Design Leadership
They say good designers aren’t born — they’re made. And in many ways, the same is true of design leaders. My journey into leadership has been a gradual one: starting with guiding interns, moving on to mentoring junior and mid-level designers, and eventually taking on formal responsibilities as a team leader. Along the way, I’ve discovered that leadership is both deeply challenging and incredibly rewarding.
At its core, my approach to leadership has always been about enabling others — creating the space, the tools, and the encouragement for designers to not only succeed in their current roles but to grow into leaders themselves.
Fractal Analytics • Dalberg Design • BRND Studio
Fractal Analytics • Dalberg Design • BRND Studio
Fractal Analytics • Dalberg Design • BRND Studio
Fractal Analytics
Role: Lead Designer for an Account
This was my first formal design leadership role, and also the one that has shaped me the most.
I started small — mentoring interns (always setting the bar at gold standard!) and guiding early-career designers. With time, I took on responsibility for mid-senior team members, managing not just projects but their growth journeys as well.
Contributions over the years
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Designers felt seen and supported at their stage of growth
Increased confidence in decision-making and articulation of design thinking
Stronger sense of belonging and psychological safety within the team
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Reduced Ambiguity Around “what growth looks like”
Shift from passive feedback → proactive ownership of growth
Designers could map their aspirations to concrete next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smoother transitions from intern → contributor
Faster integration into team culture and workflows
Stronger talent pipeline rooted in learning, not hierarchy
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Designers became more self-aware and intentional
Growth conversations evolved from “performance” to “potential”
Increased autonomy and accountability within the team
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Designers felt seen and supported at their stage of growth
Increased confidence in decision-making and articulation of design thinking
Stronger sense of belonging and psychological safety within the team
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Reduced Ambiguity Around “what growth looks like”
Shift from passive feedback → proactive ownership of growth
Designers could map their aspirations to concrete next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smoother transitions from intern → contributor
Faster integration into team culture and workflows
Stronger talent pipeline rooted in learning, not hierarchy
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Designers became more self-aware and intentional
Growth conversations evolved from “performance” to “potential”
Increased autonomy and accountability within the team
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Designers felt seen and supported at their stage of growth
Increased confidence in decision-making and articulation of design thinking
Stronger sense of belonging and psychological safety within the team
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Reduced Ambiguity Around “what growth looks like”
Shift from passive feedback → proactive ownership of growth
Designers could map their aspirations to concrete next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smoother transitions from intern → contributor
Faster integration into team culture and workflows
Stronger talent pipeline rooted in learning, not hierarchy
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Designers became more self-aware and intentional
Growth conversations evolved from “performance” to “potential”
Increased autonomy and accountability within the team
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Designers felt seen and supported at their stage of growth
Increased confidence in decision-making and articulation of design thinking
Stronger sense of belonging and psychological safety within the team
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Reduced Ambiguity Around “what growth looks like”
Shift from passive feedback → proactive ownership of growth
Designers could map their aspirations to concrete next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smoother transitions from intern → contributor
Faster integration into team culture and workflows
Stronger talent pipeline rooted in learning, not hierarchy
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Designers became more self-aware and intentional
Growth conversations evolved from “performance” to “potential”
Increased autonomy and accountability within the team
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Designers felt seen and supported at their stage of growth
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Stronger sense of belonging and psychological safety within the team
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Reduced Ambiguity Around “what growth looks like”
Shift from passive feedback → proactive ownership of growth
Designers could map their aspirations to concrete next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smoother transitions from intern → contributor
Faster integration into team culture and workflows
Stronger talent pipeline rooted in learning, not hierarchy
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Designers became more self-aware and intentional
Growth conversations evolved from “performance” to “potential”
Increased autonomy and accountability within the team
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Designers felt seen and supported at their stage of growth
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Stronger sense of belonging and psychological safety within the team
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Reduced Ambiguity Around “what growth looks like”
Shift from passive feedback → proactive ownership of growth
Designers could map their aspirations to concrete next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smoother transitions from intern → contributor
Faster integration into team culture and workflows
Stronger talent pipeline rooted in learning, not hierarchy
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Designers became more self-aware and intentional
Growth conversations evolved from “performance” to “potential”
Increased autonomy and accountability within the team
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Designers felt seen and supported at their stage of growth
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Stronger sense of belonging and psychological safety within the team
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Reduced Ambiguity Around “what growth looks like”
Shift from passive feedback → proactive ownership of growth
Designers could map their aspirations to concrete next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smoother transitions from intern → contributor
Faster integration into team culture and workflows
Stronger talent pipeline rooted in learning, not hierarchy
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Designers became more self-aware and intentional
Growth conversations evolved from “performance” to “potential”
Increased autonomy and accountability within the team
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Designers felt seen and supported at their stage of growth
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Stronger sense of belonging and psychological safety within the team
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Reduced Ambiguity Around “what growth looks like”
Shift from passive feedback → proactive ownership of growth
Designers could map their aspirations to concrete next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smoother transitions from intern → contributor
Faster integration into team culture and workflows
Stronger talent pipeline rooted in learning, not hierarchy
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Designers became more self-aware and intentional
Growth conversations evolved from “performance” to “potential”
Increased autonomy and accountability within the team
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Felt supported at every growth stage
