2025 JURY:

Lisa is a creative leader with over two decades of experience transforming some of the world’s most beloved brands. As Global Executive Creative Director at JKR, she has led impactful rebrands for clients like Burger King, Impossible Foods, Mozilla, and Manischewitz.

Previously, as ECD at Chobani, Lisa put creativity at the heart of the business, driving a transformative rebrand that expanded its product offering and boosted customer loyalty. She also served as Head of Design at Wolff Olins NY, delivering groundbreaking work for USA Today, The Met, and Zocdoc.

Named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People, Lisa’s work has been recognized globally, earning a Gold Cannes Lion, Fast Company’s Rebrand of the Year, and a Brand Impact Award in Culture. She has served as Jury President at Cannes Lions and D&AD and sits on the Board of Trustees at D&AD.

From his first jobs at boutique design studios in Toronto, Jason Brown has explored his unrelenting affinity for the tensions of function and form. After moving to Los Angeles in 2000, Jason joined larger agencies, including Interbrand and Fahrenheit 212, and redesigned larger brands, using strategy to inform his creative works. He directly oversaw the full repositioning, rebrand, packaging and app design of meditation app Chopra, and made Sustainably Yours a category defining cat litter.

In 2018, Jason co-founded his own firm Dan + Jason + Co., where he took a more hands-on approach to building brands from the ground up. Jason met the founders of Branch Insurance just as the company was launching and became employee No. 3. He did everything from positioning to ID to product design and experience, paving the way for the brand to reach unicorn status.

In every agency, he worked his way to the top of creative leadership, driving the process of bringing functionality to design. In 2022, he was named partner and president of Godfrey Dadich Partners (GDP) New York, where he led the agency’s East Coast business. But Jason was never far from the creative process. He personally led the rebrand of Bissell, which is set to hit the market soon.

His 25 years of experience culminated in being named global CEO for global design and branding agency Pearlfisher in April 2024. Jason succeeds by looking into tangential spaces for potential creative opportunities his teams can sink their teeth into and never backing down from pushing his teams beyond the norm.

As Vice-President of Creative at Walmart, David is responsible for the creative direction of Walmart’s marketing efforts, leading the Walmart Creative Studio, where he and his team drive creative excellence and innovation for the world's largest retailer.

Before joining Walmart, he held creative leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group and Target, where he founded and led the Brand Design Lab, Target’s internal design innovation team that created and launched over 30+ new brands, across categories including electronics, home goods, apparel, food & beverage, and household essentials, generating over $30 billion in sales.

Prior to Target, he also spent time at agencies including Ogilvy, Desgrippes Gobe, the Brand Integration Group and Arnell. David’s work has been recognized by The One Club, Fast Company, the Clio Awards, the Dieline Awards, Graphis, Communication Arts, and Brand New, and he has spoken at conferences including the AIGA Design Conference, HOW Design Live, and the Dieline Conference.

Since then, the company has won Agency of the Year honors over the last 5 years from AdAge (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023) and D&AD (2021). Most recently, they won Business Transformation Agency of the Year from Ad Age.

Before launching COLLINS with co-founder Leland Maschmeyer in 2008, Brian led the design and brand innovation division at Ogilvy Worldwide for over a decade.

He is a Distinguished Alumnus of The Massachusetts College of Art & Design. He was the first graphic designer invited to speak at The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He is a n officer and board member of The One Club for Creativity and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from The Art Center College of Design and granted the Shannon Luminary Award from Nokia/Bell Labs in honor of Claude Shannon, the founder of information theory and communication and networked systems. He was recently elected into Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI), the organization of world's leading designers.

Justin Lortie is the Founder & CEO of Wedge, the award-winning, strategically-backed brand & design firm known for distinct character in a world of abundance. Guided by the core belief that "everything can be special", Wedge has expanded across the U.S. and earned global recognition—winning Studio of the Year at The Dieline Awards 2024 and accolades from D&AD, ADC New York, and more. Their work has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, Vogue, and Vanity Fair.

