Alicia Shepherd Named Vice President of Strategy & Content and Alexa Rafael Promoted to Art Director, Each Following Eight Years With the Agency
At Rizco, employee longevity is more than a measure of time. It signals a commitment to delivering consistent quality for their clients and a culture that supports professional growth. This year, two Rizco team members, Alicia Shepherd and Alexa Rafael, celebrated their eighth anniversary with the agency, along with important career milestones as they stepped into new roles. Shepherd, previously Director of Strategy & Content, was named Vice President of Strategy & Content, and Alexa Rafael, previously Senior Designer, has been promoted to Art Director.
Since joining Rizco in 2018, both Shepherd and Rafael have made meaningful contributions to the agency’s client work, team development, and strategic/creative processes. Their promotions reflect both their individual contributions and Rizco’s belief in investing in people for the long term.
Over the years, Shepherd has helped strengthen Rizco’s approach to brand strategy, storytelling, content development, and integrated marketing, bringing more than 25 years of experience across communications planning, digital marketing, sales, visual merchandising, and customer experience. She partners with organizations to build stronger, more valuable brands by aligning business goals with clear positioning and unified marketing strategies. Internally, she also founded Rizco’s MOVEment program (Mindfulness, Opportunity, Vibrancy, and Encouragement) to support the team’s physical, mental, and professional well-being. She will continue to lead strategy, brand development, and content while helping evolve Rizco’s strategic capabilities and thoughtful integration of AI.
During Rafael’s time at Rizco, she has helped transform business challenges into compelling visual experiences through brand launches, identity evolutions, integrated marketing campaigns, and digital experiences designed to support growth. A 2022 recipient of the New Jersey Ad Club’s Jersey’s Best Top Marketing and Communications Professionals under 40, she has become a key creative partner to both clients and colleagues. In her new role, Rafael will help lead Rizco’s design team, strengthen creative standards, mentor designers, and guide visual direction across client and agency work.
“Eight years with one company is increasingly rare today, and that kind of commitment means a great deal to us,” said Debra Rizzi, President and Co-Founder of Rizco.
“Alicia and Alexa haven’t simply grown with Rizco. They have helped shape who we are today. Their influence can be seen across our evolution in strategy, content, and design, and in the culture we’ve built together. We believe the best companies are built by people who are given the opportunity to grow, lead, and leave their mark. Their promotions recognize not only what they have accomplished, but the role they will continue to play in where Rizco goes next.”
Both leaders bring experience that extends beyond their roles at Rizco. Shepherd began her career at Grey Global Group and Starcom Worldwide in New York City after earning her Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Minor in Communications from Lehigh University. Rafael earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications from the University of Delaware before beginning her career at BOLD Worldwide in New York City. Outside of the agency, both remain active in their communities, with Shepherd serving on the New Jersey Ad Club’s 2026 Jersey Awards Committee and Rafael supporting Love One International as an Ambassador.
For Rizco, these promotions represent more than new titles. They demonstrate what can happen when people are given the opportunity to build expertise, take on greater responsibility, and shape the company they grow with.
“Being part of the Rizco team, from day one, has been filled with opportunity—opportunities for learning, creativity, collaboration, and leadership—within a culture that encourages each of us to evolve in our role and grow alongside the company,” said Shepherd.
“As Vice President of Strategy & Content, I am grateful for this new opportunity to expand the impact of my brand-led experience. With brand at the core of what we do, together we build brands for our clients, strengthen Rizco’s own brand and culture, and ensure every strategy, story, and experience reflects the brands we champion and the value we create.”
Rafael commented, “I am incredibly grateful and honored for the opportunity to step into the role of Art Director at Rizco. “The past eight years have been filled with incredible learning, growth, and the privilege of working alongside a team that truly feels like family. Throughout my journey at Rizco, the leadership team has championed my growth—encouraging my voice, creativity, and leadership to flourish. I look forward to continuing to shape brands that create meaningful visual and strategic impact for our clients.”
Rizco’s investment in employee development is rooted in the belief that strong brands are built by people who understand the business, the work, and the relationships behind them. Shepherd and Rafael’s eight-year journeys, and their continued growth into leadership, reflect that belief in action.
