Meet the HUMANS
Mike Simpson
Creative Human
Santa Monica, California
Alex Smith
Design Patterns Partner
NYC, USA
Hristos Varouhas
Strategic Partner
Sydney, Australia
Jennifer Burgos
Content Strategy Partner
Abergavenny, UK
Joel Uden
Content Human
London, UK
Andor Ivan
Visualisation Human
London, UK
Remy Bourganel
Metadesign & Strategy Human
Paris, France
Carl Alviani
Content Human
Glasgow, UK
Simon Waterfall
Creative Partner
Berkeley, USA
Daniel Janoff
Creative Human
NYC, USA
Simon Walker
Photo Human
London, UK
Chris Sams
Product Design Human
Norwich, UK
Kyle Duncan
Technology Human
London, UK
Kevin Farnham
Experience Design Partner
San Francisco, USA
Paul Bean
Design Human
Santa Barbara, USA
Ale Lariu
Creative Partner
London, UK
Rick Palmer
Growth Partner
Cirencester, UK
Miranda Van Gendt
Strategy Human
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Marga Arrom Bibiloni
Brand & Creative Partner
London, UK
Alexie Sommer
Sustainable Design Human
Biarritz, France
Dr. Katie Van Horne
Research Human
Seattle, USA
Howard Moggs
Growth Partner
Melbourne, Australia
Emily Pola
Commercial Partner
Orlando, USA
Julia Plowman
Brand Purpose Partner
Portland, USA
Rob Noble
Founder & Client Partner
London, UK
Mark Hicks
Design Research Partner
Bristol, UK
Jason Mesut
Design Partner
London, UK
Suzie Webb
Design Human
Oslo, Norway
Stefan Boublil
Brand Event Specialist & Creative Partner
New Hope, USA
Kat Egan
Growth Partner
Hudson, NY, USA
Duncan Madden
Content Human
Köln, Germany
Thu Do
Digital Design Human
NYC, USA
Terry Virts
Astro Human
Houston, USA
Sergio Brodsky
Brand & Foresight Strategist
Melbourne, Australia
Kevin Godley
Creative Polymath Human
Dublin, Ireland
Joe Whelan
Design Human
Manchester, UK
Emilie Chen
Creative Human
London, UK
Flo Fantinel
Product Design Human
London, UK
Jan Golding
Experience Design Human
London, UK
Jack Penate
Musician & Creative Human
London, UK
Bryan Sayle
Operations Partner
Halifax, Canada
Sarah Kay
Brand Future Human
Oregon, USA
Michael Dila
Strategy Human
Toronto, Canada
Vassoula Vasiliou
Creative Partner
Miami, USA
Gina Soloperto
Behavior Design Strategist
NYC, USA
Gary Hoff
Creative Partner
Dubai, UAE
Sean Reynolds
Creative Partner
Brooklyn, USA
Kerry Kelley
Producer
Cambridge, UK
Rob Ferneyhough
Creative Human
London, UK
Joe Federer
Social Strategy Partner
St. Louis, USA
Henny Swan
Accessibility & Inclusion Human
Brighton, UK
Alexandra Jugović
Creative Human
London, UK
Lisa deBettencourt
Design Strategy Human
Boston, USA
Suki Fuller
Analytical Storyteller
London, UK
Matthew Cockerill
Design & Product Strategy Partner
London, UK
Dilly Gent
Creative Director & Producer
Los Angeles, USA
Caroline Cockerham
Textile Human
Wilmington, USA
Clare Townhill
Strategy Partner
Bruton, UK
Lasse Lindqvist
Strategy & Sustainability Human
Helsinki, Finland
Vic Kirk-Owal
Strategy & Innovation Partner
London, UK
Mundhir Eltahir
Design Human
Dubai, UAE
Adrian Barrow
Strategic Partner
Los Angeles, USA
Peter Drake
Creative Partner
London, UK
Shea Gonyo
Developer Human
Cincinnati, USA
Nicolas Ronco
Strategic Human
Paris, France
Rob Lawrence
Creative & Strategy Partner
London, UK
Tim Rodgers
Product Strategy Human
NYC, USA
Mehrad Noori
XR Producer
Los Angeles, USA
Nicola Pickup
Producer
Windermere, UK
Florian Schmitt
