Our multidisciplinary team of creators, operators, and founders approach your organizational needs from various professions and trades ranging from program development, operations and logistics, fundraising, and media production.
However, we share one commonality: our visible connections to community and public service. Many of us work at the intersections of government, public policy, and business in roles focused on economic competitiveness, communication, racial equity and justice, policymaking, and storytelling. In fact, that is how we all met – in community spaces. We recognized and developed each other’s strengths and formed a team to support other creators, operators, and founders in growing their business.
Dr. Angelica (Gel) Cortez
Managing Director
Dr. Cortez is a cultural worker, social entrepreneur, and business consultant. She currently manages Fancy World Official and is the mind behind numerous grassroots brands, including LEAD Filipino, Capital C Labs, and Las Filiprimas. Starting her career in politics, she has worked for business trade associations, public policy organizations, and legislators in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles. These experiences influenced her to create culturally responsive programs that promoted the ideals of civic literacy, entrepreneurship, and social impact. With over a decade working in fund and organizational development roles, public policy, and managing investor relations campaigns, Dr. Cortez established Fancy World Consulting to help other founders and entrepreneurs grow their business(es). Her work has been honored by the Silicon Valley Business Journal, NBC Bay Area, and Asian American Recovery Services. She holds her doctorate from the University of Southern California.
Vanessa (V) Grijalva
Project Manager
As a San Jose native and a proud Latina, V brings 15+ years of experience in public policy, DEI, programs, and organizational development. Having earned degrees in Human Resource Management as well as Business Management, she is passionate about helping others succeed. As a child of a single-family household, V was deeply affected by the disparities that BIPOC communities face and made it her personal mission to get involved. Dedicated to service, she volunteers for the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley and serves on its board of directors. At Stryker Endoscopy, V supports three Global Vice Presidents and serves as their Community Engagement Lead. Seeing herself as a convener, she hopes to share resources and contacts gained along the way.
Fancy World 