STELLAR IS THANKFUL FOR…

We are thankful for so much this year and always🖤.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

As my children grow older and are really creating their own amazing lives it makes it harder and harder to get together for family time. I am grateful that we will all be together this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Family is everything to me and I am putting a picture of my cat because I have no current pictures of my whole amazing blended family together. You can bet I will be taking one on Thanksgiving.

Sin Van V, Owner

In addition to all of the amazing people in my village, this year I am thankful for those little moments. Moments that go by quick but mean so much. A quick text, a snuggle on the couch, an extra 10 minutes in the car with an audio book, a hug before school, or a really good Coke. Small wins happen every day, and I’m doing my best to recognize and enjoy every one of them.

Lindsay Coats, Owner

2024 was undoubtably the most challenging year of my life—filled with heartbreak, growth, and gratitude. I truly learned the meaning of “it takes a village,” and I couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible people who make up mine. From my amazing son and family to my Stellar fam, my husband’s fire crew, my besties, and so many others—you’ve carried me through my hardest days and celebrated my brightest. Here’s to my village, my rock, my everything. You are, without a doubt, the BEST.

Kristin Kilian, Marketing Manager

As 2024 wraps up, I’ve been reflecting on how much my kids have grown this year…in school, on the field, and in life. Seeing them face challenges head-on and come into their own has been incredible. Steve, thank you for being the rock that holds us steady, and to my friends and family, your support means more than I can say. To my Stellar team, I’m proud of the work we’ve done and the progress we’ve made. Here’s to carrying all this momentum into 2025 and embracing everything it brings.

Stacy Krupa, Marketing Manager

Some days seem to go so fast I forget to stop and be thankful for what I am blessed with. This year I’m thankful for the people God has handpicked for me in this season of life…friends, co-workers who have become friends, and especially my family. Having the title of ‘mom’ will always be my greatest blessing.

Julie Hrdlicka, Marketing Manager

2024 brought so many blessings to my life! I’m thankful for the health of my family and friends, having a roof over my head and a warm meal every night, and most of all, I’m thankful for the ability to wake up every morning and do it all again. Excited to see what 2025 has in store!

Cat Mahnke, Graphic & Marketing Specialist

This year, I’m thankful for my wonderfully chaotic friends and family who keep life entertaining (and occasionally leave me scratching my head). Shoutout to my cat Taco for deeming my legs the VIP lounge every night—your purring is both a privilege and a leg cramp hazard. And finally, my health deserves a nod for hanging in there, despite father time and my love of questionable snacks. Here’s to another year of chaos, cat naps, and counting blessings!

Jennifer Gdula, Client Support Specialist

As 2024 wraps up, my heart is full of gratitude for something I hadn’t felt in a long time—home. And no, I don’t just mean the fixer-upper we moved into (which, surprise, needs WAY more love than we bargained for—send help and paint, haha!). Home is the laughter of my baby boy filling the house, the warm hugs from my truck-driving husband whenever he’s back from the road and finding a STELLAR job that gets it when it comes to balancing work and life. Thank you, 2024, for bringing me back to this place of peace and purpose. I’ll take good care of it… and maybe finally tackle that kitchen reno!

Christiana Harris, Marketing Assistant

2024 will always be a special year for me, and for that, I am so incredibly thankful! Earlier in the year, I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing alongside some of my best friends. I had a few opportunities to travel, and I spent a lot of time with family. I also got to explore the area with my boyfriend; we enjoyed many hikes, rounds of golf, and meals together. And of course, I joined the Stellar Team! I’m so thankful for all of the amazing people I get to work with every day. I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store!

Allison Borski, Marketing Assistant

As I reflect on the year, I am so grateful for the many blessings surrounding me. 2024 has been a reminder of the importance of family, and I feel truly fortunate to have such a strong and supportive network of loved ones. I’m thankful for the closeness we share and the unwavering support they provide. This year has given me a renewed sense of appreciation for the good in my life, and I am filled with gratitude for those who make it so special.
Isabella Parise, Web/SEM Associate

A Thanksgiving Ode to Marketing

In this season of gratitude, we take a pause,
To reflect on marketing and its noble cause.
From brainstorms to launches, ideas take flight,
Creating campaigns that feel just right.

