REDESIGNING SOCIAL SYSTEMS
WHO ARE WE:
DC Design is a social impact design firm. Using Human-Centered Design, our cross-disciplinary team engages the key stakeholders affected by a problem, especially those who have been through that problem themselves, to develop solutions that are validated and long-lasting. We partner with social impact entrepreneurs, governments, nonprofits and companies to address complex social problems and teach them our methods.
We have extensive experience applying our methods to redesign social systems such as criminal justice, education, foster care, and healthcare.
VISION:
We believe in the inherent value and purpose of every human life. We're working to make sure everyone, regardless of circumstances, can reach their fullest potential.
MISSION:
To advance the well-being of all people by developing curriculums, strategies, products, and services that benefit those most negatively affected by flaws in America’s social systems.
TEAM:
DURELL COLEMAN, FOUNDER AND CEO
Durell Coleman is the founder of DC Design, a social impact design firm that uses the design thinking process to address the world’s biggest problems. In his journey as a designer, Durell has collaborated with international non-profits, large tech companies, and small businesses to create products and services that solve the problems they face. Trained in mechanical engineering (B.S) and sustainable design (M.S.), he is a two-time alumnus of Stanford University and its famous Institute of Design (the Stanford d.school). He partners with diverse clients to help them successfully overcome challenges and capitalize on the opportunities before them. His clients include governments, foundations and nonprofits working to address challenges in the criminal justice and foster care systems, Syrian refugees designing solutions to challenges in refugee camps, students at Stanford University designing a more inclusive campus, and corporate executives from Sony, Oracle, and Santander. He is an expert in multi-stakeholder, human-centered design and is one of the subjects of the PBS documentary: “Extreme by Design,” which is used as a design thinking teaching aid all over the world.
HEATHER THOMPSON, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND CONSULTING TEAM COORDINATOR
Heather Thompson is an experienced executive assistant who has worked with companies ranging from Fortune 100 industry giants to small business startups. Her areas of expertise include project coordination, event planning, database management, and serving as a liaison between company departments. Additionally, with an undergraduate degree in Communications, Heather is a seasoned business and creative writer, and she has written articles, business profiles, and sales-based copy for regional and national publications, websites, and entrepreneurs. In her free time, Heather enjoys volunteering for community development initiatives and faith-based programs.
COOPER PENN, CONSULTING TEAM LEAD
Cooper uses human-centered design to solve the most complex and challenging problems within multiple industries. Using design thinking and agile methodologies, he molds his thinking to new users and their challenges, developing insights that are valuable and impactful. Insatiably curious, Cooper asks "why" and searches for the "purpose" to locate and surface the root causes of problems, what forms them, and how to solve them. He is a servant leader with over ten years of professional experience spanning a multitude of disciplines that he utilizes to facilitate innovation. His ability to empower others and mediate discussions between diverse groups of people helps teams approach problems with new and differing perspectives when tackling the underlying issues communities face, developing insights, and inevitably creating equitable solutions. No one person's design is perfect, but mold it, shape it, and adapt it among a group of supportive individuals, and it can get pretty close. As a leader, this makes him feel limitless.
JANVI GHATALIA, LEAD STRATEGY & DESIGN CONSULTANT
Janvi Ghatalia is an Indian social impact design researcher working towards creating equitable and sustainable shifts in thought and culture. She is is an alumna of MIT Institute of Design (B.Des, Industrial Product design) and School of Visual Arts (MFA, Design for Social Innovation). Her work has focused on conducting participatory research, strategy, data synthesis and facilitation and has experience working on issues of healthcare, economic justice, food justice, education and disability. She believes in the power of design to address systemic issues of society and bring people together across differences and biases. She feels passionate towards individual and collective healing, non-violence, holistic well-being and centering the voices of communities she is serving. With her multi-disciplinary background in designing products, systems, games, films, gatherings and business strategies, she has developed a wide range of skills to understand complex ecosystems, find gaps and turn insights into design opportunities.
SHARON LU, LEAD STRATEGY & DESIGN CONSULTANT
Sharon Lu is a creative bridge-builder passionate about promoting empathy, diversity, and creativity. She works to bring people together across disciplines, sectors, and cultures and to center marginalized communities. She co-founded an international organization focused on human-centered diplomacy. She integrates scientific and design research to help organizations across the globe with organizational, multi-stakeholder engagement, and communication strategy, as well as program and experience design. Her clients have included the UN Conference on Trade and Development, international nonprofits and social enterprises, and foundations. In addition to DC Design, Sharon also supports underserved students as a Junior Board Member at First Tech Fund. She holds a PhD in neuroscience (Stanford University) and a BS in biology (University of Wisconsin-Madison).
TROY MOSBY, STRATEGY & DESIGN CONSULTANT
Troy Mosby is a designer and researcher working toward creating a healthy, equitable, and sustainable future. He is passionate about communities and the people, interactions, technology, environment, and systems that create and empower them. A generalist at heart, Troy has used a multidisciplinary skillset of business analysis, data analysis, and experience design to help businesses, nonprofits, and local organizations understand the power and value of using human-centered approaches to discover and strengthen business strategies, redesign processes and products, and create meaningful impact in the communities they serve. Ever-curious and no stranger to a deep dive, Troy is currently exploring community development, urbanism, and emerging technologies, and the ways they intersect with his work. He holds a B.S. in Psychology with a Business Administration minor from Howard University.
ENRIQUE FAVARO, FINANCE MANAGER
Enrique Favaro is a CPA licensed in the state of North Dakota with several years of controllership experience. Blending a background accounting and information systems, he works to build efficient and scalable financial functions.
ASHLEY BUTLER, RECRUITER & HR COORDINATOR
Ashley is an HR, Operations and Recruiting professional with over 11 years of cumulative experience in various industries including tech, healthcare and e-commerce. Ashley’s entrepreneurial spirit has allowed her to build lasting relationships with professionals around the world in recruiting. She is passionate about placing candidates with companies that align with their core values and is truly honored to be able to work with the amazing team at DC Design. In her free time she enjoys eating new and delicious food, watching sports and family dance parties with her husband and daughter.
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