Meet the Team

— Together we are the team behind Kooltura.

United by a shared set of values rooted in community, heritage, and culture.


Omar Rodriguez

Owner, Marketing Director

[ Linked In ]

 

San Jose State University

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

  • I am the owner and Marketing Director—an entrepreneur driven by a profound passion for cultural marketing and branding. Over the past 14 years, I have cultivated meaningful partnerships and engaged deeply with local non-profit organizations and community members, which have played a pivotal role in Kooltura’s growth and impact. My focus has been on creating opportunities and services that bring community members together to celebrate heritage and culture throughout the City of San José.

  • I was born in Mexico City but have spent most of my life in San José, California. My family heritage and childhood memories are rooted in the coastal communities of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico. Despite their geographical distances, these places are tightly woven into my identity, serving as consistent sources of pride and inspiration.

    My parents' journey to the United States in pursuit of a better life has profoundly influenced my life and that of my siblings. Their sacrifices serve as the driving force behind my vision for Kooltura Marketing and my commitment to giving back to both my family and the communities I belong to.

  • I am actively involved in the San José arts and culture community. My role as the Board Chair for the Cashion Cultural Legacy, a non-profit organization committed to sustaining and promoting Mexican folk culture through dance. My involvement in East San José, a predominantly Mexican/ Latino community extends to social impact by focusing on community empowerment, cultural preservation, and the celebration of diversity. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and playing Soccer.


Sendy Tapia

EASTSIDE Magazine, Managing Editor

[ Linked In ]

 

San Jose State University

Bachelor's degree, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

  • First-generation graduate, grassroots activist, and community builder. As a biliterate storyteller, listener, and lover of all creative expressions born out of the limited diversity in the area. Her work and dedication drive an internal passion to involve and empower BIPOC voices in her community for an equitable and progressive tomorrow.

  • Native to the unceded territories of the Nimíipuu (Nez Perce), Imatalamłáma (Umatilla), Walawalałáma (Walla Walla), and Liksiyu (Cayuse) tribes of the Grande Ronde Valley in Eastern Oregon; Sendy is the youngest daughter of Michoacán immigrants, who have contributed over 40 years of agricultural labor to multiple Western states.

  • Have you ever stepped outside the city line and looked up at the sky? Does curiosity about the uncharted depths of the Pacific Northwest ever strike your mind? Can you imagine the amount of languages lost throughout time from the impact of humanity? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have captured a glimpse into Sendy’s peculiar mind, molded by what she has seen, heard, and told.


Carlos Morales

Marketing and Communications Manager

[ Linked In ]

 

San Francisco State University

Bachelor's degree in Communication

  • As a San José native and creative marketer, I've spearheaded efforts to ignite the nonprofit community, fostering a wave of awareness for cultural events in the heart of East San José. With my bachelor's degree in Communications from San Francisco State University, I launched my professional journey at Kooltura Marketing in 2021. This experience goes beyond just a job; it's a platform for crafting narratives, developing impactful campaigns, and grounding myself by standing on the shoulders of giants.

  • Proudly hailing from Mexicali, Baja California, my roots extend from the southern state of Michoacan, Uruapan, where waterfalls complement the lush green landscape. Today, I stand tall in Downtown San José, California—home of the San Jose Sharks and your favorite marketing agency.

  • I proudly wear various hats: a full-time creative marketer, a full-time fiancé, a son, a brother, and a dad to two French Bulldogs. Lastly, I'm a part-time Sneakerhead and golfer. While I might not be the best at golf, I'm no stranger to pars and 'fores!'


Nancy Estrella

Marketing Coordinator, Graphic Designer

 

University of San Francisco

Bachelor of Art (BA) Design + Minor in Psychology

  • I am a first-generation Mexican-American graphic designer and visual storyteller. Experiencing the Bay Area's diverse art scene, in my upbringing fueled my creative journey. The natural world and the intricacies of human emotions serve as the core inspirations for my designs. I leverage my skills to create designs that foster positive social change. My goal is to contribute to the multicultural landscape by creating visuals that resonate with and support the varied population of this vibrant city.

  • My ancestral legacy is deeply rooted in Michoacan, Mexico, from where my parents, driven by the pursuit of prosperity and resilience, immigrated to San Jose, California. Establishing a new chapter of our family's story, San Jose nurtured my identity, blending Mexican roots with American dreams. It's here, amidst cultural fusion and familial bonds, that I proudly call home.

  • My life revolves around creation. I find joy in experiences, channeling my creativity into both artistic expressions and physical pursuits. Exploring diverse art mediums, ranging from acrylic paints to delving into embroidery and sewing. Nature is my sanctuary, I find fulfillment in doing outdoor activities like running and playing tennis. As well as immersing myself in its depths on forest hikes or reaching the edges of the coast.


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