WE’RE BELIEVERS

Here’s the Story

Before Great Believer, we spent our days toiling away corporate clients. Antsy for more meaningful work, we sought out side projects with mission-driven clients – the kind of work we believed in. These projects made us happier and more fulfilled than ever before. At that point, there was no turning back.

We quit our jobs and dove into the nonprofit space, putting us face-to-face with the disconnect between the power of an organization’s mission and the quality of its design. Great Believer was born so nonprofits could spend their valuable time saving the world – and look great while doing it.

Today, Great Believer is a design agency for nonprofits specializing in web, branding and print. Our team of Believers is uniquely talented and relentlessly motivated by nonprofit work, allowing us to achieve inspired results for inspiring organizations.

100
organizations

served

  • Josh Riman

    Founder & President
    Learn More About Josh
    I don't leave home without a $2 bill.
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    Josh Riman

    Founder & President

    After graduating from Syracuse University, I spent nearly a decade immersed in the world of advertising, branding and marketing. I worked at great shops and made great friends, but never felt connected to my corporate clients.

    My quest for more meaningful work led me to the Taproot Foundation, who assigned me to a string of pro bono branding projects for NYC-based nonprofits.

    These experiences fundamentally changed the trajectory of my career, inspiring me to earn a master’s in Nonprofit Administration and launch Great Believer.

    Today, I live in Brooklyn with my lovely wife Missy and my smiley sons Remy and Otis.

  • Catie Walsh

    Director of Account & Project Management
    Learn More About Catie
    I've gone gorilla trekking in the Virunga Mountains.
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    Catie Walsh

    Director of Account & Project Management

    I moved to NYC 11 years ago to attend graduate school at NYU, where I earned my Masters of Science in International Development. After graduation, I spent several years working in nonprofits focused on public health in Africa, helping to craft programs and campaigns focused on malaria and universal immunization.

    A few years ago, I made the switch to creative agencies, including Saatchi & Saatchi.

    I’m grateful that my experiences have led me to some amazing places in the world, and now thankful to be at Great Believer, where I can combine my nonprofit and agency backgrounds.

    Outside of work, you can find me curating my dog’s closet (Winston is very fashionable) or planning the next trip with my husband.

  • Mike Yamagata

    Creative Director
    Learn More About Mike
    I sleep with my eyes open, often causing friends to engage me in conversation.
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    Mike Yamagata

    Creative Director

    Raised in Hawaii and trained at Western Michigan University’s School of Arts, I’m a multifaceted art director with an endless devotion to typography, illustrations and branding.

    My versatile creative approach allows me to bring effective design to Great Believer’s amazing clients. No matter the project, I bring a keen sense of style – and a keen sense of humor.

    In my spare time, I love listening to podcasts and exploring the food scene in Queens.

  • Ash Saraga

    Director of Development
    Learn More About Ash
    I can tell you the title of any Futurama episode.
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    Ash Saraga

    Director of Development

    I’ve been gleefully pulling apart electronics and modifying software since I was a kid. Anything that could be plugged in, down to my family’s poor vacuum cleaner, was at risk of being torn to bits so I could see how it worked.

    My first road bike – a late 70s Univega, sporting drop handles and down-tube shifters – came as trade for some basic HTML edits during college at Worcester State. Afterwards, I took whatever web work I could find, with a joyous verve that’s led to ten years at nearly every level of web development for non-profits and campaigns across the country.

    Nowadays, I’m almost never without my copilot: a mighty little dog called Leela. We spend our days coding meaningful websites with Great Believer, riding motorcycles, or otherwise building, breaking and fixing things with my partner Ryan and cat Ziggy. I love books on audio, origami, chisel-tipped soldering irons and a smokey lapsang souchong.

  • Christine Hunt

    Account Manager
    Learn More About Christine
    My impersonations always kill on the main stage of the living room at Thanksgiving.
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    Christine Hunt

    Account Manager

    A nomad of sorts, I’ve called many places home throughout the south and northeast. At one time, home was North Carolina where I earned my bachelor’s degree in International Comparative Studies and African & African American Studies from Duke University.

