Staff

Marc now serves as the Executive Director of Project Blue. An organization dedicated to creating safer communities by strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the community through youth programming. Project Blue’s mission is to also convene partners & resources together that focuses on closing the equity gap in inner city communities. With this focus, Project Blue hopes are to create new access and opportunities for young people to thrive and build a sense of hope within themselves & their respective communities. Marc has a strong passion for what he does and is committed to helping not only the youth but people all over. Marc is also the Co-Founder of 4wrdProgress Youth Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching & developing life skills in young people through sports.

B/S Kinesiology CSUDH 2006
M/A Education Mt. St. Mary’s College 2012
Teaching Credentials Mt. St. Mary’s College 2012

Ariel Granat is the Executive Director of Project Blue, a national umbrella nonprofit dedicated to building trust, safety, and opportunity in inner-city communities through transformative youth programs and police-community partnerships. With nearly a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and social impact storytelling, Ariel has led organizations through major growth, restructuring, and national expansion.

Before joining Project Blue, Ariel served as Director of Fund Development and Communications for the East LA Community Corporation (ELACC) — the largest and oldest affordable housing nonprofit in East Los Angeles — where she raised millions in grants and spearheaded high-impact fundraising and communications strategies. Prior to ELACC, Ariel co-founded the RSO Foundation, a national animal welfare foundation supporting rescues and advocacy efforts across the country.

Ariel’s career began at the United Nations, where she developed trauma-informed care models for refugee populations and trained agencies such as UNICEF and UNHCR in social impact communication. She also helped lead World Information Transfer, an NGO in consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Brand marketing, content, and digital media expert with nearly two decades of experience leading teams in brand marketing, content strategy, and media innovation. He began his career as a filmmaker, working with clients such as Nike, Yahoo!, Volkswagen, HBO, and Lionsgate Films. For the past two decades, he has worked with companies, brands, and C-suite executives, helping their organizations connect meaningfully with their audience to drive awareness and revenue. Through storytelling and creative direction, he brings teams together to craft meaningful campaigns and brand experiences that are brimming with optimism, whimsy, and inspiration.

Alexis is passionate about using creative digital media to showcase the meaningful work Project Blue does and connect people to its mission. She especially enjoys working with kids and finding ways to amplify their voices through storytelling. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications from Cal State LA, along with a certificate in Youth Agency Administration, which deepened her commitment to supporting youth and communities. She went on to pursue her master’s in Digital Media Management at USC, where she honed her skills in creating engaging, impactful media strategies. At Project Blue, Alexis combines her love for creativity, strategy, and youth engagement. Whether behind the camera, developing digital campaigns, or collaborating with the team, she strives to make every project authentic and meaningful. She’s proud to be part of the Project Blue team and continues to use digital storytelling as a way to inspire and connect with others.

Patty Gutierrez is the Director of Programs at Project Blue, a role she began in September 2025 with a clear purpose—to build communities rooted in belonging, empowerment, and opportunity. With over ten years of experience leading community initiatives, she brings passion, strategy, and heart to every program she develops.

A graduate of California State University, Los Angeles, with a degree in Sociology, Patty combines her academic foundation with a decade of hands-on experience in social impact work. Certified in Case Management and Trauma-Informed Care, she approaches leadership through a lens of compassion, collaboration, and accountability.

Throughout her career, she has been a steadfast advocate for underserved populations, creating pathways that connect individuals to resources, support, and a sense of purpose. Her work reflects a deep belief that sustainable change begins when people feel seen, valued, and included.

At Project Blue, Patty continues to lead with vision and empathy—designing programs that drive positive change, amplify community voices, and create lasting impact. She is inspired by the belief that when people belong, they thrive—and when communities thrive, the future transforms.