Speakers

Prior to joining SCAD, the largest and most influential graphic design program in the US, Thomas was Partner and Design Director of Rigsby Hull, a communications brand consultancy where he worked with a diverse range of Fortune 500 companies and organizations including Dell, Sappi Fine Papers, Thornton Tomasetti and the Union of Concerned Scientists. His work is part of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum’s permanent collection, the Denver Art Museum and Columbia University. The New York Times’ art critic Steven Heller profiles Rigsby Hull’s work in his A Century of Design Milestones. And in each of its 40th, 50th and 60th Anniversary issues Communication Arts has cited Thomas’ work as among the most influential in American Graphic Design.

At MLS, Roman leads all league creative and shapes campaigns, consumer-facing marketing, narrative storytelling and visual direction to grow the game in North America. His work centres on igniting cultural relevance, brand affinity and fan connection by bringing the sport to life for a new era of fans. Previously, Roman served as the WNBA’s first Creative Director where he orchestrated its creative evolution and helped usher in a new era for the league — spearheading creative across advertising, design, brand marketing, storytelling, television and immersive experiences. His work included launching the league’s rebrand, the WNBA’s first short film We Are The W and the acclaimed “More Than Game” campaign in 2023. His work has been recognized by Ad Age, Adweek, The Business of Fashion, Communication Arts, the Clios, Ebony, Muse, MTV News, the Webby Awards, among others. Prior to joining the WNBA, Roman held creative leadership roles at Rolling Stone, Philadelphia magazine and Condé Nast. He hails from the country roads of West Virginia, where he received a BFA (West Virginia University).

Peter is the CXO and managing partner of Fantasy: the creative partner behind some of the world’s biggest digital products. A pioneer in human-centred design for over two decades, he’s led and launched next-generation intelligent experiences for the likes of Disney, Nike, Spotify, Netflix, Meta and Google—shipping platforms used by billions daily. Today, Peter and his team lead digital strategy and execution for Fortune 100 clients spanning retail, travel, automotive, technology, banking, healthcare, consumer and beyond. Partnering directly with the executives responsible for these transformations, he’s gained a unique insight into how AI agents are quickly becoming trusted intermediaries for consumers—and what it now takes for companies to maintain these relationships. He’s shared these insights on the world’s most prominent stages, helping organizations understand and prepare for a future most haven’t realized is already here.

Nu is a designer, strategist and educator who envisions conditions for communities to thrive. A recipient of the 2025 National Design Award (Emerging Designer), Nu is the Co-Founder, Managing Partner and Creative Director of Deem Journal and the Founder and Principal of ROOM FOR MAGIC. Nu is at the forefront of an emerging generation of designers who integrate design, culture, art, community and social practice. He has partnered with clients that include nonprofits such as the Art for Justice Fund, the Ford Foundation and the World Peace Foundation; cultural institutions such as the National Memorial for the Underground Railroad; and global brands like Nike and Google. His work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Wallpaper, Design Miami, Monocle, and The Architect’s Newspaper. Influenced by his Liberian heritage and passion for counter-culture, he presents keynotes globally on design as an invitation for communities to reclaim their futures.

Being both a third culture kid and an avid traveller, Mustaali’s sense of belonging extends well beyond geographic boundaries. This multi-faceted sense of belonging and experiences play an important role in how he explores the intersection of identities through his work. He is a circle, living in a square, drawing triangles.

As Chief Creative Officer at Bruce Mau Design, Laura leads ambitious brand transformations for global companies, cultural institutions and mission-driven organizations. Equal parts strategist and storyteller, she helps brands uncover what makes them meaningful—and then brings that to life through bold, intelligent design systems that flex across every touchpoint. Her work with clients like Sonos, INFINITI, Harvard University and The National Ballet of Canada has turned complex challenges into clear, cohesive and emotionally resonant brand identities. She believes the way we do things is critical and partners with organizations to find the best tools and methods that lead to connection and change. A long-time advocate for thoughtful, human-centred branding, Laura is also a mentor and speaker who enjoys sharing what she’s learned (and unlearned) along the way.