Creative Partner
London, UK
Tom Klimovski
Coding Human
Melbourne, Australia
Mike Simpson
Creative Human
Santa Monica, California
Superpower
Developmental Vision
Traits valued in others
Kindness, humility, courage, gumption
Passionate about
Spending time with my kids
Favourite food
Yakitori Tebasaki
Fun fact
I lived in Tokyo for 10 years
Career highlight
Commissioning and working with Syd Mead
Most annoying thing
Using a car horn unnecessarily
Alex Smith
Design Patterns Partner
NYC, USA
Superpower
Pattern Recognition
Traits valued in others
Authenticity
Passionate about
Abstraction
Favourite food
Fat
Fun fact
Built and sold Red Boxes in high school
Career highlight
Building a computational model that outputs chairs
Most annoying thing
Building features when we should be building foundations
Hristos Varouhas
Strategic Partner
Sydney, Australia
Superpower
Crafting Holistic Brand Strategies on Global Brands
Traits valued in others
Honesty, thoughtfulness, humour, sharing food
Passionate about
Being present in my kids everyday lives
Favourite food
Fasoulakia
Fun fact
I've got 3 passports (NZL, Greek, Aussie) but lack the moves of Jason Bourne
Career highlight
Running global brand strategy on Apple for Media Arts Lab
Most annoying thing
Dishes not being rinsed before being neatly placed in the dishwasher!
Jennifer Burgos
Content Strategy Partner
Abergavenny, UK
Superpower
Building relationships
Traits valued in others
Transparency, Loyalty, Passion, Humour, Risk taker, Kind & Kind
Passionate about
Understanding and learning what people want, helping them achieve that and of course - bread
Favourite food
Purple Sprouting Broccoli Salad with Tahini dressing and walnuts
Fun fact
Speak 5 languages
Career highlight
Getting David Beckham animated into a Scooby Doo Episode for Adidas, as a way of selling more trainers !
Most annoying thing
Rushing
Joel Uden
Content Human
London, UK
Superpower
Clarity
Traits valued in others
Honesty
Passionate about
Sports cars and motorcycles (with a penchant for Italian)
Favourite food
Sushi and jerk chicken (but never together)
Fun fact
I've volunteered as a Police Officer with London's Met for many years
Career highlight
Getting into the D&AD annual twice for my copywriting
Most annoying thing
Dreadful pedantry
Andor Ivan
Visualisation Human
London, UK
Superpower
ADHD
Traits valued in others
Openness combined with vivid imagination
Passionate about
New Technologies, Cars and Photo equipment, Homemade pasta
Favourite food
Pasta.
Fun fact
Elton John asked staff to call an ambulance for me as a child due to concussion
Career highlight
Full screen visuals on Times Square and Piccadilly circus paired with a couple of double spread articles in different magazines.
Most annoying thing
Speed and budget limits
Remy Bourganel
Metadesign & Strategy Human
Paris, France
Superpower
Models
Traits valued in others
Genuine interest for care and impact. Desire to challenge the status quo.
Passionate about
Autopoiesis/system dynamics, from purpose to impact.
Favourite food
Duck breast with honey sauce and balsamic vinegar
Fun fact
As comfortable playing gipsy jazz then pipe organ.
Career highlight
Nokia, Insights & Innovation, exploratory design research, AI generative framework.
Most annoying thing
Ego.
