Maxine & Rafael: iilo project managers delivering impact

As a part of iilo’s “Meet the team” series, please meet Maxine Matishak (she/her) & Rafael Acosta (he/him)!
At iilo, we’re proud that we don’t just deliver communication design solutions; we also deliver positive collaboration experiences. To make this possible, every client gets a dedicated project manager.
These master organizers balance timelines, budgets, and diverse needs on every project, all while being good-humoured cheerleaders keeping the team on track! As the bridge between clients and collaborators, iilo project managers listen carefully to clients, advocate for their needs, facilitate idea generation among team members, and make sure every deliverable from iilo reflects what our clients have asked for.

To show you what’s so special about iilo’s project managers, Maxine and Rafael take you behind-the-scenes.
What does an iilo project manager do?
Rafael: On a high level, we’re typical project managers responsible for successfully delivering projects such as websites, reports, marketing campaigns, and branding. But since iilo is a communication design agency and B Corp, our focus is on helping impact-driven organizations. That means success for us isn’t just about delivering on time and on budget, it also means we help amplify the positive work that our clients are doing. Day-to-day, we facilitate communication and make sure our team’s work is in alignment with what our clients are looking for.
How does having a dedicated project manager help our clients?
Maxine: We act as the main point of contact for our clients so we’re able to streamline communication between them and the project team. It feels like you’re working with just one person but you actually have the support and skills of a whole team. We also identify potential risks early and solve any issues that come up, which helps prevent delays and keep projects on track. By keeping clients informed about the progress and overall status of their project, we’re able to ensure clients are confident and comfortable with our collaboration.
What are some surprising skills or unique experiences that you bring to your project manager role?
Rafael: My background is not necessarily what you would expect for someone working at an agency like iilo. I was previously a project manager for mobile apps and websites, but before that, I started as a developer in the game industry. At the beginning, I almost went down a design path, so I have exposure to the creative and technical sides of things. I find that really helps with understanding the pieces that need to happen for iilo’s creative design work.
Something else I bring is that I’m a first-generation, biracial immigrant, so for me, understanding different perspectives and where people are coming from is second nature because I’ve had to do that my whole life.
Maxine: Professionally, my roles have mainly revolved around graphic design and marketing which I think is an asset to my role at iilo. I’ve also been a part of smaller organizations throughout my career so I’ve had the opportunity to wear many hats and bring that varied experience as well.
Personally, my husband and I have twin toddlers and there are a lot of unexpected transferable skills. It’s important to be organized, have a schedule, keep things on track, have clear communication, and be able to pivot and be agile when things start to go sideways. My kids are the most demanding clients I’ve ever encountered!
What do you think of iilo’s collaboration style?
Maxine: One of my favourite things about iilo is the collaborative way in which we work, both within the team and with our clients. I think this approach makes our process more engaging and it positively impacts the end results. Since iilo is values-based, our clients’ work often aligns with my values, which makes it easy to be passionate about their projects. It’s inspiring to be a part of something where everyone shares a commitment to meaningful work.
What do you think of iilo’s approach to problem solving?
Rafael: The processes and culture that we have in terms of problem solving are fantastic. I think the way we work is clear in the day-to-day and everyone is trying to achieve the same goal. Nobody is trying to succeed at the expense of someone else on the team. Everybody enjoys working with one another. We all try to do the best work we can on our own, but also as an agency, we do things in a healthy and sustainable way.
What’s your favourite thing about being a project manager at iilo?
Rafael: This is pretty simple for me. The biggest thing is seeing how the work we do positively impacts our clients and their goals. Because everybody we work with is impact-driven, seeing that positive effect is really good.
Also for me, there’s an immediacy to the work we do. It’s not always the case elsewhere, like sometimes you do the work and you never hear about it again. Whereas here, you’ll see the effect almost right away.
Maxine: I love the variety of projects and clients at iilo! Being a project manager lets me see every single aspect and not just a single part, which feels really engaging for me. It’s also amazing to work with such a talented and collaborative team where everyone’s aligned and supportive. I think that really shows up in the work we do.
Over all, the environment at iilo is really positive and people are genuinely happy to be a part of the team. I think that energy is contagious and it makes our work even more rewarding and impactful.
Want to let someone else organize your next project?
iilo’s project management team is ready to propel your next communication design project to the finish line. Get in touch with us and we’ll take it from there.