Aleja Cobarruviaz
I am a Creative Lead and Project Manager with over six years of experience leading brand strategy, creative direction, and multidisciplinary teams across digital, experiential, and community-focused initiatives. Proven ability to translate vision into executable systems, align creative output with business objectives, and deliver consistent brand experiences at scale. I am, also, experienced in stakeholder management, budget oversight, and end-to-end creative execution.
Work Experience
Media Creative Mananager and Host
Sunset Youth Services, UPSTAR Records | San Francisco, CA | July 2020 – August 2022
• Directed multimedia storytelling initiatives across video, radio, and digital platforms.• Led concept development, storyboarding, and content planning.• Collaborated with production teams to ensure brand alignment.• Represented organizational voice and values in public-facing media.
Teaching Artist and Program Creative Lead
African American Shakespeare Company | San Francisco, CA | June 2023 – November 2025
• Directed creative programming aligned with defined performance outcomes.• Supported visual design, staging concepts, and production aesthetics.• Collaborated with staff and stakeholders to ensure consistency and clarity.• Maintained creative standards while meeting operational requirements.
Creative and Digital Strategy Consultant
Freelance | San Francisco Bay Area | May 2018 – Present
• Directed creative strategy for brands, artists, and service-based organizations.• Developed content frameworks, visual systems, and campaign direction.• Managed creative calendars and production timelines.• Guided teams through concept development, iteration, and final delivery.• Supported measurable audience growth and engagement through disciplined execution.
Creative and Operations Director
RFLXN Productions | San Francisco Bay Area | March 2017 – September 2023
• Defined and led creative vision across live events, digital campaigns, and multimedia projects.• Directed brand identity, visual language, and storytelling frameworks.• Led cross-functional teams including designers, performers, producers, and vendors.• Oversaw project scopes, timelines, and budgets exceeding $10,000.• Facilitated creative reviews, approvals, and quality control checkpoints.• Aligned creative output with audience goals, partner expectations, and funding requirements.• Delivered cohesive brand experiences across multiple touchpoints.
Certifications
American Heart Association – CPR + First Aid (Infants, Children, Adults)
- Certified (exp. 04/2028)
- eCard code: 271272674107
Coursera's Google: Project Management
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Core skills for project management, Agile, and Scrum basics
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Strategic communication and stakeholder management
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Certification of Completion as of 5/31/2026
Outskill 2 - Day Live AI Mastermind and Webinar
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AI Integration and Automation Professional Certificate
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16+ Hour Live Webinar Training
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Certificate of completion 1/13/2026
Education
Horizons Unlimited of San Francisco
Bachelors of the Arts SFSU
The DJ Project
Music, Audio, and Live Event Production Student Intern 2018-2023
San Francisco State University
Broadcasting, Entertainment, and Communication Arts, Minor in Entrepeneurship, Emphasis in Africana Studies– Est. 2027
Achievements
Zaccho Dance Theatre HART Artist in Residency and Grant
2022
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4-month artistic, hip-hop performance residency hosted by PUSH Dance Company in San Francisco.
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$2,000 grant stipend.
African American Arts and Culture Complex Radical Self Care Grant
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Contribute to the Black arts and cultural ecosystem through defining “Self Care”
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$500 cash grant from San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and San Francisco Mayor Breed’s historic Dream Keeper Initiative.
2022
African American Arts and Culture Complex Music and Performance Cohort Grant
2022
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Music + Performance cohort led by Tossie Long
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$10k cash grant from San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development and San Francisco Mayor Breed’s historic Dream Keeper Initiative.
Highlighted Milestones
AV Projects
2025
An advertisement for the bravemaker film fest about the originality of film and film creators, inspired by Blockbuster video (2025.)
2024
The film is about the homelessness crisis in the Bay Area As It Gets progressively worse. My part was original poetry by Aleja Cobarruviaz to pair with the story of a man named Jamal and his struggle with feeling like he needed to save his family.