Meet 40 Chief Design Officers from Youtube, Zoom, Cisco, who are proving design's power to drive innovation and growth. These have brought design into the boardroom, reshaping how companies think and compete.
From startups to global giants, they're showing that great design isn't just about aesthetics—it's a key driver of business success. Follow them for unique insights into the evolving role of design and what it means to lead with creativity at the highest corporate levels.
Kaaren is a design executive who has transformed organisations like JPMC, Meta, and Intuit with user-focused strategies. Known for her empathetic leadership, she excels at scaling design teams and driving business growth through cross-functional collaboration.
Changes the world through: Empathetic Leadership, Scaling Design Teams, Innovation in Financial Services and Tech
Chris is the CDO behind YouTube Shorts & Live, with an impressive career leading digital transformation at YouTube, Netflix, and Yahoo. Now, as a board member at California Trout, Chris continues to shape the future of digital media and cross-platform experiences.
Changes the world through: Data-Driven Decision Making, Video Platform Development, Recommendation Systems
Kwame was a design leader at Goldman Sachs, Arrival, and McKinsey & Company, where he implemented design thinking to transform products and services. At EY Seren, he focuses on AI integration and improving financial service designs, enhancing UX and business performance.
Changes the world through: Digital Transformation, AI Product Experience, Financial Services Design
Faith has shaped the future of digital banking through her roles at financial leaders like SoFi and Bank of America. With over 20 years in fintech, she champions inclusive design to make banking accessible for everyone.
Changes the world through: Fintech Design, Inclusive Design, Service Design
Tagu’s expertise spans social media, entertainment, and sports platforms. His innovative design approach at companies like Facebook and Disney continues to shape the way we interact with digital worlds.
Changes the world through: 3D Art, User Research, Design Operations
Rachel leads transformative design strategies across finance, travel, and e-commerce, integrating emerging technologies into seamless user experiences. Her leadership experience spans companies like Expedia, Samsung, and Bank of America.
Changes the world through: CX Strategy, Fintech Design, Multi-platform Design
Ryan has honed his craft through roles at Stripe and Adobe, shaping how millions learn languages through intuitive, elegant digital experiences in Duolingo. His approachable design philosophy makes even the most complex technologies accessible.
Changes the world through: Communication Design, Interaction Design, Team Building
Brooke has elevated user experiences in fintech, travel, and media, merging creative vision with practical solutions. Her impact spans from peer-to-peer payments at Cash App to luxury travel experiences at Airbnb.
Changes the world through: Design Strategy, Creative Direction, Interaction Design
With a history at Apple and leadership roles at Slack and Zendesk, Mark has enhanced digital collaboration tools, including iOS and Mac apps. His expertise in UX design and product development has transformed modern communication.
Changes the world through: UX Design Leadership, Communication Technology, Global Team Management
Claudia leads global design strategies at citizenM, combining innovative hospitality concepts with practical design execution. Her background in architecture and retail design, honed at Nike EMEA, drives her vision for creating distinctive guest experiences.
Changes the world through: Hospitality Design, Global Design Strategy, Sustainable Design
Robert’s creative vision has shaped luxury automotive brands like Jaguar Land Rover and McLaren. From the McLaren 720S to the Speedtail, his designs push the boundaries of performance and style, continuing to redefine the luxury automotive industry.
Changes the world through: Automotive Design, Brand Strategy, Industrial Design
Jess oversees product categories ranging from apparel to fragrances, bringing fresh and inclusive perspectives to Calvin Klein’s heritage. Known for her collaborative nature, Jess has worked on high-profile projects like Nike x Sacai, championing sustainable innovation.
Changes the world through: Sports and Fashion Design, Collaborative Design, Purpose-Driven Leadership
Maria brings her expertise in product design and team building to startups, guiding them through design challenges with a blend of creativity and business sense. Her work consistently delivers intuitive user experiences across industries.
Changes the world through: Product Design Leadership, Team Building, Design Strategy
Jenifer brings over two decades of experience to human-centered design solutions, promoting women's leadership in tech. She is known for cultivating inclusive design cultures and balancing innovation with business strategy.
Changes the world through: Design Strategy, Inclusive Design Culture, UX Research & Design
With a background at IBM and Oracle, Arin is focused on making enterprise software more intuitive and human-centred. He integrates AI into design and inspires future tech innovators through his work with nonprofits and design councils.
Changes the world through: AI-driven Design, Enterprise UX, Design Systems
Anita leads Strava's user experience, making fitness tech more inclusive and welcoming. With previous experience at Twitter and Facebook, she’s dedicated to ensuring Strava appeals to a wide range of athletes. When not crafting intuitive apps, Anita advocates for diversity in tech and inspires the next generation of designers.
Сhanges the world through: Product Design Strategy, Design Operations, Diversity and Inclusion in Design
Clara combines her expertise in market research with a passion for customer experience design. She leads diverse teams, fostering a positive work culture and championing thoughtful design that makes a difference. Clara is committed to inspiring the next generation of designers.
Changes the world through: Customer Experience Design, Cultural Transformation, Purpose-Driven Design
Safia Ali
Chief Design Officer at Rayn
Having explored over 70 cities, Safia brings cultural intelligence to her work at Google and eBay. She creates digital products that feel inclusive and resonate across global markets. Safia also inspires other designers to think beyond borders and build products that make life better.
Changes the world through: UX Leadership, User Behavior Change, Cultural Intelligence in Design
From designing shoes as a child to leading Nike’s global design team, John has continuously pushed boundaries in sports product design. His work integrates sustainability, creativity, and collaboration with world-class athletes, shaping the future of sportswear.