    After college, I spent five years working at nonprofits, serving marginalized and under-resourced communities in several focus areas including education, immigrant and refugee assistance, and public health. Before joining the Great Believer team, I worked at a marketing and communications firm, which specialized in supporting nonprofit clients.

    I love helping others realize an idea, giving something new life, or creating something that didn’t exist before. I’m excited to continue contributing to causes I’m passionate about with Great Believer.

  • Chad Lamson

    Senior Engineer
    Learn More About Chad
    My wife and I were in the same kindergarten class.
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    Chad Lamson

    Senior Engineer

    Born and raised in Central Texas, my first venture into writing code was learning how to customize my Myspace profile. This created a curiosity in me about how to code, and in 2009 I launched a career working as a freelance web developer. During this time, I also worked for a nonprofit as a technical director.

    I have an equal love for designing clean and modern websites, as well as writing lean and efficient code.

    Joining the team at Great Believer was the perfect place to combine my love for building websites and working with mission-oriented clients. Outside of web development, I enjoy spending time with my wife (Stephanie) and our three adopted children (London, Jett, and Maeve), playing guitar, and golfing.

  • Noe Oberti

    Senior Designer
    Learn More About Noe
    I'm THAT person that asks for mayonnaise at every restaurant.
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    Noe Oberti

    Senior Designer

    Originally from Argentina, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the University of Buenos Aires. In 2015, I made the move to the US where I’ve continued to grow my design experience.

    During my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work for the City of Buenos Aires helping new entrepreneurs start their own businesses, as well as collaborate with events, such as Lollapalooza, Fashion Week and other international design fairs.

    As part of the Great Believer team, it feels rewarding to know that my designs will inspire and make an impact on many different parts of society.

    During my free time, I enjoy gardening, playing tennis, traveling and spending time with my dog, Ginger, and cat, Mr. Pickles.

  • Claire Wajda

    Graphic Designer
    Learn More About Claire
    I can balance a stack of textbooks on my head.
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    Claire Wajda

    Graphic Designer

    Born and raised in the beautiful Hudson Valley, I moved even farther upstate to attend college at SUNY Oswego. While there, I took far too many Lake Ontario sunset pictures and fell in love with design.

    I’ve always been looking for an agency that connects my passion for branding and illustration with the opportunity to support impactful organizations – and I’m so glad to have found that at Great Believer.

    When I’m not designing, you can find me in the great outdoors, listening to music or laughing with friends.

  • Christine Obiora

    Creative Project Manager
    Learn More About Christine
    I share a birthday with both RuPaul and Danny DeVito.
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    Christine Obiora

    Creative Project Manager

    Raised in the great state of New Jersey, I later studied at Pace University in NYC where I earned my bachelor’s degree in Arts and Entertainment Management.

    Having worked with various nonprofits, I’ve always been dedicated to uplifting meaningful causes. Coupled with my passion for user-centered design, I’m proud to call myself a member of the Great Believer team.

    Outside of work, you can always find me playing with all the dogs or obsessing over the latest Academy Awards ballots.

  • Jaclyn Skrela

    Junior Project Manager
    Learn More About Jaclyn
    I’m named after one of the actresses from the original Charlie’s Angels.
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    Jaclyn Skrela

    Junior Project Manager

    A lifelong (upstate) New Yorker, I moved to the city for college and received my bachelor’s degree in New Media and Digital Design from Fordham University. While attending Fordham, I had opportunities to organize and lead projects as well as to start learning about and interacting with the nonprofit world.

    I’m grateful to be working at Great Believer because it threads together my interests in design and project management while allowing me to continue supporting impactful nonprofit organizations.

    Outside of work, you can probably find me reading a book, listening to music, or drinking a matcha latte in the park.

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    210 Clinton Ave #3C
    Brooklyn, NY 11205

    hello@greatbeliever.us
    929.295.6079

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