Theresa Akers is an interdisciplinary performance designer focusing on building new and interesting multimedia compositions applying sound, light and spatial storytelling elements in immersive collaborations throughout Minneapolis. Chief Creative Officer of Mesh Lab, she has designed for Mu Performing Arts, Freshwater Theatre, Workhaus Collective and Hennepin Theatre Trust. A graduate of NYU’s Gallatin Program for →
Jana Baecker is a German graphic designer that graduated with her BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2013. She has worked with advertising agencies in Germany, with clients in the Midwest and is currently working at an advertising agency in Northern Minnesota. When it comes to sustainability, she does not →
Susan Bast has been an environmental scientist for the City of Burnsville, Minnesota for over two decades. She develops, coordinates and implements environmental programs that promote sustainable practices with a goal to provide residents, businesses and employees with the information and the opportunity to make more environmentally preferable choices. She completed a Master’s in Landscape →
Megan Beierle graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design from Oregon State University in 2006. She has been working professionally in the field since then and is now an art director focusing on user interface design. Megan graduated with a MA in Sustainable Design from MCAD in 2017. She is based in Colorado where she is →
Annika Bergen is a reuse specialist in the Product Sustainability & Partnerships unit at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). She graduated from St. Olaf College in 2013 with degrees in Environmental Studies and Economics, and completed MCAD’s MA in Sustainable Design program in 2018. She’s involved in sustainability initiatives in her neighborhood, and volunteers →
Jerad Carlson is a multidisciplinary graphic designer who graduated with a BS in Design Technology with specializations in digital design/print, digital/design electronic and exhibit design from Bemidji State University. He has worked on numerous team and individual projects throughout his career and is currently a freelance graphic and identity designer. He believes sustainability will define →
Mark Chamberlain earned his BS degree in communication from North Dakota State University in Fargo. He has spent more than 10 years as a graphic designer and print production manager in higher-education institutions in Minnesota. Mark has a passion for sustainable print practices and exploring ways to spread better understand of our behaviors on our environment. He enjoys →
Tim is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada. He started his professional career as a military pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His overwhelming desire to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions and interest in sustainability, led him to MCAD’s Sustainable Design Program, and ultimately a change in careers. Tim is currently the Executive →
George has over 25 years experience working with clients in various positions at Apple Inc. Most of his time at Apple has been spent collaborating with k-12 and higher education institutions focusing on educational content creation. Other highlights of his professional career include leadership roles at Project Mandarin, a technology consortium centered at Cornell University, and IT Manager at Eric →
Ellie has worked as a fashion designer in both New York and Los Angeles. She is currently a design consultant for athleticwear brands and collaborating with an NGO to build a sustainable fashion toolkit. Ellie received her MA in Sustainable Design from MCAD in 2018. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2004 where she →
Michal Crawford-Zimring has a background in photography and education. She has been passionately pursuing ecological and sustainable design through her work as principal planner at Room to Grow (California). She also works with the California Watershed Project on oyster restoration and monitoring, bioswale planting for stormwater diversion, and native plant and creek restoration. Recently, Michal →
Jewelry designer Susan Crow is the creative mind behind the brand, East Fourth Street. Once referred to by Huffington Post as the “woman with a passion for sustainable jewels for the conscientious person,” Susan’s work is a marriage of design and socially responsible ethics. Clean lines, organic shapes created in 18kt gold for a client →
Noble Cumming is an industry-seasoned designer and team leader, specializing in design and innovation for some of the world’s largest brands. Focused on advancing graphic design and sustainability while creating happy clients in the process. He holds a BFA in Communication Design from Pratt Institute and a MA in Sustainable Design from MCAD (2013). Noble →
Aparna Darisipudi is currently a workforce analyst (MBA Fellow) with the US Department of Labor. She is an experienced program manager with international development, administration, marketing, operations and a business background. She has demonstrated proficiency in monitoring, improving and implementation of programs and policies; managing teams to deliver quality products and services; using oral and →
