Our Team
We are business professionals with specialized expertise in marketing and public relations. Our team shares a fiery passion for the work we do, and we love building relationships with clients whose mission we can truly rally behind.
Launched in June 2008 by Stevens Point native Lisa Cruz, our firm has built a reputation as a smart, innovative company with cutting edge ideas and top-notch talent to bring those ideas to life. Red Shoes employs the best-of-the-best experts in the communications field.
There are a few things that make Red Shoes Inc. stand out as a company. The first is that our company is built on trust, integrity, innovation, authenticity and the willingness to go above and beyond. We also firmly believe that to have a growing, thriving business, we must invest in our employees by providing them with continuous learning opportunities. To help our clients stay ahead, our team must strive to learn the latest and greatest trends and technology.
Lisa Cruz, President
Lisa Cruz has worked in the public relations industry since 1994 and launched Red Shoes Inc. in 2008. Her experience includes working for a variety of industries such as health care, construction, manufacturing, retail, non-profits and more – from both the corporate and the agency side. A graduate of UW-Stevens Point, Lisa began her career in one of the toughest media markets, Southern California.
Lisa provides strategic consulting in a number of areas for clients such as crisis communications, media relations, internal communications, image management and more. During her career she has worked on a variety of communications projects that involve complex legal situations, federal, state and local investigations, high profile events, mergers and acquisitions and HR matters.
Lisa has a passion for serving her community and serves on a number of boards and committees. She also is a guest speaker and presents locally and nationally on topics such as crisis communications.
Maria Nelson, Vice President
Maria Nelson has extensive experience in media relations, crisis communication and internal communication. An employee of Red Shoes Inc. since 2009 and a public relations practitioner for nearly two decades, Maria specializes in strategic communications and excels in complex projects and creating detailed plans with spot-on messaging.
Maria has a passion for crisis communications and is able to anticipate and plan for the multifaceted impact a crisis has on an organization. A graduate from Marquette University, Maria quickly gets to the heart of an issue and provides sound counsel to her clients.
Meagan Hardwick, Agency Director
Meagan Hardwick joined the Red Shoes team in 2015 and has more than 15 years of marketing and communication experience serving an array of industries including higher education, government, financial, transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, non-profits and more.
In her role, Meagan acts as a primary contact for numerous clients providing them with both high-level consulting and leading an internal team that executes client’s integrated marketing and PR needs.
Meagan is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. She has served the community in many board and committee roles for organizations such as LEAVEN, Peaceful Purpose, Fox Valley Technical College, Christian Cooperative Preschool, Women’s Fund of the Fox Valley Region and Project SEARCH.
Danielle Léon, Account Executive
Danielle Léon joined Red Shoes Inc. in February 2016. In her role, Danielle leads and provides support to the client teams including conducting research, writing and editing. Prior to joining Red Shoes, she worked at Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee as an airport marketing intern, where she managed its social media accounts and provided support to the airport director.
Danielle is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis in public relations.
Raquel Lamal, Media Specialist
Raquel Lamal joined Red Shoes Inc. in May 2017. Raquel is a former TV reporter and anchor and boasts both an Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow award.
In her role, she supports client teams through managing media relations efforts and video production. Raquel also hosts Red Shoes’ popular podcast, Sole Source.
Raquel is a 2013 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, where she majored in communication with an emphasis in electronic media.
Cathy Hendricks, Business Development Manager
Cathy Hendricks joined Red Shoes in 2020 to serve as the primary strategist for acquiring new business opportunities and focuses on client relationships. She brings 19 years of experience in sales and marketing, business development, employee relations and human resources for the manufacturing and architectural industries. Hendricks holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Lakeland University in Sheboygan, Wis., as well as an associate degree in marketing and communications from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay.
Tracy Doering, Assistant Account Executive
Tracy Doering joined the Red Shoes team in 2020. She brings extensive social media expertise from eight years of experience managing consumer care on social media for a Fortune 50 consumer packaged goods client.
Tracy also spent a few years working in television news as a producer. In her role at Red Shoes she manages client social media efforts and supports other marketing initiatives.
Gina Roberts, Marketing Assistant
Gina Roberts joined Red Shoes Inc. in 2021. In her role as marketing assistant, Gina supports client teams in new business developments, content creation administrative duties and a number of other activities relating to health equity and community-led health events.
Gina brings nearly two decades of customer service experience, seven years of social media experience and more than five years of experience in the marketing field to the Red Shoes team. She has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Katie Thao, Account Coordinator
Katie Thao joined the Red Shoes team in 2021. In her role as account coordinator, Thao supports client teams through writing, editing, managing social media efforts and conducting research to strengthen marketing initiatives. She has more than five years of social media strategic experience and helps to execute content calendars and social media content needs. Thao has a bachelor’s degree in history and psychology from University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.