Cheers to you, Innovators!
The secret to success is doing something great and then telling people about it. You’re doing incredible work, so let us help tell the story.
Great Science Needs Great Storytelling
Awareness
Inspiration
Community
Services Include
Digital Marketing, Websites, SEO, Social Media Management, Brand Identity, Graphic Design, Content Marketing, Email, Digital & Traditional Advertising, PR/PA, Video & Photography.
NOT IN LIFE SCIENCES?
We work with passionate people in these other industries as well:
Architecture, Engineering & Construction
Nonprofits and Mission-Driven Organizations
Recruitment & Workforce Marketing
Hello!
We’re around here… somewhere. When you see us, say hi!
JOHN HIMICS
John Himics is the president and co-founder of First Ascent, a full-service digital agency specializing in branding, web design and development, graphic design, and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience leading cross-disciplinary teams, John brings a rare mix of engineering precision, business strategy, and creative problem-solving to every project.
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LAYNA SCARANE
Layna Scarane is the secret ingredient behind smooth partnerships and building new relationships, specializing in Partnerships & Growth. She has experience across freelance and corporate environments, supporting growing brands and leading teams through complex initiatives. Known for her strong communication skills and intuitive understanding of people, Layna brings organization, clarity, and energy to collaborative work, helping teams stay aligned, clients feel supported, and ideas come to life.
ANNA PRICE
Anna Price is a University of Delaware graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and a minor in Integrated Design. Her interdisciplinary background makes her a well-rounded Project Coordinator with a strong focus on efficiency, organization, and cross-functional collaboration. She excels in managing both internal teams and external clients, ensuring projects are delivered seamlessly, thoughtfully, and goes beyond expectations.
NICOLE HALLBERG
Nicole Hallberg is a seasoned writer, blogger, and digital marketing expert with more than 14 years of experience helping brands tell their stories, write great copy, and drive measurable results. As Digital Marketing Manager at First Ascent Design, Nicole leads the marketing team with a balance of creativity, strategic clarity, and an unwavering focus on audience connection.
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GAVIN DAVIE
At First Ascent, Gavin keeps the gears turning behind the scenes, ensuring structure, clarity, and momentum across every project. A Wilmington advertising veteran since 2013, he brings extensive experience leading digital teams for Fortune 50 companies and managing high-profile accounts. He excels at aligning teams, strengthening communication, and delivering seamless execution from start to finish.
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HANNAH BOLES
Hannah Boles is a digital advertising specialist and visual storyteller with a background in photography and videography. With agency experience and a foundation in performance marketing, she creates content that blends strong visual storytelling with measurable results. At First Ascent, she has helped build and expand the videography division, integrating video into broader digital marketing strategies across channels. She works at the intersection of creative and data, combining paid media, content production, and analytics to deliver impactful brand storytelling.
BRANDON CAMPBELL
Brandon earned a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Production with a concentration in Cinema from the University of Central Missouri, where he received an Honorable Mention from the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association College Media Competition for his cinematography work on The Dark Room. At First Ascent, he brings together creativity and technical precision as a videographer, producer, and editor, managing the full production process from concept to final cut to deliver polished, impactful content across a range of projects.
The first cup was on us, the next one is too.
Reach out and let’s chat.
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