ABOUT US
Born in June is a creative studio that helps brands, cultural innovators, and organizations translate their vision into compelling narratives and communicate it with precision. We combine strategy and creative direction to produce work that resonates publicly and carries cultural weight.
Our work is focused, intentional, and designed for moments where visibility and credibility matter.
HOW WE SCALE
Born in June was founded in part to change who gets to do this work. The studio maintains a curated roster of videographers, photographers, editors, animators, and production talent drawn deliberately from the creative community in Los Angeles and beyond, people who are already embedded in the communities the work is meant to reach. Every collaborator is vetted for skill, cultural fluency, and alignment with the work. Who we bring in has always been as deliberate as what we make.
If you want to be considered for our roster, drop us a line.
THE TEAM
Betsy Aimee Cardenas, CEO
Betsy Aimee Cardenas is the founder of Born in June Creative Studio, a Los Angeles-based creative agency that shapes strategy and narrative for brands, cultural innovators, and mission-driven organizations. Born in June builds campaign architecture, brand systems, issue and campaign ads, video, motion graphics, and short-form content for foundations, nonprofits, civic organizations, and cultural leaders, and advises executives and organizational leaders on communications strategy and narrative positioning.
A first-generation American and lifelong Angeleno, Betsy began her career as a community organizer in East Los Angeles. She spent nearly a decade as an advocate for women and girls through roles in the California State Legislature, Planned Parenthood, and grassroots community-based organizations, building campaigns for progressive causes and candidates at the local, state, and federal levels, developing voter mobilization training, and advising organizers working on today’s most critical issues. She brings a particular focus on investing in the creator economy as a force for combating misinformation.
Her writing on culture and politics has appeared in Forbes, Marie Claire, Vox, The Independent, and U.S. News & World Report. She served as senior producer and associate producer on two narrative podcasts for iHeartMedia exploring the immigrant experience, including a Webby-nominated season.
Joshua Sandoval, Creative Dir.
Joshua Sandoval is an award-winning artist, art director, illustrator, and branding professional. As the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Born In June Creative Studio, he is dedicated to using exceptional visuals to increase the social impact of brands. His extensive design and art direction portfolio includes cutting-edge brands such as Adidas, Disney, and Lionsgate, and his work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times.
With a superb understanding of advertising, visual communication, and design, Joshua‘s sense of aesthetics and creativity is unparalleled. Joshua‘s background in start-ups and e-commerce brings a fast-paced and dynamic energy to every project he works on. He is a skilled relationship builder who takes pride in developing compelling stories that positively impact brands while cementing a legacy of entrepreneurship.
His expertise includes illustration, creative software, e-commerce, art direction, and social media strategy. His art, which he shares with his online community, is at the intersection of pop culture and activism. He is fascinated by how technology is shaping how we interact with brands and with each other.
Ani Kelemdjian, Managing Dir.
Ani Kelemdjian is a campaign strategist and operations leader with over 10 years of experience in Democratic and progressive electoral politics and the nonprofit sector. Starting on President Obama's reelection campaign, she has since worked with Democratic organizations at every level — from the DCCC and state parties, including the California Democratic Party, senate and congressional campaigns, to county parties nationwide with a particular focus in California and battleground states. She has also partnered with leading c3 and c4 advocacy organizations, including Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the League of Conservation Voters, When We All Vote, and America Votes. Throughout, her work has centered on partner management, voter engagement, relational organizing, and independent expenditure campaigns, always with an eye toward measurable voter impact.
As Born In June's Managing Director, Ani helps oversee the agency's strategic vision and operations, supports seamless client project management, and keeps our work running smoothly. She is passionate about social justice and the experiences of first-generation Americans — a lens she brings to everything she does.
Andrea González, Graphic Designer
Andrea González is a highly-skilled designer with a B.A. in graphic design and a Master's Degree in editorial design and digital publishing. She specializes in graphic design, marketing campaign design, and bilingual design. Passionate about creating relevant work that aligns with a brand’s visual identity and vioce. Highly organized and willing to contribute her knowledge to find the perfect solution to every challenge.
As a professional designer, she brings more than 6 years of experience and expertise, with a particular focus on crafting versatile content, eye-catching marketing campaigns, and designs. With a passion for creating impactful visuals that truly capture a brand's essence.
COLLABORATORS
California Community Foundation
Community Partners
Los Angeles Times
Center for Nonprofit Management
The Angeleno Project
Department of Angels
City of Santa Monica
Self Help Graphics
No Going Back LA
Fairplex
LA County Fair
Millard Sheets Art Center
Levitt Pavillion
Green Together Collaborative
California Creative Corps.
Sakul Creative
Star Insights
Adidas
Disney
Guelaguetza Restaurant
Lil' Libros
Communities In Schools of Los Angeles (CISLA)
Mount Saint Mary's University