inspirational Fresno-based entrepreneurs, Irma Olguin and Jake Soberal of Bitwise Industries, believed so. They thought IF they (1) taught poor and marginalized people to code, (2) built world-class technology hubs to house the companies hiring them, giving venue to a tech industry built on diversity and inclusion, and (3) hired the best of them to model how it’s supposed to work and build a portfolio of killer tech companies… THEN they’d lift their city and the people in it.
Bitwise recently announced “one of the largest Series A ever raised by a Latinx female-led company.” Riff City was started to help leaders, like Irma and Jake. We are proud to call them friends and support Bitwise as they expand to other underdog cities. FresYes! If you are interested in learning more about their coding academy, Geekwise, that is partnering with tech companies to help teach Veterans, the formerly incarcerated, and people from every walk of life — please reach out.
“Brian and Riff City are incredible partners. They are focused on impact and share our passion to empower the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs,” said Jake Soberal, CEO and Co-Founder, Bitwise Industries. “Their advice was essential to helping shape our story from the pitch deck to expanding our network to further our mission.”
Riff City + Armilla Partners to Power Movements and Build Brands
Today, Riff City is announcing a strategic partnership with Armilla Partners to help leaders build brands and movements that matter. For more than two decades, Armilla’s Managing Partner, Kris Houlihan, and their team have been guiding entrepreneurs — connecting them with the right institutional investors and asset managers around the globe. Kris understands what separates a successful pitch from one that falls flat: a compelling message and delivery. You’ve got one shot!
Are you an entrepreneur looking to make your deck or presentation sing and expand
your network? Riff City + Armilla can help! Schedule a free consultation now.
New Riff City Team Members
Riff City is growing and we’re excited to announce a number of new hires! Join Riff City and Countable on 9/25 at our HQ for drinks (RSVP here) as part of SF Democracy Week and meet Charlie, Amanda, and Lydia.
Meet Charlie Stanton
Charlie is a Junior Associate at Riff City with a focus in strategic communications, public affairs, and media relations. He most recently completed a fellowship with West Wing Writers, working with former Obama and Clinton Administration speechwriters to amplify clients across the corporate, tech, nonprofit, and political sectors. Charlie also brings campaign experience, serving in a key communications and policy role in the last Minneapolis mayoral race. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Political Science from Macalester College and holds a Master’s Degree in Teaching from Dominican University.
fGet in contact with Charlie: charlie@riffcitystrategies.com
Meet Amanda Daily
Amanda is a Junior Associate at Riff City. A recent graduate of Claremont McKenna College, she’s excited to put her degree in Government and Film to use. Previously, Amanda has worked in a number of PR/Marketing roles across a variety of industries, including NBC Sports Bay Area and tech start-up Relay2. During college she worked as a research assistant for CMC’s government department and served as the Managing Editor for the school newspaper. Amanda also brings film and media experience, with an emphasis on short film projects and digital commercials.
Get in contact with Amanda: amanda@rifficitystrategies.com
Meet Lydia Cho
Lydia is the Director of Community Outreach at Riff City. She has worked closely with a wide range of San Francisco communities for years. She is thrilled to be a bridge that helps our clients build great relationships with community members and businesses. Lydia joined as an intern while pursuing her master’s degree at the University of San Francisco in Urban Public Affairs. Before her big decision to become a grad student, Lydia has served for the San Francisco’s Mayor’s Office Fix-It program, where she worked on various projects concerning the quality of life issues across all neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Get in contact with Lydia: lydia@riffcitystrategies.com
-The Riff City Team