To our clients and partners, we give our cheers,
For trusting us with your dreams through the years.
Together, we’ve tackled each trend and each twist,
Building strategies no one could resist.

From captions that hook to designs that delight,
To SEO that climbs to the top overnight.
With analytics guiding each data-fueled win,
We’re thankful for the teamwork it takes to begin.

So here’s to the grind, the hustle, the strive,
To the magic of marketing that keeps brands alive.
Thank you for letting us craft and create,
Together we’ve built something truly great.

As Thanksgiving calls with its feast and cheer,
We’re grateful for you, every day of the year.
So, let’s raise a toast to the journey ahead,
To marketing that inspires and dreams widespread.

MEET ISABELLA PARISE

Isabella is a sparkling addition to the Stellar marketing team, bringing a bubbly enthusiasm and proven SEO expertise. With a Bachelor's in English and a minor in Mass Communications, Isabella knows how to craft captivating content that's as refreshing as a perfectly chilled glass of champagne. She's always popping with excitement to learn new things and uncorking new techniques designed to help Stellar clients celebrate success! Isabella enjoys spending quality time with her family and having a nice glass of champagne.

MEET ALLISON BOROSKI

An adventurer at heart, Allison is always looking for something new to try. She's always on the lookout for the next big thing, and when she saw the opportunity to join the Stellar team, she jumped in with both feet! Armed with a Bachelor's in Marketing and a minor in Business Analytics, Allison has a knack for making brands shine bright, and her skills are backed by a solid foundation of real-world experience. From internships to club involvement, Allison has a track record of success that's as impressive as her adventurous spirit. Whether she's navigating a mountain, lining up her next golf shot, or discovering ways to help your business grow, Allison isn't afraid to jump right in!

MEET UTAH

Johnny Utah, named to be the perfect companion to Lindsay's older dog Bodhi, quickly established his role as the lawman in the Stellar office. Nicknamed simply Utah, the Border Collie / Australian Shepherd mix definitely wants to make sure he knows where everyone is and announces all new visitors with a bark or twelve. Often found at Lindsay's feet, Utah was adopted from Animal House Shelter in July 2019. His snaggletooth charms staff and clients into providing as many scratches and treats as he demands. Utah may not be helping out with analysis and strategy yet, but he makes sure the beanbags are all broken in whenever a Stellar team member needs a break.

MEET CHRISTIANA HARRIS

Give her an "S", give her an "E"... Give her a creative challenge and she’ll bring the energy! Always ready to support the team, Christiana earned a bachelor's degree in Communication from Oakland University in Rochester, MI and has a powerhouse résumé! From her days as an Operations Manager for the Walt Disney Company to her seasons with The Detroit Pistons on their Community Relations and Corporate Partnerships teams, Chris brings a wealth of professional experience and an infectious spirit to the Stellar squad. Additionally, as the Talent and Business Development Director for two bustling Chick-fil-A restaurants she has honed in on the magic of a perfectly coordinated team and an exceptional guest experience. With her unbeatable mix of strategic insight, operational excellence, and unstoppable energy, she's geared up to champion brands and rally audiences like never before. With poms in hand, a heart full of enthusiasm, and the home team made up of her professional semi-truck driving husband and energetic son, Chris ensures every project exudes both passion and precision. Ready? OKAY!

MEET JENNIFER GDULA

A self-proclaimed organizational guru (slightly OCD, if you will), Jennifer thrives on keeping both personal and professional life in tip-top shape. With a background in retail management and education, Jennifer brings a unique blend of customer service skills and creativity to the role of Client Support Specialist. An East coast transplant, she’s perpetually in search of authentic NY-style pizza (seriously, can't find it anywhere!). An avid Anglophile, she loves binge-watching British crime dramas and dreaming of the rolling hills of Great Britain. Outside of work, you'll find Jennifer hitting the trails for a brisk walk, indulging in some quality Netflix and chill time, or annoying her daughter with questionable singing skills.  And if she had it her way, Jennifer's ultimate dream would be to own a sprawling farm to rescue animals.

