When we do the work behind the screen, getting noticed is easy.
Meet the Team
The inspiration for FernDate sprouted from conversations in our communities expressing their frustration and overwhelm with dating. Our belief in our collective knowledge, empathy, and expertise led us to create a service offering support to help individuals overcome these challenges and find meaningful connections.
McKenzie Malone
OWNER | PRODUCER
I am a Portland native who is fiercely passionate about my city and all who inhabit it. With 10+ years of professional expertise across Disney, the NBA, MLB, and WeWork, I combine my big brand experience with homegrown passion. With a background in production, I know how to put on a show and host a flawless event. At FernDate, I get to put my skills to work and help clients visioncast their true selves and embody their full power. Truly honored to be your own personal hype woman.
Ladan Radafshar
FOUNDER
Over the past ten years, I’ve had the privilege of helping clients, friends, and colleagues find meaningful connections. I realize that presenting yourself online is a distinct skill that doesn’t come easily to everyone. My master’s in psychology and work as a therapist have helped me deepen my understanding of the nuances of attraction, compatibility, and communication. Additionally, as a social media specialist at Nike, I learned how to bring a brand to life through messaging and storytelling. With the passion I have for bringing people together, I feel honored to support my clients along their dating and relationship journeys.
Ladan Radafshar
FOUNDER
Over the past ten years, I’ve had the privilege of helping clients, friends, and colleagues find meaningful connections. I realize that presenting yourself online is a distinct skill that doesn’t come easily to everyone. My master’s in psychology and work as a therapist have helped me deepen my understanding of the nuances of attraction, compatibility, and communication. Additionally, as a social media specialist at Nike, I learned how to bring a brand to life through messaging and storytelling. With the passion I have for bringing people together, I feel honored to support my clients along their dating and relationship journeys.
Sam Gherke
PHOTOGRAPHER
The ability to tell a story through visuals can be just as powerful as words. Specializing in portraiture and photojournalism has given me the best of both worlds, fostering a knack for clean, well-composed images, while developing a loose visual narrative for my subjects. I’ve had featured work in Rolling Stone, Newsweek, and I photograph the weekly street style column for the Willamette Week. Through concert photography, I’ve captured amazing artists such as Morrissey, NaS, Jay-Z and the Foo Fighters. Bringing candid moments to life is what drives me. I look forward to working with you.