Changes the world through Sports Product Design, Global Team Management, Creative Collaborations
Lorenzo started his career as an illustrator and worked his way to Chief Design Officer. His focus on blending design thinking with storytelling has created impactful advertising campaigns for clients like Durex, proving that great design can drive social change.
Changes the world through: Creative Direction, Advertising Design, Design Thinking
Mauro merges design and business through human-centred innovation. As a knight of the Italian Republic and author of The Human Side of Innovation, he is recognized for his contributions to product development and brand strategy worldwide.
Changes the world through: Brand Development, Product Innovation, Cross-Cultural Design
Danielly's journey from graphic design in Brazil to UX leadership in Canada culminates in her current role at Global Relay. She oversees design strategies for complex enterprise software, creating solutions that emphasise usability and efficiency.
Changes the world through: UX Design, Enterprise Software Design, Design Strategy
Janaki is a pioneer in enterprise UX and gamification, driving design-led innovation in the financial world. As a TED speaker and Stanford co-instructor, she’s shaping the future of enterprise design and inspiring the next generation of designers.
Changes the world through: Enterprise UX Design, Gamification, Design-Led Innovation
Chris led design teams at Versett, the Canadian Digital Service, and the UK Ministry of Justice. His work focuses on human-centred design for public services. Currently, Chris is shaping the future of design education at Sheridan College, contributing to the broader design community.
Changes the world through: Public Sector Innovation, Service Design, UX Design
Heather’s career spans top companies like Apple, Adobe, and Capital One. She’s known for creating seamless, user-centric digital products, from banking to airline experiences, with a focus on integrating business strategy with design systems.
Changes the world through: Digital Product Strategy, Business Strategy Integration, Design Systems Development
Chiara is a leader in designing complex product-service ecosystems. With a background in organisations like UBS and UNICEF, she uses design to drive positive social change, making technology feel more human for users around the world.
Changes the world through: Interaction Design, Service Design, Creative Direction
Christina is an expert in creating user-centered solutions for healthcare technology, having worked with industry giants like PayPal and Express Scripts. She’s passionate about elevating design’s role in business strategy to improve complex systems.
Changes the world through: Healthcare Technology, Product Management, UX Design Leadership
During his decade-long tenure at Logitech, Alastair transformed product design by turning user insights into innovative experiences. His expertise spans industrial design and UX, focusing on how technology and fashion can enhance everyday life.
Changes the world through: UX Design Leadership, Interaction Design, Service Design
Mihir has honed his design skills at companies like Samsung and Crompton Greaves, focusing on sustainable design in the TV and lighting industries. His collaborative approach drives his team to create innovative, market-resonating products, enhancing design in India and beyond.
Changes the world through: Product Design, Industrial Design, Design Thinking
With a career in luxury and performance car design at companies like Bugatti Rimac and Qoros Auto, Adriano expertly balances aesthetics with engineering precision. His global experience spans Europe and Asia, informing his innovative approach to automotive design.
Changes the world through: Automotive Design Leadership, Concept Car Design, Strategic Design Management
With over 20 years of experience in UX design, Travis has led teams at Microsoft and Cisco, focusing on making collaboration technology accessible and inclusive. His work merges AI integration with human-centred design to transform workplace tools.
Changes the world through: UX Design, Accessibility and Inclusive Design, AI Integration in Design
Alister’s creative vision has shaped iconic vehicles like the Jaguar F-Type and I-Pace. With roles at Audi, NIO, and Jaguar Land Rover, he now focuses on designing electric vehicles that combine style with digital experiences, inspiring teams with his leadership.
Changes the world through: Automotive Design Leadership, Concept Car Design, Digital Experience Design
Ben is known for pushing creative boundaries across cultures, leading brand-transforming projects throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. His human-centered design approach drives impactful campaigns, solving complex problems with optimism and innovation.
Changes the world through: Brand Design Leadership, Creative Team Management, Cross-Cultural Design
Chris’s career spans design roles at Stellantis, FCA, Volvo, and BMW. Now leading Scout Motors, he’s driving the development of all-electric trucks and SUVs, blending classic design with modern electric technology.
Changes the world through: Automotive Design Leadership, Concept Development, Cross-Cultural Design
Łukasz leads digital product design at Flod and GogoApps, applying over 13 years of experience in UX and research. His work transforms user insights into practical solutions, particularly within fintech, where he creates accessible and organised digital experiences.
Changes the world through: Fintech UX, Digital Product Strategy, User Research
Jenny has driven user-centered design at top tech companies including Google, Lyft, and Airbnb. With a focus on reimagining the way we live and move, she combines strategic vision with a passion for solving user problems.
Changes the world through: Product Strategy, Customer-Centric Design, Strategic Vision Development
Jonny’s expertise in product design, user experience, and emerging technologies like AI has shaped his career. His strategic approach results in innovative solutions that connect users with brands, and his work in team development continues to impact the digital design world.
Changes the world through: Digital Products Design, Interactive Design, Speculative Design
Jason’s career includes key roles at Atlassian and Invoice2go, where he mastered user-centered design and product strategy. His analytical yet creative approach continues to drive meaningful, user-focused products that meet business needs.
Changes the world through: UX Design, Product Strategy, Design Thinking
Duncan’s expertise spans roles at Picsart, Skyscanner, and Shazam, where he crafted engaging user experiences. Now at JioCinema, he blends creativity with business acumen, driving growth through user-centered design and brand development.
Changes the world through: Product Design Strategy, Brand Development, Design Process Optimisation
With the precious experience at Fjord and Wanda Digital, Burcin applies her strategic design expertise at Wio Bank. She focuses on developing user-centred financial solutions, driving service innovation across industries.
Changes the world through: Service Design, Digital Experience Design, Design Thinking
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