MEET JOHN SOPCHYK

With a future so bright he’s gotta wear shades, John comes to Stellar with a background in social media marketing having worked in broadcasting and product promotions. This and a historical blog that he started in college gave John the opportunity to exercise his creative juices and explore different methods of content creation. A self proclaimed movie buff, John religiously watches Christopher Nolan and Martin Scorsese movies. When he’s not out hustling or watching flicks, you’ll find John on the links, building model planes or boating Lake Geneva.

MEET JULIANNA KLECKA

“They say the neon lights are bright…” at Stellar! Julianna’s current leading lady role is as a Marketing Assistant, and she is ready to put our Stellar clients center-stage, under the spotlight! With a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre and a license in Esthetics, Julianna is filled with creativity and a passion for helping others. Working in the entertainment and beauty industries has made Julianna a very determined gal, and now that dedication is ready to translate to all of our clients’ dreams, too. In her spare time, Julianna is most likely quoting Gilmore Girls (“Life’s short, talk fast!”), snuggling her Mini Aussie, or traveling to a Disney park.

MEET RICK GIBSON

More than just a rockin' attitude, Ricky is a graduate of Oregon State University and has a passion for entrepreneurship and marketing. As Marketing Assistant, Ricky leverages his creativity and work ethic to help drive client success at Stellar. When he’s not working or pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors, Rick enjoys playing guitar, volleyball, and spending time with friends.

MEET JULIE HRDLICKA

Whether it was playing softball in college, sweating it out at the gym with friends or fishing with her family, Julie knows what it takes to bring everyone together and work hard towards the end goal. Having spent the majority of her career in healthcare working with large physical therapy companies and every pro sports team in Chicago, Julie's experience with brand positioning and project management comes in clutch when collaborating with Stellar clients. As a busy mom of 4, Julie knows how to handle chaos and maximize time. When she's not challenging the Stellar team to step it up a notch, you can find Julie coaching baseball, teaching religious education, working out, playing Uber driver, or being slightly bullied by her "friends" into participating in fitness races.


MEET MARGARET SCHLEEHAUF

Starbucks in hand, Margaret joined the Stellar team in the fall of 2023. Margaret uses her previous experience as a freelance social media manager to be sure Stellar clients are looking, well, stellar across all platforms! Fueled by constant caffeine, her quick wit and creative ideas are an asset to the entire office. Margaret graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 2022 and continues to cheer on the Tigers with a big M-I-Z every Saturday in the fall. Feel free to stop by the office and say hi… but don’t come empty handed. She’ll take a venti vanilla sweet cream cold brew with an extra shot and with vanilla cold foam topped with caramel drizzle. 🙂


MEET CAT MAHNKE

Can you dig it? Cat may be the picture of youth, but she is definitely an old soul. Dressed in bell bottoms with her dad rock playlist on a constant loop in her headphones, Cat conjures up the grooviest designs for our team as a Graphic & Marketing Specialist. Cat graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design. In her spare time you can find Cat chillin’ at her pad, cooking up a pasta dish of some sort, watching Harry Potter, or listening to oldies music (her favorites are Led Zeppelin, ABBA, Jim Croce, ELO, Black Sabbath, and the Grateful Dead!). ~The Night is Young and the Music’s High~


MEET LEXINGTON GRACIA

Lexington is a fresh-faced dynamo who brings a background of retail management, hospitality, and customer service to the Stellar Edge team! Lexi’s personality is as bold as her name, and she loves coming up with creative ideas to help Stellar clients put their best foot forward through social media management and email campaigns. Lexi loves all things beauty and before graduating from college with a Bachelor's in PR & Marketing, she worked as a makeup artist for events and shows. A lifelong Fox Valley resident, Lexi joins fellow DC Charger alumni Clare and Lindsay in the Stellar office. You can’t miss her smile and energy as soon as you walk in the door – stop by and say hi!


