About - K2 is an award-winning creative studio celebrating over 20 years in business. Our primary services are Branding, design and illustration. We develop innovative marketing initiatives that help companies succeed in the marketplace. By combining the power of creative thinking with strategic vision, K2 aids in fueling tangible growth by influencing customers and strengthening brands. At K2, our mission is simple. We will create impactful marketing solutions for our clients while respecting budgets, meeting timelines and exceeding expectations.
Claire Kaler
Founder/Creative Director
Claire’s keen business sense and designer’s eye have guided K2 to the forefront of creative innovation since 1991. After attending Pratt Institute in NYC and graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Claire worked in advertising in Washington DC, joined Park Ridge Health System’s marketing department and later worked as a design consultant to several corporations and healthcare organizations before founding K2.
Claire is on the Board of Directors for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and CDS. She is a member of the Rochester Advertising Federation and the American Marketing Association, Rochester Chapter.
Julie Bonzo
Branding Manager
Julie’s multi-faceted business experience gives her a comprehensive understanding of K2’s clients. She has worked with entrepreneurs, multi-nationals and those in between in the areas of marketing, branding, project management, website development, and finance. Julie is rolling her experience into something she loves – capturing the essence of a company, product, or service to build brands that are effective and genuine. Julie has a Bachelor of Business degree from St. Bonaventure University and a Penn State MBA.
John Cammarosano
Senior Art Director & Illustrator
Continually reinventing his design, illustration, and goatee, John brings a wealth of talent to K2. John’s work is characterized by an exciting, bold style. His skills include design, illustration, infographics, maps, icons, information design and just about anything you can throw at him! John graduated from Nazareth College with a BFA, and then worked on the Enterprise Resource Planning Team at Kodak. He also spent several years as a designer at Idea Connections before joining K2 in 1998.
Melissa Cappello
Marketing Director
Melissa focuses on helping K2’s clients develop, align, and execute their brand and marketing strategies. She uses her mix of creative and analytical skills to design compelling, results-driven marketing solutions. With more than ten years experience split between corporate and agency settings, Melissa has managed corporate and private label marketing programs across multiple channels, and has worked with retailers including Kodak, CVS, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target and Office Depot. A graduate of the SUNY at Buffalo, she holds degrees in Public Communications and Mass Media.
Barbara Day
Web Manager
With a background in graphic design and a degree in Printing Technology from RIT, Barbara Day has been adding to her web development toolkit for over 10 years. Specializing in content management systems, she uses this experience to realize cost effective online solutions. Barbara’s recent focus is on using responsive design to build websites optimized for both desktop and mobile devices.
Monica Guilian
Senior Art Director
With her distinctive, humanistic and clean design style, Monica’s work and reputation for excellence continue to attract both corporate and non-profit clients alike. Prior to being lured to K2 in 1997, Monica was a well-established designer, specializing in healthcare and education marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a Master’s degree in computer graphics from RIT.
Loren Kaler
Account Executive/Office Manager
Loren’s core responsibilities are as account and project manager. Loren provides a specialist role in marketing research and consumer branding. He also keeps the office running smoothly. A recent graduate of Kent State University, in marketing, K2’s clients benefit from Loren’s tenacity and drive.