Since founding Wedge in 2016, Justin has partnered with ambitious founders, Fortune 500 companies, and cultural icons—including Matty Matheson, Blake Lively, Vacation Sunscreen, CAVA , and SSENSE—translating their vision into standout brand worlds and special projects. He has led major rebrands for Keurig Dr Pepper, including Canada Dry, Mott’s Clamato, and Snapple Spiked.

Justin’s superpower is to see the unseen. With optimism, he brings potential to ideas that inspire, transform, and endure. He drives both creative excellence and business growth, positioning Wedge as a leading creative company in the industry. Through Wedge Ventures, he invests in category-defining brands with impact-driven founders. Inspired by the outdoors, he named the company after a trip to Wedge Mount Glacier, a place of freedom and inspiration.

Gander is an award-winning creative agency based in New York City. Founded by Katie Levy and Mike McVicar, Gander works across industries to create brands with bold storytelling and unforgettable personality. Their clients include iconic CPG brands like Graza, Magic Spoon, Banza, and Gotham Greens, alongside cultural icons like BRIC! Celebrate Brooklyn and Pop Up Grocer, plus non-profits like Pursuit.org.

As Chief Strategy Officer at COLLINS, Taamrat Amaize leads the agency’s strategic vision, driving transformative branding initiatives for some of the world’s most forward-thinking companies. With a deep expertise in brand strategy, cultural insights, and consumer behavior, Amaize ensures that COLLINS’ creative solutions are not just visually compelling but also deeply resonate with audiences.

Bringing years of experience in shaping brands at the intersection of design, technology, and business, Amaize collaborates closely with teams to craft narratives that redefine industries. Prior to joining COLLINS, Amaize played key strategic roles in globally recognized agencies and organizations, contributing to award-winning work that has pushed boundaries in branding and design.

At COLLINS, Amaize is instrumental in crafting the agency’s future-facing approach, helping brands navigate change and create experiences that leave lasting cultural impact.

Jim Pietruszynski is honored to be the CEO of Soulsight, a full service brand design agency, that utilizes an empathic mindset to motivate consumer connections with brands emotionally, keeping brands relevant and evolving with culture. With over 3 decades of experience in iconic brand design, Jim has worked in every category and channel, and is driven not only by creativity, but understanding true human needs, turning brands into artifacts of our culture. He has spent the last 25 years at Soulsight with roles as a Designer, Strategist, Account Manager, and CMO.

Jim’s passion for the creative process begins with the formation of an environment where a strong strategic vision can truly thrive. Collaboration and honesty have been important factors that have fostered breakthrough innovation and game-changing creativity. Jim’s inspiration comes from insights grounded in basic human truths and an empathetic approach. His focus on strategic insight and design allows him to contribute compelling creative thinking for clients and colleagues. Jim has experience in working with global and iconic companies such as Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, Molson Coors, General Mills, Pfizer, Unilever, and Hershey’s, and his work has been recognized by Graphis, How, Print, Communication Arts, Mobius, London International Awards, International Brand Packaging, Creativity Annual Awards, and Pentawards.

Taja Dockendorf, founder and creative director of Pulp+Wire a 100% female-founded and run CPG strategic brand, packaging, web, and launch agency. Taja has consulted, created, and grown hundreds of brands while fostering a culture around growth and intuitive leadership for her female-forward team. Taja and her team have directed creative for both start-up and national brands such as Petco, Sunbutter, MegaFood, RIND, Bob's Red Mill, Magnolia Bakery, and Allagash Brewing, to name a few.

Taja is also an active investor in emerging CPG brands, a mentor to other creative founders, creator and host of The Brand Alchemist Podcast, and a contributing writer for both national business and creative publications with a focus on creative leadership.

Andrea Mastroluca is a designer with 10 years of experience within the design industry.

Currently living between Rome and Florence, is Associate Creative Director at Auge Design, Italian design studio focused on Packaging and Brand Design.

In the last 5 years in Auge he had the chance to work with clients like Barilla, Chobani, Bahlsen, Giovanni Rana, Sammontana, Casa Marrazzo and many others.