MEET JASON PAWLAK

Do you need a solution to your web marketing needs? Fly the Stellar Edge logo in the sky and Jason will answer. After graduating from the University of Iowa with a degree in marketing, Jason set out to become a full fledged hero in the digital marketing world. He put in the work to learn behind the scenes through additional course work and entrepreneurship ventures in music. You may have even seen him performing with some of your favorite live musical acts. When not saving the world's marketing needs, Jason enjoys his time working out, playing video games or making music out of old vinyl records. With great power comes great responsibility and Jason is geared up to help Stellar web clients maximize their online potential.


MEET CARLY LEGNER

Carly brings marketing magic to the Stellar team! Transforming from Marketing Assistant by day to Cinderella serving tables at local hot spot Rosie O'Hares by night, Carly channels her inner Tiana as a hardworking, talented, self-starting princess! You definitely won't catch her sleeping on the job like Aurora, but rather focused on getting her clients more visibility via social media. Her unique jewelry and eclectic hairstyles put Jasmine and Rapunzel to shame! Carly discovered her special powers through her experience at University of Wisconsin-Parkside while earning a Bachelors in Marketing and Business Management and a Project Management Certificate. When she's not fighting the Huns or rescuing sailors, Carly likes to hang out with friends and family, travel {mainly going to Disney - duh!}, and do arts and crafts.


MEET EMMA OLSBERG

MEOW! This industrious cat mom come to Stellar with a fresh marketing & videography degree and the willingness to put in the work! Emma is a jack of all trades mastering social media for multiple clients, assisting with video editing, and tackling any task thrown her way. Her chill vibe fits into the Stellar office perfectly - contrary to her love of drama filled TV shows. Outside of work, you can find her getting down to oldies music or watching movies. Emma is a proud member of the LGBTQ community who loves walks by the ocean, good food and naps.


MEET CLARE SRAJER

Clare is no stranger to small business having grown up with a mom-preneur who opened Around the Corner Candy in 1998. She grew from employee to manager to co-owner before deciding that she was destined for more than just the sweet life. Clare came to Stellar with a desire to learn new things and put her customer service skills to great use! As Marketing Assistant, she dabbles in a bit of everything from social media to email to web. Hardworking Clare fits right in with her love of animals, music, crystals and plants. Best known for her obsession with vintage horror, Clare’s house is decked out in paintings and prints from old movies & shows like Dracula, The Munsters, and The Twilight Zone.


MEET DEVIN WRIGHT

Devin grew up in a family business quickly learning that marketing is essential. Having graduated from Judson University with a Bachelor’s in Communications and a Minor in Marketing, Devin is infatuated with the art of storytelling. He can spin a client’s vision into a fantastic tale to create value and attract customers with flair. Devin is always one to dress for success… even if the situation doesn’t call for it. A ballroom dance instructor, Devin is an old soul who enjoys classic cars, old movies and collecting vinyl records.


MEET BRIA LANGWORTHY

Bria joined the Stellar team just 2 days after her college graduation… talk about a go-getter! She is driven to help businesses shine combining both creativity and analytics. With a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Bria is ready to take on the world… or at least our amazing Stellar clients. Bria spends her time outside the office thrifting for clothing and collecting antique tea cups. Her unique style is present in her desk décor and the handmade earrings she wears each day! She is a mother… to over 20 house plants.


MEET HARRY SEMERJIAN

If you need something cleaned, call Harry. Seriously! Even if it’s not his mess, he’ll offer to fix it for you. As Stellar’s SEO expert, Harry's insight into a client's business is a valuable tool reaching more than just online audiences, but customers in the real world too! Harry has owned a handful of businesses since the ripe old age of 13 ranging from manufacturing to real estate to business services. A true Renaissance man, Harry can speak with someone for less than 30 minutes and have a complete business strategy worked out in his head leading them to definite success. A father of two teenage boys, Harry knows a thing or two about dealing with people on the brink of insanity. He fits in well at Stellar.


