Design Empathy 2019
Panelist & Organizing Participation:
Keynote Speaker:
A.J. Paron-Wildes
A globally recognized champion of design empathy and a pioneer in universal design. Author of the groundbreaking Interior Design for Autism book series, her work focuses on how physical environments impact neurodiverse populations. Bringing decades of research, design firm leadership, and corporate expertise, she specializes in creating workspaces that intuitively support sensory, cognitive, and physical needs.
Guest Panelists:
Amber Coffman with Best Buddies and
Sana Rahim with Emerge Consulting
Roxi Rose with Thought Love Community
Sandra Ramirez-Bravo with Ramirez-Bravo Studio
Photographer for Campaign:
Bosun Oshunluyl
From Learning Lab to Live Activation: Championing Design Empathy:
It started as a personal goal of mine after attending the Allsteel Learning Lab: Thrive Lab created by Christina Huang. I wanted to turn abstract conversations about inclusivity into a tangible, industry-wide movement.
To bring this to life, I spearheaded a collaboration between the JLL Women’s Business Network, possABILITIES, and Allsteel. Together, we packed the Downtown Los Angeles showroom for an evening dedicated to a single, powerful question: How can an inclusive design mindset empower everyone to thrive?
The panel featured leading universal design experts, workplace strategists, and advocates. The conversation was grounded by keynote insights from A.J. Paron-Wildes, at the time Allsteel’s renowned universal design expert, alongside a diverse lineup of specialized corporate real estate practitioners including myself and accessibility partners from possABILITIES, featuring Amber Coffman with Best Buddies and Sana Rahim with Emerge Consulting. We didn't just share theories; we discussed real world applications. From accommodating neurodiversity and varying sensory experiences to designing spatial layouts that intuitively support human emotion and physical needs.
The event was an incredible success. By gathering these diverse voices and creating a bold visual campaign around "Design Empathy," we didn't just host a panel, we shifted perspectives. We challenged the industry's traditional "one-size-fits-all" framework and proved that empathetic design is a business imperative that directly drives creativity and human performance.
This project matters because the built environment shapes how people feel, work, and succeed. For me, it stands as proof that a well-executed idea can bridge corporate strategy with genuine human advocacy.
Design Empathy 2019
Panelist & Organizing Participation:
Keynote Speaker:
A.J. Paron-Wildes
A globally recognized champion of design empathy and a pioneer in universal design. Author of the groundbreaking Interior Design for Autism book series, her work focuses on how physical environments impact neurodiverse populations. Bringing decades of research, design firm leadership, and corporate expertise, she specializes in creating workspaces that intuitively support sensory, cognitive, and physical needs.
Guest Panelists:
Amber Coffman with Best Buddies and
Sana Rahim with Emerge Consulting
Roxi Rose with Thought Love Community
Sandra Ramirez-Bravo with Ramirez-Bravo Studio
Photographer for Campaign:
Bosun Oshunluyl
From Learning Lab to Live Activation: Championing Design Empathy:
It started as a personal goal of mine after attending the Allsteel Learning Lab: Thrive Lab created by Christina Huang. I wanted to turn abstract conversations about inclusivity into a tangible, industry-wide movement.
To bring this to life, I spearheaded a collaboration between the JLL Women’s Business Network, possABILITIES, and Allsteel. Together, we packed the Downtown Los Angeles showroom for an evening dedicated to a single, powerful question: How can an inclusive design mindset empower everyone to thrive?
The panel featured leading universal design experts, workplace strategists, and advocates. The conversation was grounded by keynote insights from A.J. Paron-Wildes, at the time Allsteel’s renowned universal design expert, alongside a diverse lineup of specialized corporate real estate practitioners including myself and accessibility partners from possABILITIES, featuring Amber Coffman with Best Buddies and Sana Rahim with Emerge Consulting. We didn't just share theories; we discussed real world applications. From accommodating neurodiversity and varying sensory experiences to designing spatial layouts that intuitively support human emotion and physical needs.
The event was an incredible success. By gathering these diverse voices and creating a bold visual campaign around "Design Empathy," we didn't just host a panel, we shifted perspectives. We challenged the industry's traditional "one-size-fits-all" framework and proved that empathetic design is a business imperative that directly drives creativity and human performance.
This project matters because the built environment shapes how people feel, work, and succeed. For me, it stands as proof that a well-executed idea can bridge corporate strategy with genuine human advocacy.