Amy is a creative professional who advocates for deeper design thinking. She has a natural curiosity about the world and how things work, and tries to understand any problem from multiple viewpoints. She is cofounder and design partner at Humbleweed Creative, helping eco-minded organizations to stand out and connect with their audiences through creative →
Zachary is a graduate of Bemidji State University in Minnesota, with a BS in Design Technology. He is currently an industrial designer for Nike NXT footwear innovation in Portland, OR. Previous to his work with Nike he was an independent industrial designer working with several local Portland startups to develop eco-related solutions for change. He →
Elke Erschfeld, originally from Germany, is a New York City based ad agency creative director with experience in integrated advertising campaigns ranging from consumer electronics to sparkling wine. Founder of the Eco-Chic Design blog, she also contributes to the style & design section of Organic Spa Living. In 2010, Elke was interviewed on Forbes.com as an →
Aoife Fahey is originally from Ireland but lived and worked in Denmark for a long time. She has a BA in Sustainable Design & Business from the Copenhagen School of Design and Technology. She worked for a number of years within sustainability education, circular economy, and bio-fabrication. Since graduating with her MA in Sustainable Design in 2018, →
Deann Garcia is a graphic designer by training but she’s always felt that term is a bit limiting for her taste. She’s a multifaceted designer with an obsession with cycling and a curiosity towards nature. Deann seeks to connect her love for the bike to her passion for a sustainable future, and use it to →
Mirna Garza, originally from Mexico, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, MX. She currently works as a mechanical product designer for a medical device company. Previously, she worked for nearly 4 years as a industrial designer at the Schneider Electric Design Center in MX and volunteered →
Jazmyne Geis is an interdisciplinary artist combining her backgrounds in visual art, design and performance to create engaging globally oriented bodies of work that re-identify our relationship to environment and support the voice of the natural world. Her homeland, the Hawaiian Islands, inspire her creative work — nestled in her heart, passion and expression. She →
After a successful 10 years in professional selling, spanning both the retail and consumer product industries, Megan made the decision to complete her Bachelor of Science in marketing degree and make a career change. Her passion for sustainable practices, the desire to be part of the creative process and her entrepreneurial spirit led her to →
Kendra Hargens has a strong background in fine art and design and is the first graduate of MCAD’s MA in Sustainable Design program (2012). She has been working on the soft goods industry for a decade and is passionate about incorporating sustainability into mainstream design and manufacturing processes. She is currently a designer with Fox →
Katie Hayes is a product development professional with nearly 10 years of experience in the housewares industry in both manufacturing and retail environments. Currently, she is senior product development manager at Sears Holdings Corporation Katie is skilled at working in complex cross-functional team environments with both domestic and international partners to deliver trend-appropriate products at →
Stephanie Hebert earned a BFA in Integrated Design from Finlandia University in 2015 and earned a Master of Arts in Sustainable Design in 2020. The focus of her thesis work explored materials management in the furniture industry and the impact construction and demolition have on related material waste. Born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, her career →
Audrey Hunt graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Fibers. As a fiber artist, her specialties are in weaving, natural dyes, and screen printing. Since graduating, she has worked many jobs, including screen printer, pattern designer, seamstress, and funeral assistant, to name a few. She is passionate about sustainability →
Evelyn Hussain is the Head of Innovation and Design at The Silk Initiative – an insights, strategy and innovation consultancy based in Shanghai, China. Since graduating from MCAD in 2012, Evelyn has pursued her Master in Business Administration at University of Exeter Business School in Exeter, UK. Her MBA focuses on sustainability, working closely with →
Tim Hutchens is a regional sales manager at Able Energy (Minneapolis) where he assists families and businesses to move toward renewable energy solutions to save money by utilizing rebates, incentives and financing options. Previously, he has been in wine sales, real estate, and bar/restaurant consulting. He received his BFA in Liberal Arts from the University →
Jake Hvistendahl is lead designer and project manager for a large start-up aquaponics venture, Praxis Foods in St. Paul, MN. Jake draws heavily from his experience in industrial building renovation, home energy management and architectural salvage while redesigning industrial spaces to support controlled environment agriculture. His current project is to incorporate various high stocking density →
I am a creative problem solver. I started off drawing and painting as a child and moved into the computer aided design world my senior year of high school. I have been designing professionally for almost nine years now, and I absolutely love it. I currently work as a Creative Designer for General Motors and →