Kenjiro leads the creative vision at HATO—a publishing house, design studio and concept store with locations in London and Hong Kong. HATO develops design through a playful approach grounded in research, concept and participation. Working within culture—and collaborating with artists, organisations, and brands who share these values—has driven the studio’s practice for over a decade. HATO’s goal is to connect a genuine community, leaving a legacy that adds value and provides a strong foundation for growth. Kenjiro’s experience has evolved to focus on digital products and branding, with a specialism in co-creation and creative strategy. He has applied this approach across a range of client projects, including On, the Barbican, the V&A, District Vision, BAO, and New Contemporaries.

Jennifer studied communication design at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, where her final project reimagined Samuel Johnson’s 1755 dictionary as a contemporary coffee table book. After graduating, Jennifer worked at design studios focusing primarily on branding projects. In 2013, she began working on interior typesetting, which naturally evolved into full cover and interior book design. After several years freelancing, she joined Penguin Random House Canada in 2016, where she currently works as a senior book designer. Having been in the industry for over a decade, Jennifer has designed covers and interiors across almost every genre imaginable. She has worked on covers for many prominent Canadian authors, including Michael Ondaatje, Anne Michaels, Michael Redhill and Madeleine Thien.

Erik is a creative director and brand strategist with over 25 years of experience exploring how ideas take shape—helping organizations connect people, ideas and purpose through design and storytelling. From crafting compelling copy to shaping comprehensive advertising campaigns, he’s guided teams to create meaningful, results-driven work for major Canadian brands that include Air Canada, Bell Canada, Pearson Airport, The Beer Store, Sobeys, Canadian Tire Group and the Government of Canada. With a background in fine arts and painting, Erik brings a unique perspective to ideation, brainstorming and creative concept development.

Emmi’s work centres on “positive creativity”—the idea that design connects people, fosters well-being and supports sustainable choices. Her clients span purpose-led organizations like European Forest Institute, arts institutions like Tate Britain and cultural bodies like the British Council.  A leading advocate for creative well-being, she developed her Creative Ecosystem model to help fellow creatives reconnect with purpose and reduce stress and burnout. Her thinking is also reflected in her upcoming book, The Creative Wellbeing Handbook, which shares personal stories, research-backed ideas and everyday tools to help creatives feel more energized, focused and connected to their work.  Emmi’s insights are grounded in experience and training, including Yale’s The Science of Well-Being course. She is a Happiness Facilitator and RSA Fellow, teaches a Domestika course on sustainable branding and has contributed to the AI for Human Flourishing think tank at Harvard’s Institute for Quantitative Social Science.

Elizabeth is the U.S. Editor-at-Large for It’s Nice That, where she writes a popular monthly column on graphic design. Her writing on design history and visual culture has appeared in Fast Company, PORT, The Architect’s Newspaper and Eye on Design. Her criticism and commentary have been cited in The New York Times, New York Magazine, Dwell, CNN, Eater, Vox and Business of Fashion, among other publications and media outlets.  As a designer, she works independently across brand identity, editorial and art direction projects, often drawing from archival research and visual history to inform contemporary design systems and print work. Her clients include A24, Herman Miller, Phaidon, HBO and The Whitney Museum, as well as design studios like Pentagram, Interbrand, Mythology and Porto Rocha.  She publishes Casual Archivist, a newsletter about ephemera, and teaches at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and Parsons. In 2024, she was selected as a Young Guns winner by The One Club for Creativity.

Elana is the Founder of Design Is Yummy, an award-winning Montreal-based design studio known for their bold, impactful graphics. For over 15 years, her team has helped businesses and organizations communicate their values with clarity. Rooted in respect for the rich histories and identities of the communities they serve, the studio approaches every project with care, curiosity and a commitment to helping clients connect more deeply with their audiences. Believing that design is most effective when it serves people first, Elana collaborates with clients across arts and culture, education, healthcare, hospitality and government, including the Segal Centre for Performing Arts, the Cree Nation, Moxy Hotel and Myra’s Kids Foundation. Doing great work for great people making a difference in the world is what fuels the studio. Under her leadership, the women-led team has built a reputation for professionalism, reliability and outstanding creative that delivers results. A seasoned creative leader, Elana has built and led design teams, worked with countless creatives and cultivated a studio culture grounded in shared purpose. Whether guiding clients through complex brand challenges or mentoring emerging designers, she advocates for the power of thoughtful design.  Elana is a speaker on design and the business of running a studio, sharing insights on authenticity, partnership and building a fulfilling career. She also mentors within the creative community to support growth and encourage creative confidence.