Born and raised in Scottsdale, Richard (aka Richie or Richie Rich) recently graduated from Arizona State University’s visual communication design program. His creativity showed through even in high school, when he won a competition by Valley Metro to design a bus wrap, beating out 250 other designers in the process. Richard has worked on design projects for the Phoenix Improv Group and a marijuana legal firm, as well as for ASU – and at Six Degrees, he is learning to design for our B2B clients.

Richard’s reputation as a gentle, caring person who likes to hug has conjured analogies to a teddy bear. But beware! Behind the wheel, this teddy bear sounds a lot like Ted at his most profane (yes, that teddy bear called Ted). Well, every bear needs to blow off steam now and again …

Want to know what Richard’s thinking or feeling? No need to use words … you can tell just by looking at him. His penchant for visualizing the abstract and the subtle doesn’t stop at his work but transcends his being. It’s a natural part of who he is.

Whenever Richard feels blocked or stymied in his work, he remembers his favorite Robert Frost poem about coming to a fork in the road and taking the path less traveled. This helps Richard change his perspective and search for another way. Poetry: It’s powerful stuff!

One of Richard’s hidden talents is the completely spontaneous utterance of a “dad” joke. Listen for it … and yes, you’ll hate yourself later for laughing!

Joining us from MRM//McCann Detroit where she supported General Motors, Emily now works with Bay Area clients for Six Degrees. Her strong work ethic was imparted by her grandfather, who told her: “There will always be people smarter than you and better-looking than you, but you can always outwork them.” Emily believes in improving the world through what we create and is always looking for the best solution for any given situation. She likes to hike, spend time with family and practice hot yoga … well, she came to the right place for that!

Emily is related to John Muir, the famed naturalist, explorer and conservationist. Moreover, her great-great-uncle worked on the Manhattan Project.

If Emily were a beverage, she would be Irish coffee because it is a unique balance between high-energy and fun … plus it comes with a bonus sweet topper.

Emily demonstrates her strong work ethic, kindness and caring personality not just at work, but also out in the broader world helping less fortunate people. She has worked with differently abled people in the Dominican Republic and has fed hungry child refugees in South Africa and Mozambique.

The name we give things, events and people is often driven by their inherent characteristics or what we want to say about them. But sometimes a name just comes down to what can be said. Literally. Case in point: Emily’s nickname is “Emma” because her younger brother couldn’t say “Emily”!

A rare native of Phoenix, Katelyn cut her marketing teeth at a small digital marketing agency for several years before joining Six Degrees. She is passionate about marketing and always sees the good in every situation and person. Katelyn likes to travel, hike and spend time with her family when she’s not taking care of client work. Katelyn also serves as marketing chair for the Women’s Enterprise Foundation.

Katelyn by another name is Katie or Kate or Kay, though her grandmother used to call her “Katie Old Tool” (not because Katelyn’s old … come on, really, look at her pic!) but because she was always there to help her grandmother with diverse business ventures. Cool!

Katelyn will give the impression of being on the shy side and a bit reserved. But lurking behind that facade is quite the jokester. Don’t say you haven’t been warned!

Often the specific end goal of a project isn’t apparent at the start of an engagement. Katelyn is skilled at discovering and driving toward the right objective.

Katelyn is like passion fruit tea because she’s calm under pressure but has the energy to get through the day.

Julie moved from Milwaukee to the Valley of the Sun to be closer to her in-laws and to enjoy tennis and hiking on a year-round basis. For the past 16 years she has been developing creative design solutions primarily for B2B clients, including Abbott, MinXray, Snap-on Tools and Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery. She is most inspired by human resilience.

Julie’s nickname is “Jules,” though we’d spell it “Jewels” at the agency because, time and again, Julie produces great creative in quiet confidence.

Julie admits to being good at making time disappear. “Hidden” talent, indeed.

Julie is listed under “Perverts” in the credits of Jeffrey Schwarz’s 2013 documentary film “I Am Divine” for contributing to the funding of the film.

“A margarita, because it’s equal parts sweet, tart, salty and refreshing.”