by Jaedyn Guthrie
Meet the creative minds behind our power-house Marketing and Communications team. We are responsible for the strategy, design, and messaging of Camino, a nonprofit organization located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This vision began with the Director of Marketing and Communications, Molly Flynn, and has grown into a department full of passion and creativity.
I had the pleasure of interviewing everyone on our team, starting with Molly Flynn.
Molly Flynn
Director of Marketing and Communications
A year ago, Molly was the only person running Marketing and Communications at Camino. As of today, she has curated the vision of what you see, leads an amazing team, and is successfully juggling the demands of proper communication through multiple channels.
“Last January, I was a team of one. And now we’re a team of eleven. We had explosive growth, and I am so excited to see what we can do.”
Leading a team is never easy. I asked Molly to describe her leadership style in a few words.
“In the Trenches. Basically, I don’t like telling people what to do as much. I like coordinating and working with the team and problem-solving alongside the team to try to get things done.”
The past year has been a whirlwind for Camino. We’ve grown rapidly as an organization, we’ve helped tackle many community problems, and we’ve navigated the brutality of the global pandemic. Molly especially had a transformative year: she gave birth to her second son under COVID-19 restrictions while running our department.
I ask Molly what else is in store for 2021.
“Seeing the team’s capacity growth in the next few months is going to be incredible. Especially once we actually get our office space.
On a personal level, I’m looking forward to watching my family grow. My oldest is two, and he just learned how to talk. My youngest is just four months old. I’m most excited to see how their personalities develop as they grow.”
A few fun facts about Molly are that she loves out loud through acts of service, and her go-to office snack is popcorn!
Maria Luisa Salazar
Lead Graphic Designer
Maria “Malu” Salazar is our visual mastermind. She was one of the first people hired to the Marketing team by Molly in July of 2020. Originally doing tasks for every department at Camino, she now leads graphic design.
“I love seeing everyone’s work being projected into the community. To me, that is the biggest accomplishment, not only as a professional but also as a human being.”
Malu is extremely talented in generating content for corporate and advertisement, making her work valuable internally and externally. When she is not working hard, she is anticipating the growth of her family.
“I have the newest addition to my family ready to come. I look forward to teaching this little human being how to be a good person.”
We are all very appreciative of her creative input and hard work. According to Malu, “The best way I can show someone love is through hard work.”
Paola Garcia
Public Relations Manager
Paola is our Public Relations Manager and leads our messaging tactics. She manages media relations, social media, and content curation.
“A big portion of my job is making sure we have internal and external communication plans. From an external perspective, I make sure the press and media are getting news about Camino, and then from an internal perspective I help make sure staff are in the know of what’s going on at Camino.”
Paola leads with positivity and her management style is all about leading with trust. She has a talent for writing and media strategy.
This year has been transformative for Paola as well. Not only is she thriving as the first PR Manager for Camino, but she is also making strides as a first-generation Latina.
“The first thing I’m excited about for this year at Camino is our theme, ‘taking it to the streets.’ Soon, Camino will take all the amazing, collective services it has to offer and take them to the people who need it. I look forward to helping people differently and innovatively.
This year, I am also closing on a house! Both of my parents are immigrants from Colombia, so this is a big step towards fulfilling the American Dream and making them proud.”
Paola loves out loud through empowering speech and loving people according to their needs.
She loves her team almost as much as she loves her coffee!
Jaedyn Guthrie
Content Writing Intern
My name is Jaedyn Guthrie, I am the new Content Writer here at Camino. I help tailor brand messaging, which includes writing fun blog articles and social media captions to keep everyone informed on the happenings at Camino.
My productivity style is iterative, fluid, and unique.
My favorite part of working on brand messaging is definitely being on such a fun team. Everyone’s energy has been warm and positive, and I genuinely enjoy going to work!
When loving out loud, I love words of affirmation and physical touch. The smallest gestures can make someone’s day.
This year I look forward to graduating from college, thriving at Camino, and loving out loud!
Yasireth De Aguiar
Social Media Coordinator
Yasireth (Yasi) is Camino’s new Social Media Coordinator. She brings messaging tactics to our pages and answers questions from our followers. Yasi also generates new ideas for platforms, such as our newly created Instagram for our blog, Camino Stories!
“My daily fuel is coffee, new ideas, and my amazing team.”
Yasi is full of love and is a beacon of light to everyone in our department. Her love runs as deep as her dedication to providing quality content:
“My favorite part of work is ringing the yellow bell with the Paola at the end of the day. It means we completed all of our tasks!”
Yasi looks forward to making Camino her new home, and the opportunity to be influential in the local community through her work. Her goal is to spread optimism and to love out loud through understanding. “The best way to love someone is to seek to understand them.”
Yasi says her go-to office snack is fruit but she prefers Krispy Kreme donuts.
Ivan Mendez
Production Manager
Ivan is an independent filmmaker and manages production at Camino Worldwide. He refers to himself as the Wizard of Oz:
“I am focused on the vision. I am trying to put together a well-oiled machine, to where we can create and have fun.”
Ivan describes his production style as “hands-on, niche, and direct.” When he is not creating mini-movies, he is loving out loud through quality time (and possibly sharing his Cheeze-It’s.)
“My love language is definitely quality time.”
Ivan says that in 2021, he looks forward to moving people through film.
Reilly Moncrief
Podcast Producer
Reilly is helping Camino break into podcasting, as she is the sole producer of the Soup Not Salad podcast and the church podcast. She also curates our monthly, internal staff newsletter.
According to Reilly, Soup Not Salad is a big step for the Camino brand.
“Launching a podcast network is pretty amazing. Podcasting has grown 125% compared to all other mediums in the past year. For us to dive deeper into that world and spread our message is huge.”
When she’s not raiding the food pantry for candy, she’s spreading love on campus through acts of service and quality time.
“Working at Camino doesn’t feel like work.”
Chris Astudillo
Videography and Photography Intern
Chris is one of our new videographers/photographers. He works alongside Ivan and Kimai to deliver quality visual content. He describes his style as precise, different, and unorthodox.
“My favorite part of working at Camino is being surrounded by the people on the team. Everyone here is nice, willing to teach, and willing to learn.”
This year, he is looking forward to maturing as a person and being involved in community outreach.
“I want to be a vessel of God for other people, in any way possible.”
Kimai McPhee
Videography and Photography Intern
Kimai is one of Camino’s first videographers/photographers. She works on campaign videos and testimonials. Her specialty is editing.
“Some things I love most about Camino: my peers and the opportunity to learn more about media and film.”
Kimai describes her work style as “efficient, enthusiastic, and patient.” Working on the production team has been a huge learning experience for Kimai, and it's only the beginning of her professional career. She is leaving for college in the fall, which is why it's important for her to love out loud through quality time while she’s still in town.
“Quality time is my love language, because I like learning from others and building meaningful connections with those around me.”
Kimai is a proud vegan whose favorite office snack is sunbutter and bananas!
Pilar Quackenbos Santamaria
Marketing Coordinator
Pilar is our new Marketing Coordinator, in charge of our media campaigns and email marketing. Her favorite part of the role is crafting brand strategy.
“I love ideating and seeing a project evolve from concept to completion.”
Pilar identifies as an ideator who thrives under pressure. She also serves as a source of encouragement for the rest of her team.
“As far as my love language, I would call myself the biggest cheerleader. I’m big on encouragement, I’m very reassuring and cheerful. I try to be a source of confidence and positivity for others. I also love humor!”
Pilar’s favorite things are her team, her ideas, and her breakfast salmon toast!