Founder/Principal

Alison K. Mason

Alison Knowlton Mason wants to live in a world where all kids get a great education, where engaging stories are told, where laughter is abundant, and where people pay attention to each other. She joined Teach For America as a teacher in Atlanta after graduating from DePauw University and subsequently taught for four years. After leaving the classroom, she studied Graphic Design at the Atlanta campus of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and worked for three years as a graphic designer at Horizon Theatre Company. She joined full-time staff of Teach For America in 2010 and worked there for nine years across many teams, including internal communications and the Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami summer teacher training institutes. She founded Lilacs on York Creative Studios in 2010 as a side project focusing solely on graphic design. In the 10+ years since then, she’s grown in both scope and capacity to become a boutique communication strategy and design agency. Outside of work, look for her searching for steals at thrift stores, being creative (most recently behind a potter’s wheel covered in clay) and traveling with her husband.

Executive Assistant/Project Manager

Kayla Byrd

Kayla was born and raised in Texas and currently resides in the Hill Country. Passionate about serving her community, she volunteers her time to mentoring young adults and coaching youth sports. She graduated from The University of Texas with a B.S. in Business Management and a minor in Human Resources Development. Currently, she serves as a Project Manager for Lilacs on Yorks Creative Studios. In her free time, you will find her researching a “how to” video, tending to her chickens and garden and enjoying life with her husband and three children.

Graphic/Web Designer & Developer

Leah Busey

Leah Busey is a champion for feeding minds often and early and believes that with great opportunities and education, anything is possible. As a graphic/web designer for Lilacs on York Creative Studios—a communication strategy & design firm—she can see firsthand the positive impact that equity-focused organizations can have on their communities. In her free time, she is usually creating artwork, recharging in nature, or watching the latest thriller with her husband.

Graphic Designer

Abbie Cates

Abbie is an experienced graphic designer and illustrator. She specializes in working with small businesses who are looking to expand their reach through creative design solutions. With 7+ years of experience in the design industry, Abbie brings a passion for branding and logo design with a healthy infusion of illustrated elements that help brands stand out from the crowd. Her work lives at the intersection of fun and functional, balancing sensible and intentional design with vibrant characteristics. When she’s not at work, you can find Abbie spending time with her dog, reading a good book, and enjoying a strong cup of coffee.

Writer/Content Strategist

Cynthia Gomez

Cynthia Gomez is a writer, editor, designer, and project manager with more than 20 years of experience in all facets of publishing and content development. She began her career as a daily newspaper journalist, covering education and social justice issues, but spent the bulk of her career in niche publishing, creating educational support materials via subscription publications, books, and websites. More recently, she has worked for a tech startup scripting computer-mediated conversations (somewhere between a chatbot and artificial intelligence) and for a digital marketing agency as content manager. She has also consulted extensively, creating online college courses, providing web design and marketing support, and editing everything from cookbooks to novels for corporate and individual clients. A storyteller at heart, she has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s degree in digital journalism and design.

Graphic Designer

Shezna (Shay) Love

Hawaii born and Chicago raised, Shay is a graphic artist working to make the world a more beautiful place. She studied Graphic Design at The Illinois Institute of Art in 2013 and since then has worked in both the corporate and entrepreneurial world. As an artist, she enjoys finding solutions through design, connecting with people through creativity and visual expression. Shay is an INFJ-A, Hufflepuff with a soft spot for calming esthetics and making people happy.

Graphic Designer/Content Strategist

Amy Weber

Amy is dedicated communications professional with a passion for effective design. She seeks to create communications that are both enjoyable to consume and clearly understandable. Her work explores new creative possibilities and solutions so that audiences come away with memorable experiences. She believes in the transformative power of thoughtfully written copy and quality design to clarify communications, elevate experiences, and engage and inspire both inside and outside of organizations. When not online, she enjoys hiking, skiing, and kayaking.

Graphic Designer

Donovan Mansinon-Salazar

Donovan is a dog dad of two from San Diego, and a jack of all trades creative. He completed his student portfolio at SD City College, where he won SD AIGA Best Cross Cultural portfolio in 2014. His design experience ranges from local print shops, traveling trade shows, and digital performance advertising – but shifted his focus to more impactful work. To spread awareness in the workplace, he was a founding member of two DEI committees in separate growing organizations.

Using his creative powers for good, he strives to support underserved communities through understanding culture, thoughtful design, and connecting with people through ever evolving touchpoints.

When he’s not pushing pixels, he’s probably out camping with his partner and pups, or playing Tahitian drums and ukulele for his sister’s Polynesian dance group.