Some of these projects have led him to win significant national and international design awards like ADCI, Dieline, Diamond Pentawards and contributed to Auge winning major awards in the last 2 years such as Dieline Studio of the Year in 2022 and Pentawards Design Agency of the Year in 2023.

Nicole LaFave is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Design Womb, an award-winning branding and packaging agency specializing in branding and packaging design for consumer packaged goods (CPG).

Nicole has led the agency to produce work recognized by GDUSA, The Dieline, Communication Arts, PRINT Magazine, and more. Her expertise spans brand development, packaging innovation, and strategic design, with a keen ability to blend aesthetics and functionality to drive a brand success. As a designer and entrepreneur, she understands firsthand what it takes to launch and grow a brand in competitive markets and has served an array of industries including food, beverage, skincare, personal care, and more.

In addition to her work at Design Womb, Nicole co-founded and served as Creative Director for Omelle, a luxury women's footwear brand, gaining recognition from Vogue, WWD, and Footwear News as a young entrepreneur. She holds a B.F.A. from Wayne State University and additional degrees in footwear and knitwear design from FIDM Los Angeles, bringing a multidisciplinary approach to her work. Her passion for design, storytelling, and packaging design continues to help people and brands across the globe.

Phoebe Glasfurd is a creative leader with expertise in design, brand building, and packaging. As Co-Founder and Creative Director of Glasfurd & Walker, she has established the studio as a global leader in hospitality, consumer packaged goods, and retail. Known for her world-building approach to design, Phoebe combines strategic thinking, storytelling, and thoughtful craftsmanship at every level and touchpoint. Beyond her creative work, she advises and invests in start-ups across Canada, Australia, and the USA. She is also committed to supporting non-profits dedicated to mental health, humanitarian causes, and environmental sustainability.

Over 25 years, I've had the privilege of collaborating with iconic brands like Coca-Cola, Dove, Levi's, Nestle, Heinz, and Lego, honing my expertise and championing sustainable design solutions that make a positive impact.

In 2008, I embraced a new challenge as Creative Director at Sunhouse. This move proved to be a defining moment in my career. An opportunity to be part of an agency where I could make a real impact. Over the years, I've led and inspired a talented team as we grew from a close-knit group of four to a thriving agency of 44.

We've celebrated significant wins, securing global accounts like Magnum Ice Cream, Aptamil, and Tropicana, consistently exceeding expectations and building a reputation for creative excellence. I'm passionate about fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where everyone can thrive, and I approach each new project with optimism and a genuine desire to make a difference.

Amber Asay is the founder of Nice People, an award-winning design studio delivering impactful branding and digital experiences. She built her business from the ground up, turning it into a profitable venture known for its thoughtful, human-centered approach. As host of the podcast Women Designers You Should Know, Amber spotlights the stories of underrepresented women in design, sparking dialogue on equity and innovation. Her insights, drawn from real-world experience, make her a sought-after speaker who inspires and mentors the next generation of creatives.

Brittany Davis is a co-founder of Saturday Studio, a creative partnership established in 2015 and based in Charleston, SC. With design careers spanning over 20 years, Brittany and her partner, Kathryn Whyte, bring a deep well of expertise and insight to every project. Over the past decade, Saturday Studio has built a portfolio of impactful work, including brand identities, packaging systems, collateral suites, websites, and more.

Their approach goes beyond delivering meaningful and enduring design; they are dedicated to fostering lasting relationships. By helping brands establish strong foundations, Brittany and Kathryn remain invested in their clients’ unique journeys as they grow and evolve. This commitment to quality, collaboration, and longevity defines the heart of Saturday Studio’s work.

Jake Bullock is the CEO and Co-Founder of Cann, a pioneering cannabis-infused beverage company. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Duke University and later obtained an MBA from Stanford University. Before launching Cann in 2019, Bullock gained experience in investment banking at Allen & Company and worked at Bain & Company, focusing on strategy and due diligence across various sectors. He also served as an associate at Bain Capital, evaluating investment opportunities in the consumer space. Under his leadership, Cann has redefined social drinking by offering microdosed THC beverages, providing consumers with a refreshing alternative to traditional alcohol.

