Meet the Tendo Team
Karla Spormann
Karla Spormann
CEO & Founder
Karla is a passionate business leader and former media executive who believes that content and storytelling are the heartbeat of any successful web experience. As founder of Tendo, Karla has championed audience-first digital content marketing and thought-leadership programs—for clients including Apple, HP, and Cisco—before content marketing even had a name.
Karla guides Tendo through its ongoing evolution as a top agency that delivers B2B content experience services to global, world-class brands. One of her superpowers is recognizing and bringing together top talent. She takes pride in the dedication, creativity, and collective smarts of the Tendo team—whose work continues to build Tendo’s reputation for excellence in all things content strategy and marketing.
Outside work, this Kellogg MBA and entrepreneur is also a proud MSU Spartan, dog lover (particularly Portuguese water dogs), and a NCAA March Madness fanatic.
Fun facts:
- Media business geek
- Lover of architecture and design
Lindy Roux
Lindy Roux
EVP/Partner
Lindy is an agency executive with a passion and knack for translating complex user insights and business goals into engaging digital experiences. As a deeply hands-on leader she focuses on delivering leading edge strategic thinking, providing exceptional client partnership, and raising everyone’s game at Tendo.
Lindy is a recognized industry thought leader who writes and speaks regularly on content and digital experience topics, and she’s pioneered innovations like Tendo’s content scorecard. She has led content strategy teams across various agencies and industries, including tech, financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, and nonprofit.
Fun facts:
- Worked as an economist before becoming a content strategist
- Is an avid rower, hiker, and world explorer
- Still cuts the crusts off her sandwiches!
Zach Edling
Zach Edling
VP, Account Services
Zach is an indispensable leader at Tendo, where he plays a vital role in helping clients reach their marketing goals. Zach excels at building client relationships and serving as their advocate and counselor; he’s a problem solver that takes his work seriously yet always keeps the mood lighthearted. After a brief stint as a journalist in South America, the Cal Poly grad brought his editorial skills to Tendo in 2013, where his evolution from content to account services provides him unique insight into every project.
Outside work, Zach cherishes his family and tirelessly roots for his Boston sports teams.
Fun facts:
- Former amateur boxer
- Komodo dragon enthusiast
- Great memory for useless trivia
Simon Mathews
Simon Mathews
VP, User Experience
Simon draws on more than 20 years of strategic consultancy experience in communications, advertising, and digital agencies around the globe. He is a champion of user-centered design, with a passion for seeking out and applying the latest digital design technologies and innovative strategies.
Simon excels at leading multidisciplinary teams of business strategists, interaction designers, content strategists and visual designers. He has served a diverse range of clients, including AIG, Dell, Ecolab, Emirates Airlines, and IBM.
Fun facts:
- Frequent speaker at conferences and symposiums
- Made his way through 56 countries and counting
- Loves to take his kiteboard for a spin in a windy destination
Ernie Chan
Ernie Chan
VP, Account Services
Ernie has devoted the past 20-plus years to helping global companies deliver outstanding and engaging digital experiences to their customers. A long-time digital enthusiast, he brings to the table a wealth of experience in user-centered design, data analytics, client relationship management, and marketing and business strategy.
Ernie leads complex engagements and delivers creative solutions to clients that run the gamut of industries, from Autodesk and Ecolab to Coca-Cola, Visa, and the Walt Disney Company.
Fun facts:
- Has an abiding, quixotic love of Cal sports (Go Bears!)
- Loves to rack up mileage and loyalty points
- Proud owner of the complete line of Costco/Kirkland leisurewear
Lisa Park
Lisa Park
Content Strategy Lead
Fun facts:
- Ideal vacation: Touring the countryside on bikes
- Cooked for top chefs in SF and NY
- Played violin solo and in orchestras for 15 years
Christine Elbo
Christine Elbo
User Experience Lead
Fun facts:
- Named first dog Timber (middle name Lake) after that guy from *NSYNC
- Favorite club to hit up on the weekend is Costco
- Once won a dance contest at a taping of Let’s Make a Deal
Amanda Haxton
Amanda Haxton
Account Director
Fun facts:
- Adventurous traveler and street food daredevil
- Native Kiwi
- Obsessive Harry Potter fan
Kourtney Kovanis
Kourtney Kovanis
Director, Content
Fun facts:
- 5th generation twin
- Played shortstop on her high school softball team
- Loves hearing clients get nerdy about complex tech
Don Knapp
Don Knapp
Director of Content Marketing
Fun facts:
- Happiest exploring local trails on his mountain bike
- Proud fact checker and local history nerd
- Passionate about sustainability and climatetech
Edgar Pardo
Edgar Pardo
Associate Creative Director
Fun facts:
- Has way too many power tools
- Loves to cook
- May have tried every single cheesecake flavor at the Cheesecake Factory
Elizabeth Smith Fong
Elizabeth Smith Fong
Senior Content Strategist
Fun facts:
- Former kids’ book editor
- Spent two years teaching English in Japan
- Karaoke jam: Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way”
Dee Barrett
Dee Barrett
Administration Manager
Fun facts:
- Used to live in Australia
- Jumped out a plane and nailed the landing
- Huge Golden Girls fan
Kelly Sykes
Kelly Sykes
Account Manager
Fun facts:
- Unofficial cornhole champion
- Been chased out of Costa Rica by an active volcano
- Spent years in Napa if you need a food, winery, or activity guide!
Casie Danielson
Casie Danielson
Content Program Manager
Fun facts:
- Loves to laugh and embrace the ridiculous in life
- Likes to solo travel to places like Spain
- Teal is by far the best color ever
Ariana Vazquez
Ariana Vazquez
Editor/Content Strategist
Fun facts:
- Favorite animal: Otters
- Truly believes in the existence of telepathy
- Minored in theater in college
Jennifer Anderson
Jennifer Anderson
Content Analyst
Fun facts:
- Former choreographer and competitive dancer
- Happiest when watching musicals and reality TV
- Lifelong cat lover and breakfast enthusiast
Edie Frederick
Edie Frederick
Content Specialist
Fun facts:
- Favorite place is Tahoe in the summer
- Has lived in London and New Orleans
- Is happiest when a cat is around