Past Conferences
Design For Sustainability
Attendees heard from trailblazing women founders, leaders, and designers reshaping the future with sustainable innovation. They also participated in an interactive workshop that sparked creativity and taught design-thinking strategies to tackle real-world sustainability challenges.
Speakers: Samantha Derrick (Plant Futures Initiative Founder & Executive Director), Zoe Novic (Center for Animal Protection and Education Executive Director), Charlotte McCurdy (d.school Lecturer & Researcher)
Impact: Designing for Change
IMPACT: Designing for Change in 2023, brought together thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers to explore the power of design in shaping a better future. Through insightful talks, hands-on workshops, and collaborative discussions, participants delved into how design can drive social, environmental, and economic transformation.
Speakers: Samira Daswani (Manta Cares Founder & CEO), Koreen Odiney (We’re Not Really Strangers Founder & CEO), Katie Kirsch (twenty Founder & CEO), Kwiri Yang (Second Time Founders Founder & CEO), Heesun Lho (Tory Burch Foundation Director of Programs)
Designing the Future
In 2022, our conference explored future-oriented design, sparking conversations about building the world we want to see. Our inspiring speakers shared their innovative approaches to shaping the future, leaving attendees energized and ready to take action. The event featured a dynamic, hands-on design workshop led by the visionary co-founders of Oddli, a sustainable fashion brand redefining creativity and environmental responsibility.
Speakers: Lily Fielding (Recidiviz State Engagement Manager), AnneMarie Lock (Etsy Senior Director of Product Design)
Workshop Leaders: Ellie Chen and Jensen Neff (Oddli Co-Founders)
Panelists: Chanel Kim (Nextdoor Product Designer), Devika Patel (The Better Lab), Margaret Hagan (Legal Design Lab Executive Director)
Designing for Inclusion
In our 2021 conference, we brought together students and thought leaders alike to collectively explore what it means to design for inclusion and equity. Our two day virtual conference featuring a combination of keynote speakers and hands-on design workshops focused on how the design community can engage more diverse voices and how individuals can incorporate inclusive and equitable practices into their design work.
Speakers: Antionette Carroll, Tania Anaissie, Emi Kolawole, Jen White-Johnson, Mary Bellard, Diane Dwyer, Elizabeth Guffey, Bess Williamson, Aubrie Lee, Andrea Small Design Strategist and Educator, Sean Follmer, Alexa Siu, Lily Zheng
Designing for Her
Our Fall 2019 Conference spotlighted the theme of sustainable design, featuring amazing female speakers coming from Patagonia, Impossible Foods, Brandless, The Exploratorium, IDEO, Baggu, and Allbirds. Read more.
Speakers: Ellen Vanderlaan, Lizzy Morrison, Elena McCallister, Tina Sharkey, Rachel Maloney, Ashley Geo, Shani Krevsky, Susan Schwartzenberg and Jill Fantauzza