Tristan is the Global Executive Creative Director for consumer brands. He spearheads creative excellence across Landor, developing brand strategy and design, and driving innovation with the integration of Technologies in the forefront of creative process – most recently with P&G’s revolutionary EcoClic industrial & pack design – winning at Cannes Lions in Innovation. Previously driving creative excellence in Landor’s Paris and Geneva offices – under his lead, Landor Paris became one of the most awarded design and branding agencies in the world, receiving over 94 awards since 2013, including 8 D&AD’s, 3 Grand Prix from France’s most prominent design competitions and 7 Cannes Lions, making Landor the most awarded design agency at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity two years in a row.

Adam is a brand designer, lettering artist and mural painter who is obsessed with fusing the worlds of fine art and strategic design. In his personal work Adam infuses his love for travel and the outdoors into his typography, illustration and storytelling to create visceral experiences for his audience. That’s visceral, not Vicarel.

Adam enjoys donuts, whiskey, all things outdoors, trying to convince his niece that he’s not a monster and experiencing new cultures and conversations with people from around the world.

Han Gao is a creative director and graphic designer. Born in Beijing in 1995, He graduated from Yale University School of Art MFA program in 2022, and co-founded the Workbyworks Studio in 2018. His works have been awarded Tokyo TDC Prize, DIELINE Award, Pentawards Platinum Award, New York TDC, 360 Award etc. Clients, commissioners and collaborators have included Apple, Nike, IBM, Kappa, H&M, Guggenheim Museum, Xander Zhou.

Andrea Beaulieu is the founder and creative director of Studio Linear, an award-winning, female-owned creative agency specializing in branding, package design, and digital media. With over 15 years of experience, Andrea has earned a reputation for creating bold, innovative designs that connect deeply with audiences across industries.

Andrea’s multidisciplinary approach stems from her background in music composition and new media, as well as her studies in horticulture and botany. These influences allow her to craft designs that draw inspiration from the natural world, creating authentic and memorable brand identities.

Studio Linear’s client portfolio includes notable names such as Seth Rogen’s Houseplant and brands featured in major retailers like Target. The agency has also garnered awards for its strategic and creative work, including recognition for its campaigns in the cannabis industry.

What began as a one-woman operation in Andrea’s kitchen has grown into a thriving agency known for its collaborative and innovative spirit. As a working mother and leader of a female-owned business, Andrea takes pride in fostering inclusivity and supporting her clients’ visions. Her dedication and creative leadership have established Studio Linear as a leader in design and branding.

As Senior Director of Packaging Experience, Michelle leads a globally renowned team of industrial and visual designers who create premium, sustainable packaging for Sonos. Her team focuses on understanding the customer journey, designing unboxings that are seamless, intuitive, and joyful. Every detail—from the first touchpoint to the final reveal—is carefully crafted to ensure the experience is easy to navigate and leaves a lasting impression.

Michelle has championed sustainable packaging since 2012, driving continuous improvements at Sonos. She is passionate about sustainability and has positioned Sonos as an industry leader. The 2021 redesign of Sonos’ packaging system received widespread recognition, including the prestigious “Best of Show” award at The Dieline Awards in 2023. Sonos’ packaging has inspired major tech companies, such as Google and Amazon, to adopt more sustainable practices.

Before joining Sonos, Michelle worked on the VIBE design team at Dell in Austin, Texas, where she developed visual identity systems and sustainable designs. Her time at Dell inspired her approach to innovative design.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Art & Design from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. She currently serves as Industry Chair on the Packaging Advisory Board for Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business.

Cory Connors serves as the Director of Sustainable Packaging at Orora Packaging Solutions, bringing over 25 years of industry experience. His journey began in a Weyerhaeuser corrugated production facility, where he gained foundational insights into efficient and sustainable corrugated manufacturing.