MEET BODHI

Named after Patrick Swayze’s character in Point Break, Bodhi joined the Stellar team in May 2017 and we don’t know how we got through the prior 6 years without an office dog! Adopted from Animal House Shelter, Bodhi is a Pitbull/American Bulldog mix that his human Lindsay cannot believe someone gave up. Bully breeds definitely get a bad rap because there is nothing sweeter than this 65-pound “lap dog” climbing into someone’s chair as we gather around the conference table. With as much charisma as his namesake, Bodhi greets visitors to the office with a toy in his mouth ready to play. He hasn’t quite developed any marketing skills just yet, but he can spot a duck or another dog out the window like nobody’s business.


MEET KRISTIN KILIAN

Anything that gets thrown Kristin’s way is handled with ease… at least as far as we know. Coming from the retail industry, Kristin is no stranger to a fast paced, ever-changing environment and has no problem adapting to the chaos that comes with managing Stellar’s high profile clients. With years of experience managing all aspects of communications for Fortune 500 companies, Kristin is able to schmooze clients, conquer any task, and ensure everything is running smoothly… even when it’s not! A Hallmark movie fan, Kristin loves spending time with her firefighter husband and rambunctious toddler.


MEET STACY KRUPA

As an expert on all things entertainment, Stacy really knows how to roll out the red carpet for Stellar clients! Her background with Fortune 500 companies makes her well equipped to deal with the ups and downs of any industry. Stacy lives for creative marketing – finding award-winning ways to entice audiences to click, download, buy, or visit through branding, social media, web design, and merchandising. When she’s not dazzling customers, she’s hitting the gym or spending time with her family. A mom of two, she’s used to working well under pressure and taking the lead to make sure sh*t gets done – traits we welcome in the Stellar office!


MEET LYNNE HARKIN

Using a space heater at her desk year-round, Lynne is no stranger to turning it up. With a background in retail and corporate sales, Lynne brings practical knowledge to help Stellar clients determine their path to success. As our content writer extraordinaire, Lynne helps brands find their voice and reaches a whole new world of customers. You may hear her getting flustered from time to time, but it’s always short-lived. Her get ‘er done, take charge attitude works in her capacity at Stellar and as the busy mom of 3 busy boys.


MEET CHRISTINA WOJTOWICZ

As a lover of spicy treats, Christina is a no-nonsense, get the job done kind of a girl. Any task thrown her way is done quicker than you can say Siracha! As our resident Web Developer, troubleshooting issues is her specialty… just like at home as the mother of two young sons! Christina’s ad agency background and experience developing websites adds another layer of insight to our client’s marketing efforts. You’ll often see her hiking and biking with her family (with a stop off at their favorite Dairy Queen for a treat!).


MEET MOLLY FIVELSON

Known around the office as Molly Pee Pee Pants, our resident Graphic Designer has more than just a small bladder. Her experience designing logos, developing brands, and creating amazing materials for Stellar clients brings a fresh perspective and artistic flair.  Molly’s easy-going attitude makes her the perfect candidate to work with constant changes and multiple ongoing projects. When she’s not out saving lives along the side of the road, she lives as a baseball widow and chauffeurs her kids to all their activities.


MEET SIN VAN V

Known for her rainbow hair, Sin is never one to settle for just one style. She pushes the Stellar team to think outside the box and consider things they would have never done before. Her Bachelor’s in Graphic Arts & Illustration from the American Academy of Art is just the tip of what she’s learned. With real-world experience in business management, marketing and promotions, event planning, and vendor coordination, Sin’s experience gives Stellar an Edge over the competition (see what we did there?). Despite her edgy moniker, Sin is a kid at heart riding her scooter, dragging the Stellar team on crazy outings, and smothering her adult son and daughter with embarrassing hugs and kisses.


MEET LINDSAY COATS

Known as the Dream Crusher, Lindsay’s level head keeps the office running like a well-oiled machine. When everyone else is trying to get in human-sized balloons and doing mid-day yoga, Lindsay is crunching numbers in a spreadsheet – literally one of her favorite things to do. With a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Lindsay has the know-how to help Stellar clients make the right decisions to reach their goals. She loves problem-solving and making things work. She has a soft spot for kids and animals… she’s been known to grab babies from strangers and roll on the ground with any dog that will snuggle her.