About Us

“A first ascent is the first time a climbing route is successfully executed. It entails genuine exploration, with greater risks, challenges, and recognition than climbing a route pioneered by others.”

BACK IN 2015, WE DECIDED IT WAS TIME FOR OUR FIRST ASCENT.

For the past seven years, we’ve delivered full-service capabilities and data-driven strategy for our clients. Through collaboration, supportive communication, reliability, and a thorough understanding of each organization’s needs, we’ve built strong relationships with businesses and nonprofits and supported them in continuing to do great work. First Ascent believes in creative problem-solving, hard work, partnership, and marketing intelligence.

We specialize in branding and identity, website design and development, and digital marketing. We never use a one-size-fits-all approach with our clients. Instead, through extensive research, we focus on finding the right solution and strategy for your unique needs. We develop a research-based strategy, and our expert team executes that plan.

We create the best possible results for our clients—whether we’re designing websites for million-dollar companies, managing digital marketing campaigns for industry experts, or driving awareness and engagement for nonprofits.

Our Clients

Our Awards

Meet Our Team of Marketing Experts

First Ascent is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, but is composed of people across the world who produce high quality work for our clients. We come with unique personalities and special talents, but in the end, we’re all invested in the climb. Meet our team leaders!

John Himics

Partner

Starting his career as an engineer at DuPont, John brings a data-focused view to optimizing digital marketing and business processes. John aims to build repeatable, efficient systems around technology and digital marketing. John is also an Adjunct Professor at University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship, a member of Delaware Technical College’s Business Advisory Board, and a Rotarian at Caesar Rodney Rotary.

Pauline Himics

Lead Project Manager

A graduate of Pratt Institute’s prestigious B.F.A. in Communications Design program and University of Delaware’s M.A. in Strategic Communications program, Pauline has over ten years of professional design and marketing experience. Named Technologist of the Year at the Delaware Innovation Awards, she is a results-oriented communications professional with a diverse set of skills, strong attention to detail, and extensive knowledge of today’s ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.

Paige Lippmann

Account Executive

As a graduate from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Social Entrepreneurship, Paige has planted the seeds of her career at the crossroads of her various passions, which include organization, marketing, and design. When she’s not coordinating projects with First Ascent, Paige is curled up with her tabby cat Jasper, traveling the East Coast, or browsing thrift stores for funky outfits and decor.

Nick DiNunzio

Account Executive

Nick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cinematic Arts from the University of Iowa. Bringing together experience in digital marketing, as well as a working history in pre-production on multiple short films, he works full time for First Ascent’s Project Management team. When he’s not coordinating projects, Nick is usually at home watching movies, writing spec scripts, or spending time with his friends and family.

John Connors

Account Executive

John is an Account Executive at First Ascent, leveraging his expertise in fostering client relationships and crafting customized marketing strategies. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Management from Penn State, he brings a blend of strategic insight and technical acumen to his role. Outside of the office, John is an avid enthusiast of live music, enjoys his men’s league soccer matches, and immerses himself in the latest mystery books.

Brigette Parcia

Project Assistant

Brigette has a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and is working on her Master’s degree in Linguistics. She has taught Speech and Oral Communications subjects at the university level. She assists in First Ascent’s daily operations and provides support to all team members by handling a variety of tasks in order to ensure that all interactions are positive and productive. She manages databases, organizes files, and develops presentations, reports, and documents.

Sean Clendening

Lead Developer

Tying together equal parts design and code, Sean brings visual elements alive on the web. Since beginning his journey as a freelance developer, he’s done remote work for agencies, consulted for startups, and collaborated with people to create digital products for both business and consumer use. Sean brings a variety of tools and experience to the table where he is committed to producing efficient and beautiful user experiences. When Sean is away from his laptop, he is heavily involved in the percussion community where he is a designer and educator for high ranking high school percussion programs across the East Coast.

Nicole Hallberg

Digital Marketing Manager

Nicole is a digital marketing professional with years of experience specializing in content- and inbound-marketing, alongside blogging and social media. She brings a business background and perspective to marketing problem solving, having previously built and run a Philadelphia-based content marketing agency before joining First Ascent. When not writing witty copy, she can be found caring for her (numerous) foster cats.

Kelli Reardon

Lead Graphic Designer

As a graduate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Kelli focuses on design first and foremost. With skills in developing visual identities, web design, print, and other disciplines, her goal is to use these skills to help others best achieve their visions. She brings experience ensuring consistency within brand guidelines to researching and proposing new directions to help groups look their absolute best. Beyond just commercial art, Kelli enjoys visiting art exhibits and museums when she gets the chance.

Bruna Viana

Design & Marketing Specialist

After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Bruna pursued an Associate’s degree in Fine Art from Salem Community College. Bruna joined the First Ascent team as a graphic design intern in the summer of 2021 and now works full-time assisting both the design and marketing teams. When Bruna is not making art, she is most likely getting caffeinated or desperately trying to keep her plants alive.

Jenny Ragolia

Content Creator

Jenny Leazer-Ragolia is a writer and content creator with extensive experience in copywriting, blogging, journalism, business management, and social media marketing. Combining her entrepreneurial background with a love of storytelling, she is passionate about helping brands find their voice and connect with their target audience through creative content. In between writing stints, you’ll find Jenny wandering around taking photos, reading good books, and exploring the East Coast.

Mark Nichols

Digital Marketing Specialist

Mark brings a strong passion for innovation and a collaborative mindset to the table. With a strong background in digital marketing and a proven track record of driving successful paid and organic social media campaigns for organization like the Philadelphia Inquirer, and has developed and executed comprehensive paid media strategies across various platforms including Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, and more. Mark is a proud Blue Hen, with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware.