Ia Balbuena

Ia was born and raised in Ashland, a small town in Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley. She earned a degree in Advertising from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, with a focus in Women & Gender Studies. After graduating, she relocated to New York City, where she began her career as an art director at an advertising agency. While the work was creatively engaging, Ia discovered a deeper interest in roles that emphasized human connection and experiential design. This led her to transition into office management and event planning — areas where she finds meaningful work in supporting others and helping to create thoughtful, memorable experiences.