Meet Your Team
CLAUDIA ROSS
PRINCIPAL & CEO
Claudia Castillo Ross is the Founder of Cross Marketing & Design, a public relations marketing & design agency in San Francisco with representation in New York City, Los Angeles and partners in each major market nationwide. She has served as a Marketing & Design Instructor at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, has been invited to speak at UC Berkeley and University of San Francisco's Marketing and Business Schools for her expertise in strategic marketing, and has been published nationwide, Claudia Castillo Ross went on to create Cross Marketing in San Francisco, dedicated to pursuing a cross between marketing and philanthropy. Having served as a volunteer and event chair for nearly 20 years and Board Member and Chairman at Raphael House for over a decade, Ross has dedicated half her life to Raphael House in different capacities. In addition to running Cross Marketing and Design, Ross is active in running a Farmstay Ranch and Winery location in Calistoga, aptly named Ross Ranch with a wine label names Double R Family Wines and is active as vintner, farmer and cowgirl. Having been featured in several publications for her marketing and design skills, talent for representing luxury brands on air, Ross and family were recently featured in Christine Suppes’ 2021 California Elegance, The Final Frontier as a generational wine maker.
Claudia Castillo Ross spends her time between Calistoga, Los Angeles and The Bay Area. She enjoys Ross Ranch life, surfing and spending time with her family and friends.
VICKY MOREL
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Vicky Morel joins the Cross Marketing Group as its first CFO. She comes to Cross with extensive experience in budget and finance, human resources, and public relations. Most recently she acted for 20 years as Director of Business Services and Human Resources in the Chancellor's Immediate Office at the University of California, Berkeley. She has also worked as Sales Executive and has served on the Executive Board for Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills (DSRM), Inc., a major corporation in the steel industry based in Houston, Texas and in San Francisco. In her time at DSRM, Vicky's work took her to the far corners of the Western Hemisphere, including England, Canada, the U.S., Mexico and South America. Vicky has lived in Colombia, Houston, Texas and Northern and Southern California. She is married and has a daughter and two grandchildren. Her interests are cooking, gardening, and spending time with her two young grandsons.
CHARLESTON PIERCE
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Charleston Pierce is a born and raised native of San Francisco, California. He began his career in the entertainment industry in the early 1980’s as a student at the San Francisco School of the Arts. With a background in performing arts including theater and ballet, Charleston was primed and ready when discovered by Larry Hashbarger and signed with Jimmy Grimme’s Modeling Agency. Charleston has maintained a consistent and unmatched presence in the San Francisco entertainment industry over the past 25+ years. Throughout his career as a model/actor he has appeared in national billboards, movies, print ads, fashion shows, and over 30 commercials, including his role as Pepsi Man, across the United States. In 2013, Charleston starred in Cadillac’s nationally broadcast LaFontaine commercial. In 2014, Charleston has already secured work in a commercial for Boston Private and Trust as well as a principal role in the film America Is Still the Place.
Charleston broke through into the fashion producer/choreographer role during his time with Macy’s Passport. In 2005, after 16 seasons of modeling in the famous show, he was appointed model coach and runway trainer. He also was honored with training the member/models of the Junior League of San Francisco for their annual fashion show fundraiser from 2007-2011. Charleston currently teaches his patented “Talent Workshop” in San Francisco weekly for models, actors, and talent spanning the entertainment industry, along with producing and hosting countless events and fashions shows around the Bay Area. With Charleston’s recently published book, Star Walk: Embrace Your Inner Power and Find Success on the Runway of Life, he continues to reach out to a larger audience to spread his knowledge and expertise. Charleston’s goal is to inspire people of all ages with wisdom, talent and compassion.
ALLISON PACATTE
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Born and raised in San Francisco, Allison Pacatte brings her experience in writing, editing, and design to Cross Marketing PR. Growing up in a culturally diverse city, "Alli" developed a deep sense of creativity at a young age, and she continues to foster this each day within and outside of the company. Previously working as a non-fiction editor her senior year of college, Alli discussed and edited over 100 pieces alongside a small team of 3, selecting 6 for publication while working closely with writers from all over the United States. Not only did this greatly rewarding experience generate insight from her mentor and peers, but also ignited, and even reignited many creative interests. She is very excited to bring these passions to Cross and work alongside an inspiring group of ambitious women.
Her enthusiasm and diverse interests in fashion, lifestyle, beauty, entertainment, and writing allows her to work collaboratively and effectively with a large scope of clients. She loves being a part of a company that helps individuals accomplish their goals and grow their businesses. Alli’s sense of success is driven by client satisfaction.
Allison holds a BA in English, Literature from California State University, Chico.
CATE HARTLEY
JUNIOR ASSOCIATE
Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Cate Hartley brings a passion for fashion, marketing, and public relations to Cross. Having a creative eye from the young age of 12, Cate realized her love for art was more than just a hobby. Although she is currently a sophomore at Purdue University, studying Retail Management, Cate will be spending her junior year at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she will study Fashion Business Management. Her energetic and 'can do' attitude allows her to take on tasks from the rigorous to the mundane. She is ecstatic to be working alongside a driven group of women.
IVANA SIMICH
JUNIOR ASSOCIATE
Ivana Simich is a recent graduate who majored in International Business. She has always loved creative writing, beauty, and fashion. Ivana first interned at a real estate agency in the Bay Area, where she developed communication and customer service skills. Her second internship was in Barcelona, Spain, where she worked as a marketing assistant for a local agency. Both internships helped her develop a passion for public relations, where she can work with people, build relationships, and create new content. Ivana is looking forward to starting her career in PR at Cross Marketing, and she is confident that she will make her clients happy.
In her free time, she loves working out, swimming, cooking, baking, and spending time outside. As a huge traveler, she has been introduced to many interesting cultures, and it is her favorite thing to do when she has the opportunity. She has lived part-time in Europe as well, where she has family. Ivana is very excited to be part of the Cross team, where she can learn the necessary skills to be a successful PR professional and grow connections with both her team and clientele.