Beyond his role at Orora, Cory is a prominent voice in the sustainability community. He hosts the “Sustainable Packaging Podcast,” sharing insights on eco-friendly packaging solutions. His passion for sustainability extends to social media, where he educates a broad audience on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

Cory emphasizes the importance of reducing packaging waste and rethinking design to balance product protection with environmental responsibility. He advocates for collaboration across the value chain to create sustainable packaging that benefits both the environment and businesses.

Through his multifaceted efforts, Cory Connors continues to drive the conversation on sustainable packaging, inspiring both industry professionals and consumers to adopt more eco-friendly practices.

Ms. Haider is a Partner focused on Impact Investing. Prior to rejoining L Catterton, Ms. Haider was the Chief Growth Officer of Harry’s Inc., where she was responsible for incubating and acquiring new brands, as well as overseeing their operations after launch or acquisition. During her tenure at Harry’s, the company not only launched two highly disruptive CPG brands across the personal care and pet spaces, but also successfully completed a transformative M&A transaction. Previously, Ms. Haider was a Principal in L Catterton's Growth Fund focused on investments in the beauty, personal care, apparel, and pet categories. Prior to L Catterton, she was an investor at Castanea Partners, a consumer focused middle-market private equity firm, and a member of the Strategy and New Business Development team at the Estée Lauder Companies, a global leader in prestige beauty. Ms. Haider began her career as a management consultant at Bain & Company.

Ms. Haider graduated summa cum laude from Columbia University with a degree in economics and philosophy, and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School.

Pete Hawkins is the Creative Director for Chase Design Group's UK studio. For over 20 years Pete has enjoyed working with clients across a range of categories; from banks to beers. Always employing strong design thinking, unique creative ideas, and exquisite craft to deliver effective work for his clients.

Chase Design Group is an independent creative agency with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and the UK, with expertise across brand strategy, identity development, package design, and retail environments.

Caitlin is an accomplished Creative Director with a decade of experience shaping transformative brand experiences. Her expertise spans brand strategy, innovation, creative direction, and design, working closely with executives, founders, and creative teams to craft brand-led solutions that propel businesses into their next growth phase.

At the renowned strategy and innovation agency Redscout, Caitlin guided top-tier clients, including UberEats, Airbnb, and American Eagle, through critical strategic challenges with innovative solutions. Later, she brought her strategic insights to in-house creative roles, where she was instrumental in expanding Milk Bar’s brand vision across diverse consumer touchpoints, from e-commerce to CPG, flagship stores, and retail pop-ups.

Currently serving as Creative Director at Blurr Bureau, Caitlin drives the creation of brands that resonate deeply with people’s lives. She views brand presence as something that extends to spaces, places, and moments in time, helping brands like Live Nation, Society de La Rassi and The Gettys Group translate brand goals into meaningful experiences. Known for her thoughtful, audience-centered approach, Caitlin is a compelling voice in the world of branding, uniquely positioned to weigh in on emerging trends, consumer insights, and creative excellence.

As owner and president of Gardner Design, Bill has spearheaded impactful branding for industry giants like Kroger, the NFL, Cessna Citation, Cargill, Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita State University, and others. With a keen understanding of brand dynamics, he prioritizes business objectives in all design endeavors.

As founder of LogoLounge.com, Bill pioneered a renowned platform for logo design, reflected in his best-selling LogoLounge book series and annual Logo Trend Report. He authored Logo Creed, a foundational text, and presents branding courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Recognized with an AIGA Fellow Award in 2014, Bill actively contributes nationally and internationally to the creative community through judging, speaking engagements, and board service. Outside of design, he's completed a term as Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.

Roy Fleeman, founder of the Atlanta-based Office Hours studio and VP of Design at Vacation®, was introduced to the world of creativity in the basement of his childhood home where his father would hand letter signs for small businesses. Inspired by this, mid 90s albums, and skateboarding t-shirts, he enrolled in the design program at a small college in Georgia to see if he could make a career out of graphic design.

