We’re always looking to learn from creatives with unique experiences and introducing new leaders to creative communities. That’s why we’ve highlighted some incredible leaders who are shaping the creative industry today. All around the globe, from Russia, Singapore, the United States and the UK. Collectively, they have over a century of experience – which if you go that far back in time, that was when the Bauhaus Art Movement was founded! Ever since has influenced our way of thinking and creating.
This month, they have come together again in a Bauhaus-style fashion for our Executive Programme For Design Leaders. Inspired by the learning styles of the art school, discovering how to become a better leader, human, build better companies and a better world.
But before that, let’s get to know the design leaders a bit better, as we ask them – if you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
"I would make humans more empathetic/in sync with nature and other living beings."
Kristina leads the Future Strategy & Design team at Yoox Net-A-Porter Group – the world’s leading online luxury and fashion retailer. With her leadership, the team explores cutting edge technologies and designs innovative business models, services as well as products. Also, defining the future direction of the company and embedding innovation across all business lines.
"I wouldn't change a thing! The world is perfect in its imperfections. Without struggle, doubt or crazy beliefs it wouldn't change at all, so all imperfections make us change it constantly."
Kirill has a wealth of leadership experience across an eclectic mix of industries. From hotels, energy companies, broadband providers and social media start-ups, to name a few. He aspires to create environments where you don’t just work, but be part of a society, with certain responsibilities that will secure your place in a living organism called a company. Furthermore, he believes creating such an environment is a crucial part of any successful organisation where work and outside life influence each other.
"If I could change one thing in the world it would be to end loneliness. Fear and loneliness drive too many people to sad spaces - with 7.8 billion people on the planet no one should feel alone or unheard."
Lizi Hamer is the Regional Creative Director at Octagon – a sports and entertainment industry helping brands make their mark, stay ahead of the competition. She has paved the way for global product launches, disrupted the norm on a budget of pennies, changed laws and excited the social sphere. Based in Singapore, she has been awarded the Top 20 Women to watch in Asia, running SheSays Singapore a creative group to support more women into the industry.
This year Lizi was recognised by Campaign as a Woman leading change across the Creative industry. She contributed to writing a chapter on the ‘Power of Making’ in The Creative Social Book.
"I would replace the scarcity mindset with an abundance mindset. (Ubuntu: I am because we are)."
Jamye Wooten is a Digital Communications & Social Impact Strategist. On the forefront of digital strategy, his work has spanned the globe – advising nonprofits, faith-based organizations, corporations, and individuals in their efforts to engage their constituencies. Wooten, a co-founder of Baltimore United for Change, launched CLLCTIVLY in 2019, a social impact organization that is creating an ecosystem to foster collaboration, increase social impact and amplify the voices of Black-led organizations in greater Baltimore. His goal is to end the fragmentation and duplication of programs and be a resource for those that seek to find, fund and/or partner with Black social change organisations.
"One thing I would like to change is that people become more conscious. I would say to each of them, and for myself: Wherever you go, here you are. Stop complaining. Live this life."
Designer and Entrepreneur Ekaterina has grown her own Interior Design Firm, MI Eco Design for nearly a decade. Conducting design projects for public and residential premises from the development stage to full implementation.
"End stigma and shame of mental health. We all have bad days, but we usually auto-regulate and move on. However, when we are constantly in a bad situation or experience an unexpected traumatic event, our mental health helps us cope with life. Lack of self-awareness of how we feel or lack of help and empathy from others can seriously affect our lives. Our relationships with people and how we perceive or feel things will suffer. We might lose interest and joy in life and even be disconnected from the world, putting some people in a dark place that they may never overcome.
It’s crucial to embrace vulnerability and talk about how we feel, so others can also come forward about it to stop the spread of this stigma of mental health. We need to empower ourselves and the world to talk about it; we need to be kinder to ourselves and thoughtful to others so we can make a kinder world - it’s ok to tell people you feel broken because we all have been there. One day, you will tell your story of how you’ve overcome what you went through, and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide.”
Paul Autran is a Product Designer with 10+ years of building products for companies like Facebook and LinkedIn. He leads with a user-centred approach, designing holistic solutions by taking conceptual ideas and turning them into useful and valuable assets for millions of users. With a passion for education, Paul shares his knowledge with his design team and within the industry to inspire the next generation of designers.
"That people would assume good intent and practice tolerance in understanding our differences."
Carolyn started her career as a designer by trade. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she now is Executive Creative Director at ADVOC8 – an experiential communications agency that creates incredible experiences for the likes of Google, YouTube and many others.
"If I could change one thing, I would change everything. Most people avoid tough decisions and hard tasks; they even will change goals and values to avoid the decisions and actions. Changing this one thing in the world would change everything – the climate crisis, hate-based injustice, and inequality."
With a career in innovation spanning over 20 years, Paul has a lot of skills to share with the world. He has delivered products to World Bank and Freddie Mac in Risk Transfer within Capital Markets and has delivered finance products to Fortune 500 companies and in Agile, Scrum, and SAFE.
"I would change world inequality, it would be a world where you wouldn’t be judged by where you are from or what you look like but more about your talent and what you can contribute to the world! A world where everyone had the same opportunities and equal rights!"
Award-Winning Interior Designer, Paola has many strings to her bow. She is an entrepreneur, collector, researcher and designer. After working in fashion, design in various start-ups, she founded her own Interior Design firm, NPZ style + décor in 2014 – which has transformed into an all-around creative agency engaging in Creative direction, branding, art direction, graphic design, social media strategy analysis + event planning.
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