Cheryl Jenrow is a sustainable designer and systems thinking strategist who has a background in graphic design, illustration and advertising. Nature has always informed her art, so it was only natural that she would move toward more sustainable design. She strives to visually communicate messages and ideas in unique ways that are effective to meet →
Nick Johnson is currently senior production artist at Wunderman and is a highly motivated creative thinker that loves to research ideas. He enjoys taking a design concept and making it come to life and has extensive experience in marketing communications including incentive programs and package design. He graduated with a BFA and Professional Certificate in →
Craig Johnson is a longtime practitioner of eco-minded design methods. He is the creative director and principal at AGENCY F Design (Minneapolis) and past associate director of sustainability for AIGA Minnesota. Craig lays claim to several related awards, including twice winning the AIGA MN Green Leaf Award. He’s been credited as the creator of the →
Dawn Keene is the president of Studio Change, a company offering sustainability consulting services. Prior to Studio Change, Dawn has served as president of Keene Design, Inc. an award-winning Atlanta-based firm specializing in graphic design for over a decade. Her previous affiliations have included High-Performance Healthy Schools Committee for USGBC Atlanta (United States Green Building →
Brenna is currently a Senior Court Clerk for the Fourth Judicial District in the State of Minnesota. She has been working in the legal field since she received her BA in Art and Law, Criminology and Deviance from the University of Minnesota in 2009. She is excited to make a career change and pursue her →
Stefanie Koehler is a designer of things and non-things. As a sustainability-focused human, she aims to create solutions that work to regenerate our environmental, cultural, and creative global and local economies. Trained as a product designer, she also likes to play with the art of not making things, or rather doing smart (not clever) design. →
Joel Kohn is an environmental scientist with experience analyzing data and presenting results for sustainability and wind energy projects. He has a particular interest in encouraging broader adoption of a sustainable ethic. Joel holds a Master’s degree at Clemson University in Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences. After graduating, Joel worked at the Savannah River National →
Nadine (Kümmel) Kuemmel is a freelance industrial and interior designer. After her studies of interior architecture and product design in Mainz, Germany, and Melbourne, Australia, Nadine became designer and project assistant at the Expotec OHG in Mainz, where she worked for companies all over Europe. As a MA Candidate in Sustainable Design at MCAD, she →
Ricky Ledesma is currently a prototype test engineer with M3D, a startup 3D printer manufacturer. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating, he has acquired a variety of career experiences within government, IT, semiconductor, organic farming, and 3D printing sectors. Each of these →
John Longchamps is a creative professional who, in his corporate role, assists with product design and marketing activities for Cascade Engineering – a corporation with a focus on sustainable business. He is responsible for concept ideation, assisting with the creation of marketing materials, general marketing communications and for interactive design/content. In his community role, John →
Claire Lukens is a communications specialist who graduated from Northwestern University in 2012 with her BA in Art History and minor in Environmental Policy and Culture. She has worked with various arts and environmental nonprofits and currently manages product documentation at an energy software company in Minneapolis. She has always been interested in architecture and →
Christian is an engineer with 15 years of product development experience in Denmark, China and the US. In this role, he has worked on everything from roof windows to handicap-friendly bathroom appliances to gearboxes for wind turbines. For the majority of his career, he worked for VELUX, a global company that makes roof windows, skylights →
Sarah Jane Maki has been a graphic designer for over 20 years and is the creative director and owner of a design firm that specializes in strategic design thinking, creating innovative, and humanity- and planet-friendly solutions for companies large and small. She believes wholeheartedly that designers are key to the development of products and systems →
Wai-Jing can best be described as a wildcard designer. Previously based in Melbourne, Australia, she has applied her creativity and expertise to various experience design, graphic design, web design, event management, and content marketing projects. Wai-Jing received her BA in Visual Communication from the University of Newcastle, Australia in 2011, and MA in Sustainable Design →
Ben Marquardt is owner of Ben’s Rod Shop in Iron River, Wisconsin. He has worked for the past 10 years with customers to develop a whole-systems approach to achieving their automotive performance goals. His experience is in mail-order retail sales, automotive machining and performance engine building, with a focus on alternative drivetrain solutions. He completed →