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Increased belonging & psychological safety
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Clear and visible growth paths
Ownership over personal growth
Aspirations translated into next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smooth intern-to-contributor transition
Faster team and culture integration
Learning-led talent pipeline
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Higher self-awareness & intent
Shift from performance to potential
Greater autonomy & accountability
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Felt supported at every growth stage
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Increased belonging & psychological safety
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Clear and visible growth paths
Ownership over personal growth
Aspirations translated into next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smooth intern-to-contributor transition
Faster team and culture integration
Learning-led talent pipeline
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Higher self-awareness & intent
Shift from performance to potential
Greater autonomy & accountability
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Felt supported at every growth stage
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Increased belonging & psychological safety
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Clear and visible growth paths
Ownership over personal growth
Aspirations translated into next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smooth intern-to-contributor transition
Faster team and culture integration
Learning-led talent pipeline
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Higher self-awareness & intent
Shift from performance to potential
Greater autonomy & accountability
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Felt supported at every growth stage
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Increased belonging & psychological safety
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Clear and visible growth paths
Ownership over personal growth
Aspirations translated into next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smooth intern-to-contributor transition
Faster team and culture integration
Learning-led talent pipeline
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Higher self-awareness & intent
Shift from performance to potential
Greater autonomy & accountability
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Felt supported at every growth stage
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Increased belonging & psychological safety
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Clear and visible growth paths
Ownership over personal growth
Aspirations translated into next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smooth intern-to-contributor transition
Faster team and culture integration
Learning-led talent pipeline
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Higher self-awareness & intent
Shift from performance to potential
Greater autonomy & accountability
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Felt supported at every growth stage
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Increased belonging & psychological safety
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Clear and visible growth paths
Ownership over personal growth
Aspirations translated into next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smooth intern-to-contributor transition
Faster team and culture integration
Learning-led talent pipeline
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Higher self-awareness & intent
Shift from performance to potential
Greater autonomy & accountability
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Felt supported at every growth stage
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Increased belonging & psychological safety
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Clear and visible growth paths
Ownership over personal growth
Aspirations translated into next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smooth intern-to-contributor transition
Faster team and culture integration
Learning-led talent pipeline
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Higher self-awareness & intent
Shift from performance to potential
Greater autonomy & accountability
Mentorship Across Levels
Mentored designers across levels — from interns to mid-senior designers — adapting mentorship styles to individual motivations, confidence levels, and career journeys.
Impact
Felt supported at every growth stage
Stronger design confidence & clarity
Increased belonging & psychological safety
Career Clarity & Progression
Designed and implemented growth and development plans, transition frameworks, career paths, and documentation practices.
Impact
Clear and visible growth paths
Ownership over personal growth
Aspirations translated into next steps
Inclusive Growth Systems
Built structured systems for inclusion and growth through: intern program (currently managing for the BxD team), thoughtful onboarding journeys, structured mentorship models
Impact
Smooth intern-to-contributor transition
Faster team and culture integration
Learning-led talent pipeline
Leadership & Self-Reflection Tools
Developed leadership frameworks and programs that encouraged designers to reflect, take ownership, and actively define their growth paths.
Impact
Higher self-awareness & intent
Shift from performance to potential
Greater autonomy & accountability
Key Learnings
Growth and structure matter
Inspiration must be paired with systems that help people feel comfortable, supported, and stretched.
Impact defines success
If a designer can independently create value and impact, leadership has done its job.
Leadership has no age or bar
Mentoring can happen across levels, sideways, and even upwards.
Growth and structure matter
Inspiration must be paired with systems that help people feel comfortable, supported, and stretched.
Impact defines success
If a designer can independently create value and impact, leadership has done its job.
Leadership has no age or bar
Mentoring can happen across levels, sideways, and even upwards.
Growth and structure matter
Inspiration must be paired with systems that help people feel comfortable, supported, and stretched.
Impact defines success
If a designer can independently create value and impact, leadership has done its job.
Leadership has no age or bar
Mentoring can happen across levels, sideways, and even upwards.
Reflection
This role has been fulfilling not just because of what I’ve been able to create, but because of what I’ve been able to learn from others’ journeys, their resilience, and their unique ways of approaching growth.
Dalberg Design
Role: Design Researcher & Communication Designer
Dalberg was where I picked up cues and methods for mentorship. I saw firsthand how mentorship styles can differ — some rooted in structure, others in inspiration — and I drew inspiration for my own approach.
BRND Studio
Role: Design Researcher
At BRND, leadership emerged organically. I found myself mentoring junior colleagues, giving me my first taste of the joy and responsibility of guiding someone else’s growth journey.
Areas of Growth
Like design itself, leadership is a practice — and mine is still evolving. Some areas I am actively working on include:
Balancing empathy with tough decisions
Ensuring fairness and clarity without losing the human touch.
Scaling leadership impact
Moving from one-on-one mentorship to building scalable systems that nurture many designers at once.
Strengthening influence at organizational level
Ensuring design leadership has a voice not just within the team, but at strategic decision-making tables.
Balancing empathy with tough decisions
Ensuring fairness and clarity without losing the human touch.
Scaling leadership impact
Moving from one-on-one mentorship to building scalable systems that nurture many designers at once.
Strengthening influence at organizational level
Ensuring design leadership has a voice not just within the team, but at strategic decision-making tables.
Reflection
Looking back, I feel immense gratitude for the mentors, teachers, and managers — both formal and informal — who guided me so generously. Their influence has given me the confidence to stand on my own two feet, and more importantly, the conviction to help others do the same.