After graduating, he bounced around a few small advertising and branding agencies. In 2014 Roy made the venture into starting his own agency. Since then Roy has worked on branding and packaging for an array of clients including Sony Records, Patagonia, the City of Atlanta and Vacation® Sunscreen. In 2023 he went in-house with Vacation®, where he’s now VP of Design. At Vacation® Roy leads the small design team in creating all of the company’s packaging and visuals.

Roy believes a key part of his work is trying to capture “a little bit of undesigned charm”, this might account for the timeless feel that infuses all of Office Hours work, with elements harking back to the simpler, less-digitized design of the late twentieth century.

Claire Robertshaw is co-Executive Creative Director at Design bridge and partners. Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, Claire is responsible for the creative excellence and management of the London Studio, overseeing and leading key relationships with the agencies broad portfolio of clients.

Claire is passionate about nurturing the next generation of creative talent, coaching and mentoring with D&AD’s New Blood Academy, as well as leading the DBP annual junior competition, The Start. A fierce advocate for creative freedom and empowerment, Claire regularly contributes to industry discussion on this topic; she is a regular mentor with Kerning the Gap, and speaker for Ladies Wine & Design - organisations dedicated to achieving gender equality in the design industry with a focus on women in leadership roles.

With many industry awards to her name from the likes of DBA and Pentawards, Claire is also a regular judge sitting on jury panels for numerous awards bodies, including FAB, D&AD and Clios.

I’m Daniel Freytag, Creative Director and Co-founder of branding studio Freytag Anderson. I believe our best work cuts through the noise by honing in on the truth behind a brand and communicating it in the clearest and simplest way possible. When I'm not designing I’m also a contemporary artist and curator of Colour Scotland, a project celebrating the unique palette of Scotland. Whether I’m building brand identities, designing packaging or exploring colour through art, my focus is always on clarity, purpose, and connection.

Jessie McGuire is the Managing Partner at ThoughtMatter, an independent design studio in Flatiron, NYC. She leads a diverse team of designers, writers, and strategists to craft bold identities and campaigns for global brands, cultural institutions, and socially progressive organizations. Jessie has spent over a decade transforming billion-dollar brands like Kimberly-Clark, P&G, and Colgate-Palmolive into cultural icons.

A Salvadoran-American and advocate for diversity in design, Jessie is passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented designers to feel empowered. Her leadership has driven impactful work for organizations like March for Our Lives, Girls Write Now, and World of Women, as well as campaigns for Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the New-York Historical Society.

Jessie earned her BFA from Pratt Institute and an MPS in Branding from The School of Visual Arts. She previously served as Advocacy Chair for AIGA NY and frequently speaks at industry conferences.

When she’s not leading groundbreaking projects or mentoring emerging creatives, Jessie can be found running through Brooklyn—whether on her own, in a race, or chasing after her two kids.

For more than twenty years, Ryan has helped build brands, ranging from local startups and cultural institutions to Fortune 500 corporations. His main areas of focus are branding and visual identities, packaging, and interactive design. Over the course of his career, Ryan has held design and leadership positions at some of Canada's most awarded agencies. In 2018, he founded the Branding and Design department of LG2 Toronto, helping to grow Canada's largest independent creative agency.

Ryan has worked across every major sector, including finance, technology, retail, fashion, beauty, culture, government, transportation, hospitality, energy, and food & beverage.

His strategic mindset and attention to detail have resulted in recognition from every major international design competition, including Cannes Lions, D&AD, the Dieline, the One Show, Clios, ADC, Communication Arts, and the ADCC. He has also had the pleasure of sitting on a range of international design juries, including Cannes Lions, London International Awards, and Communication Arts.

Natalie has had a career spanning 20 plus years on both client and agency side, across a diverse range of creative disciplines. She is renowned for driving wonderful creative ideas that are beautifully crafted, always overseen by her watchful (and occasionally maddeningly) precise eye for detail.

Co-founding Butterfly Cannon in 2010 she has driven its focus on luxury and global brands, collaborating with clients across the drinks, beauty, wellness, fine foods, and lifestyle sectors.

Her overarching ambition is to elevate every brand they work with and establish Butterfly Cannon as the most sought-after creative studio for aspirational brands and talent.