Tippy Maurant is a design associate at Room & Board, MN, and an original jewelry designer who incorporates sterling silver, reclaimed components and recycled metals into her pieces. Environmental sustainability is paramount in the fabrication, sales and distribution of her work and for her business, Tippy Maurant Jewelry. Her specialties include sustainable design, graphic design, →
Ajda Mesic is an apparel designer with 18 years of experience in textile manufacturing, wholesale and retail design. She earned her bachelor of fine arts from Syracuse University through the college of visual and performing arts. Ajda believes in transparent and transformational relationships between brands and consumers, rather than transactional ones. She is excited to →
Heather Meyer is a playwright, screenwriter, producer and director of the performing arts. She writes for television, screen, stage and Twitter. Currently, Heather is working on a screenplay and the casting and development manager for the National Theatre for Children in Minneapolis where she creates and produces live educational comedy shows for performance in elementary, →
Whitley Mike is an avid graphic designer and art director working at a top Minneapolis advertising firm. Throughout her career she has a been at the core of major campaigns gaining understanding of the social impact advertising has on consumers and the environment. With a passion for environmental conservation, minimalism and animal rights her career goals are centered →
Gautam Muralidharan is director of advisory services for PricewaterhouseCoopers (Minneapolis) where he develops easy to use and effective IT-based business process improvement solutions featuring leading edge information security technologies. Hands on security assessments, strategy review and development, product selections, architecture reviews, risk assessments, data classification, process reviews and development. He earned his MS in Electrical →
Kate Newton is a dedicated and enthusiastic sustainable graphic designer based in Portland, OR. She has been diligently committed to working with nonprofit organizations for over 10 years, supporting the causes for which they advocate. Her unwavering dedication to sustainability and social justice fuel her creative nature to help make the world a better →
I earned my BS degree in Electrical Engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. I currently work as an electrical design engineer with the main focus in analog circuit design. I enjoy robotics, origami, kirigami, and crafts. I joined the Biomimicry Global Design Challenge from 2015 to 2018 in which I devoted my time to →
Victor Palacios is a project manager and senior designer for Frank P. Key & Associates Architects. He is highly proficient in adapting to new design and construction technologies, and doing efficient, cost effective buildings where the motto is “fewer pieces, better pieces.” He specializes in sustainability-focused solutions, napkin sketches, 3D CAD, BIM and project management. →
Jessica Papa has been working in the marketing field for a decade, focusing on defining marketing strategies and creating the marketing collateral to visually support those strategies. She is originally from the Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Studio Arts from the University of Pittsburgh. She currently works as the creative services →
Olivia earned her BS in Liberal Arts emphasizing in Cultural Anthropology & Interactive Design, with a Minor in Graphic Design from Portland State University in 2014. Through working in the outdoor industry as a designer and guide, she grew a passion to work towards sustainable futures. Olivia’s mission as a designer is to use her →
Rita Penrod is a designer and sustainability consultant for FourFive Sustainable Design based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Motivated by a desire for positive change, Rita’s work approaches sustainability through holistic systems thinking – with the understanding that everything is designed, from products and services to businesses and lifestyles, empowering all people to create a more sustainable →
Wesley Petersen graduated from First College at Metropolitan State University with a degree in Sustainable Development where he designed a field of study that blended environmental science, economics and sociology, and he developed independent studies abroad in Costa Rica researching issues such as bio-prospecting of native plants and carbon offset programs with an additional semester →
Gabe Pyle is an instructor at the International Center for Creativity in the Industrial Design program at Cedarville University with plans of becoming a full professor upon the completion of his MA in Sustainable Design at MCAD. He has a passion for teaching, storytelling and encouraging others to discover and pursue their dreams. In his →
Shannon Rahkola gained extensive experience working in design agencies and creative departments in both Minneapolis and Denver after she graduated with a BS in Applied Design from the University of Minnesota. Environmental and social responsibility have always been a part of her personal life, but after working several years feeling the need to intertwine her →
