What clients say about The Shimoda Group:

Risa was very helpful to National River Cleanup Week in obtaining and helping manage the event’s sponsorships. She was always professional and was successful in attracting several sponsors, then following up with them to ensure our agreements were fulfilled. Our organization was staffed by volunteers so we needed someone to assist with these important sponsor relationships, and Risa fit the bill.

~ David Brown, former Chairman of the Board, National River Cleanup Week

Risa has been a key player as we have launched and grown one of the most successful new paddlesports industry brands, Native Watercraft. She has also helped us maintain focus and consistency for our boat and accessory brands as we have grown.

~ Andy Zimmerman, President and CEO, Legacy Paddlesports

Risa’s contacts and personal relationships in the world of whitewater are without equal. Through these, she has helped our group expand our market and increase consumers’ awareness of our services and strengths. She has honed and clarified our outreach strategy, strengthened our message and gone the extra mile to get our name out there when engaged in her many other river-related activities and events.

~ John Anderson, Whitewater Course Designer, McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group

The Shimoda Group’s involvement in our campaign resulted in an immediate and measurable improvement in our corporate relationships. Through the Group’s efforts, American Rivers is now well positioned to advance to the next level of developing strategic industry partnerships.

~ Quinn McKew, Wild Rivers Campaign Director, American Rivers

I would like to say ‘thank you’ to Risa Shimoda for her help developing and organizing the 2006 World Cup Freestyle Kayaking Championship sponsorships and corporate partnerships, graphic design and event identify. With a mature approach to marketing and the media, Risa was able to assist us in securing magazine, television, and athlete awareness on an international scale. The success of the 2006 World Cup event was possible through the efforts of The Shimoda Group, and I would highly recommend her for consideration in today’s highly competitive world of sales, outreach efforts and marketing.

~ Tom O’Riley, President, Blackwater Development Company

Risa approached the organization of a Washington, DC tribute to Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor with an impressive capacity to organize Stanford University executive staff and local alumni, as well as Justice O’Connor’s colleagues and personal friends. From the video that included interviews and images from her fellow Trustees, college roommate and former law clerks to the remarks offered by fellow Justice Anthony Kennedy, former and current presidents of the University, her local alumni team supported by Stanford Alumni Association and Stanford Law School staffers managed the moving parts with aplomb. Nine hundred Reagan Center guests attended with smiles and departed with appreciation for her event production skills.

~ Howard Wolf, President, Stanford Alumni Association

Risa’s position as Executive Director of the River Management Society requires commitment, collaboration, communication and a hefty dose of cheerleading. Running a small nonprofit organization is not for the faint of heart, and I applaud Risa for her successes in leading RMS over the past seven years. She juggles event planning, grant writing, project management and more!

~ Caroline Kurz, RMS Journal Editor and former RMS Program Director

Under The Shimoda Group’s leadership, our organization weathered economic uncertainty and political upheaval. Using her knowledge of all aspects of river management, amazing interpersonal skills, leadership and organizational abilities, Risa has brought about substantive positive change as our part-time Executive Director. She has guided the River Management Society to a more secure financial future by replacing undependable sources of general funding with fees for services for work strategically aligned with partners, members and early career professionals. Risa has initiated, led and completed several major projects including a major effort to develop safety signage for an interagency river project in Colorado that can serve as a national model of communication with those most at risk, young men who see themselves as invincible. She has also secured funding, partners, data, staff for the www.NationalRiversProject.com, an ambitious and innovative resource for individuals shopping for diverse river experiences. For these and other projects, her vision has come to fruition with excellent products. Through Risa’s guidance and leadership, River Management Society remains focused on our mission, expanding our services to meet the needs of those who study, protect and manage North America’s Rivers.

~ Helen Clough, President River Management Society