Sharon Werner is the Founder and Creative Director of Werner Design Werks, a Saint Paul, Minnesota-based design studio known for its thoughtful and authentic approach to branding. Since founding the studio in 1991, she has worked with clients ranging from Moët Hennessy and Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day to Target Corporation, crafting brand identities and packaging that resonate both commercially and culturally.

Beyond her client work, Sharon is also an author and educator. She co-authored a series of children’s books, including Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types and Alphasaurs and Other Prehistoric Types, which explore the expressive potential of typography in a playful and educational way.

Her work has been widely recognized, earning international acclaim and a place in the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum. She has also served on the board of directors for the Type Directors Club and has been actively involved in the design community, sharing her expertise through lectures and mentorship.

Sharon’s design philosophy centers on collaboration, curiosity, and the belief that brand storytelling should be as engaging as it is strategic. Through Werner Design Werks, she continues to push the boundaries of visual identity and branding, creating work that is both timeless and distinctive.

With over 16 years of experience in branding, design, and advertising, I continue to pursue my passion for crafting uncommon yet wonderful brands for businesses. I'm happy to say that we get results.

The business motto I live by: "The best brands win."

I am the founder of Saleah, a branding agency that employs a strategic business approach to design in order to craft distinctive and extraordinary brands that not only propel but also orchestrate the expansion of businesses. We are deeply passionate about closing the wealth gap among underrepresented founders through the power of branding. Our portfolio encompasses a diverse range of clients, including consumer brands, personal brands, and hospitality brands.

In the past, my career included serving as a board member for AIGA NY, contributing my design expertise to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, and assuming the role of Design Lead at Amazon. In this capacity, I directed artistic vision and led the design aspects of various brand initiatives, web projects, and visual design endeavors for Amazon's Fashion, Diversity, Prime Day "Fashion," Prime Wardrobe, and Private Brands divisions. Throughout my journey, my core mission has remained constant: to foster collaboration with cross-functional teams and deliver captivating, user-friendly experiences to millions of users.

Russ is the Cofounder and President of Cabinet Health - the sustainable healthcare company. Cabinet makes, moves and develops healthcare products that are the highest quality and good for the planet. The company and Russ are recipients of awards such as TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2024, Entrepreneur Magazine Top 20 entrepreneurs of 2024, Shark Tank, and many others for their work in health and environment. Prior to Cabinet, Russ worked in social innovation at Deloitte Consulting. He is a US Army Infantry Officer and a proud father of two young boys.

The founder of the Instagram account “People Brands and Things” has cultivated a platform that seamlessly blends consumerism, culture, and creativity. With over 20,000 followers and more than 2,100 posts, the account has become a go-to source for the latest in brand marketing, advertising, and consumer news. Beyond Instagram, the founder extends their insights through a Substack newsletter, offering in-depth analyses and perspectives on emerging trends. Their commitment to highlighting brands that often escape mainstream attention has provided a unique space for underrepresented voices in the marketing and advertising sectors. As a judge, the founder brings a wealth of knowledge and a keen eye for innovation, informed by their extensive experience curating and commenting on the intersections of consumer behavior and creative expression.

Sophia Chang hails from the borough of Queens, New York and in less than a decade managed to champion a name for herself in the art, design and streetwear community world wide. With her BFA from Parsons School of Design coupled with a natural acumen for business she has collaborated with a-list names across multiple fields such as Samsung, Nike, Refinery29, Adidas, Apple, Footlocker, HBO, and the NBA to name a few. As a gifted multimedia storyteller with the ability to create lucid and inspirited imagery, she’s expanding market boundaries and defining a new vivid, visual vocabulary. She understands that presence has dimension. Online or in real life, Sophia inspires connection. Passionate about everyone's story, she listens and interprets those stories to empower the community she loves and respects. Sophia is a creative engine that lives to propel her friends and clients to greatness.