Shannon helps clients design and build environments that improve life. As a sustainable building consultant for BranchPattern he manages projects and guides clients through various certification processes including LEED v4 and Fitwel. He goes wide with a variety of experience and deep in sustainable design and brand environments design. On the side he continues to →
Rudy Ruggles is president of Future Fixers, an organization that empowers kids all over the world to use their creativity and knowledge to identify and solve problems. Rudy teaches the skills and the character traits that enables kids to create compelling futures for themselves and those around them, avoiding being victims of the many problems →
Shanna Ruyle is an Art Director and Graphic Designer helping local, national and global companies amplify their products, services and messages through design and discover sustainable opportunities within their offerings and processes. Shanna thoroughly enjoys untangling the complex and exploring ways to bridge important technical, expert-level insights in a way that everyone can access and →
Michelle Santos, LEED AP, currently works an assistant project manager for a high-end residential builder in Palo Alto. She has over 18 years of experience in the architecture, engineering and construction fields including sustainability consulting and solar energy engineering, procurement and construction. She graduated with a bachelor of architecture from California College of the Arts, →
Jillian Schultz is a 2014 graduate of Villa Maria College where she earned her BFA in Interior Design and a Certificate in Historic Preservation. Jillian is currently a board member of The American Society of Interior Design and has managed and been involved in many local design projects including Habitat for Humanity and The Ronald →
Anabel Sinn earned a BFA in Communication Design from Parsons School Of Design in New York. She is the co-founder of Addtothenoise, a design studio in Los Angeles which specializes in branding, art direction and design. Over the course of her career, Anabel has worked as an Art Director at major record labels including Warner Brothers →
Taylor Snyder is an art director in marketing and advertising at Target Inc., with experience in sustainable design, digital branding and screenprinting. He has previous experience in digital at MRM Worldwide and Rockfish Interactive, and extensive involvement in traditional work at Campbell Mithun and Martin Williams. Taylor has leadership experience directing a team of creatives →
Sarah Stanke began her design studies at the University of Wisconsin Madison and graduated in 2008 with a B.S. in Interior Design and Certificate in Business. Afterwards, she worked as an interior designer for a commercial architecture and interior design firm as well at a residential design firm as a business operations manager in Madison. →
Dawn Suiter graduated with a BA in Screen Arts and Cultures and minor in International Studies from the University of Michigan in 2010. Over the past 6 years, she has worked as an AmeriCorps member for local nonprofits, PA on film productions, and as a Specialist at Apple. A proponent of environmental conservation and social justice →
AnnMarie Thomas is a Professor in the School of Engineering and the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas. She is the founder and director of the Playful Learning Lab, and the executive director of OK Go Sandbox. AnnMarie has MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Caltech, and a SB →
Shari is an experienced design, branding, and marketing communications professional who enjoys leading teams and exploring creative avenues for educating others on sustainability through integrated communications and the effective use of visual design. Shari has extensive experience in corporate, non-profit, and agency settings and owns her own business, Circular Design Solutions. Shari is passionate about helping →
Kelly Wilcox graduated with honors from Arizona State University with her Bachelors of Fine Art and a concentration in fibers in the spring of 2013. After graduating from ASU, Kelly moved north to Minneapolis to work for Target’s corporate headquarters as a material developer in the product design and development department for apparel and accessories. →
Alex Wong is currently a senior instructor in the Engineering Drafting and Design department at Dunwoody College of Technology. He earned an Associate’s degree from Dunwoody in Engineering Drafting and Design, and a Bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison in Art. Prior to teaching, Alex worked as a mechanical designer in the Twin Cities, and he helped →
Kelly (Kokaisel) Wright is currently a cross-border trade analyst with MetaPack in the UK. Kelly is a sustainable systems analyst, with experience in supply chain, distribution, finance, and product and relationship management. She has worked 10 years in subsets of these titles within a range of industries such as eCommerce Logistics, Oil and Energy, Banking/Lending, →
Alyssa is a multifaceted designer who fosters special interests in user experience design, visual design, typography, branding, visual storytelling and concept development. As a designer at a digital agency, she crafts visuals into a brand story through learning about the customer’s experience and supporting the conversations that allow her clients to understand the value of →
