Founders

Obra’s Local Founders

Obra is led by its founders, Brandon Ortiz, the company’s tech director, and Isela Perez its art director. Both Isela and Brandon are graduates of Sacramento State and zealous creatives in multiple industries including engineering, design and innovation.  

Brandon Ortiz

Technology Director

Brandon is an engineer and designer of automation systems. He holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from Sacramento State and earned the Mechatronics Technology certification from Sierra College. As a member of the ASME A17.1 Elevator Safety Code Committee, he redeveloped an elevator controller product line to meet international safety standards. In addition, he has collaborated with Sacramento freelancers to develop cloud-based software which automates engineering design processes. Brandon is an experienced troubleshooter, traveling over 20 states and four countries to provide field support for a rapidly developing controls company. After transitioning into self-employment, Brandon relocated to Nicaragua for six months where he developed his own software framework for real-time distributed control systems. While learning a new way of life abroad, he discovered that art and culture builds unity within communities. His vision is to be a force that propels Sacramento’s technology, art and cultural communities forward.

Isela Perez

Art Director

Isela Perez just completed her fifth season as a Sacramento Kings Dancer and is the Art Director at Obra. She earned a Bachelor’s in Journalism at Sacramento State, and boasts over 18 years experience in various dance styles including jazz funk, hip hop, lyrical jazz and ballet folkorico. In 2015, following her fourth season with the Kings Dancers, she relocated to Nicaragua for six months and continued to work remotely as a journalist. Upon her return home, she sought to continue her exposure to Latin America’s vibrant culture and joined Calidanza, a local Mexican folkloric dance company. In addition, she refocused on professional dance and created FEMdance; Sacramento’s only choreography class and training space designed for aspiring and current pro-dancers. This year, FEMdance expanded to Sac Dance Lab, a series of classes designed for dancers of all skill levels. Isela’s dedication to performing arts, media and community advancement led her to co-creating Obra.