Kiser Barnes is the Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Red Antler, a leading branding and design agency based in Brooklyn, New York. With two decades of experience, he has been instrumental in shaping brands across various industries, focusing on the intersection of design, culture, and innovation. At Red Antler, Kiser leads a team of 40 creatives, overseeing brand identity, user interface/user experience, content, advertising, social, and experiential projects.

Before joining Red Antler, Kiser served as Head of Design and Innovation at Digitas/Publicis Groupe, where he guided clients such as LVMH, Google, Delta Air Lines, Crocs, Visa, Four Seasons, and Calvin Klein. His innovative work has earned him a Cannes Lions Grand Prix, and in 2023, he was recognized as a Web3 Marketing Trailblazer by Ad Age.

Kiser’s approach to brand building is holistic and forward-thinking, turning emerging ideas into transformative experiences. He emphasizes that true innovation is tech-agnostic and centers on creating emotional connections through thoughtful design. Residing in the Lower East Side of New York City, Kiser continues to influence the creative landscape with his visionary leadership.

Melanie Masarin is the founder of Ghia, a non-alcoholic aperitif designed to change the way we think about drinking and socializing. Ghia was inspired by the summers enjoyed with her family in the South of France near the Mediterranean – moments spent entertaining friends, cooking together, and having conversations that lasted until dawn. Ghia is meant to create an aperitivo hour that, like those childhood memories, invites everyone to the table and transports you to a place of simple pleasures and connection without numbing the night. Melanie is the recipient of a Forbes 30 Under 30 award (2018; e-comm & retail) and Ghia was named Fast Company’s top 10 most innovative consumer goods companies of 2022, won Best New Product in the BevNET Best of 2022 Awards, is a Gold Medal Winner in the L.A. Spirits Awards Non-Alcoholic Category, and remains the first and only non-alcoholic brand in history to win Esquire’s “Drink of the Year” award.

Jing Gao is the founder and CEO of Fly By Jing, a premium Chinese food company bringing thoughtfully crafted pantry staples to the modern kitchen, like their cult-favorite Sichuan Chili Crisp, the fiery condiment that has taken America by storm. She was born in Chengdu, but grew up everywhere, and uses her experience as a chef and entrepreneur to share meaningful flavors that evolve culture through taste, and expand palates and minds.

She is the Founder of award-winning modern-Chinese fast casual restaurant Baoism in Shanghai, the Co-Founder of modern Sichuan grab-and-go cafe Suá in Los Angeles, and is the author of the James Beard Award-winning cookbook The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp.

Jeannie Joshi is an accomplished marketing creative with extensive experience shaping brand and digital strategy for global corporations such as L'Oréal, Moody’s, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, Godiva, and startups like Casabella. She has led integrated branding efforts for consumer packaged goods and internal communications, combining strategic vision with innovative execution. Her career includes pivotal roles in Corporate Affairs at Bristol Myers Squibb, Design & Brand Management at Bath & Body Works, and Creative Technology at Viant. She has collaborated on design projects with agencies such as R/GA and Interbrand. Her expertise spans traditional branding, emerging technologies, and corporate communications, with a specialization in strategic partnerships, retail experience, and consumer goods. In addition to her industry work, she has served as visiting assistant professor, adjunct lecturer at Pratt Institute and CUNY and as a guest lecturer at Parsons The New School for Design, focusing on communication and design strategies.

Ryan Adair is the Executive Creative Director at Mother Design’s New York City studio. Raised in various small towns across Northern Nevada, he moved to New York to pursue a Master’s degree in Brand Design at Pratt Institute. With over 15 years of experience, Ryan has contributed to renowned agencies and brands worldwide. As Creative Director at Bruce Mau Design in Los Angeles, he played a pivotal role in launching Sonos. During his tenure as Global Design Director at Nike, he led teams across multiple continents. In New York, Ryan has developed comprehensive design systems for clients such as Google, CashApp, Samsung, Marriott, and WeWork, collaborating with agencies like Gretel and R/GA. He believes that thoughtful, concept-driven design rooted in authentic brand narratives leads to enduring solutions. Outside of his professional endeavors, Ryan enjoys running through Prospect Park and spending quality time with his son.