Carl Alviani
Content Human
Glasgow, UK
Superpower
Curiosity
Traits valued in others
Ability to fail successfully
Passionate about
Urban infrastructure
Favourite food
Vietnamese
Fun fact
Plays bluegrass banjo
Career highlight
The entirety of my Peace Corps service
Most annoying thing
Fundamental Attribution Error
Simon Waterfall
Creative Partner
Berkeley, USA
Superpower
Talking
Traits valued in others
Passion
Passionate about
Not repeating myself
Favourite food
Sushi
Fun fact
Planned to be in silicon valley for 2 years
Career highlight
Tomorrows challenge
Most annoying thing
When i am late and its my fault
Daniel Janoff
Creative Human
NYC, USA
Superpower
Writing the campaign strategy AND the campaign copy.
Traits valued in others
Honesty and Openness
Passionate about
Music that I haven’t heard yet
Favourite food
33-cent ramen
Fun fact
I put a disco floor into my dining room
Career highlight
When I was 18 I did some Ghostwriting for America’s Most Wanted
Most annoying thing
People who talk too much. Mercy!
Simon Walker
Photo Human
London, UK
Superpower
Organised. Proper, annoyingly, organised.
Traits valued in others
Generosity
Passionate about
Sport. Particularly Chelsea FC
Favourite food
Sashimi
Fun fact
I've shared a beer with Mandela and had tea with Margaret Thatcher.
Career highlight
Being blown up in a bomb blast.
Most annoying thing
Lateness
Chris Sams
Product Design Human
Norwich, UK
Superpower
A calm and considered approach.
Traits valued in others
When people ask for help.
Passionate about
Exploring the globe off the beaten track.
Favourite food
Sushi, Curry
Fun fact
I once rode a bike from Southern Spain to the UK, and caught a train to Singapore.
Career highlight
Living and working in 5 countries.
Most annoying thing
Buzz words, plus a lack of transparency in a project.
Kyle Duncan
Technology Human
London, UK
Superpower
Speed without sacrificing attention to detail
Traits valued in others
Kindness
Passionate about
Humanity
Favourite food
Middle Eastern
Fun fact
Always skeptical, never cynical
Career highlight
Joining Group of Humans (obviously!)
Most annoying thing
Misanthropy
Kevin Farnham
Experience Design Partner
San Francisco, USA
Superpower
Business transformation through design
Traits valued in others
Authenticity
Passionate about
Systems thinking
Favourite food
Anything from my garden
Fun fact
I have a chair addiction
Career highlight
TED. Chris Anderson had an enormous vision for spreading ideas across the world. We helped him achieve that. It was the experience of a lifetime.
Most annoying thing
Predictable design solutions
Paul Bean
Design Human
Santa Barbara, USA
Superpower
An eye as accurate as a spirit level
Traits valued in others
Integrity
Passionate about
Great craft
Favourite food
A traditional Sunday roast (w/ all the trimmings!)
Fun fact
Passionate club cyclist
Career highlight
Taking The Brain Tumour Charity from £2m to £15m+
Most annoying thing
Tardiness
Ale Lariu
Creative Partner
London, UK
Superpower
Connection
Traits valued in others
Presence
Passionate about
Women's rights and music documentaries
Favourite food
Smoked trout
Fun fact
I’m used to swim and sail competitively. I was in a band and appeared on MTV.
Career highlight
being number 29 out of the 100 most creative people in business beating Tom Ford, Jamie Oliver and the founder of Four Square
Most annoying thing
Mansplaning
Rick Palmer
Growth Partner
Cirencester, UK
Superpower
Relentless determination, positivity and staying power
Traits valued in others
Loyalty, passion, creativity, positivity
Passionate about
People
Favourite food
Anything Italian
Fun fact
I have my own tree on the Chelsea Embankment
Career highlight
Following Prince on stage in NY to collect my Webby Award
Most annoying thing
Arrogance
Miranda Van Gendt
Strategy Human
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Superpower
Creatively surprising humans with their own superpowers for impact the world could really use some more of right now
Traits valued in others
Curiousity, drive, openness, playfulness, humbleness, warmth, radical honesty and guts to be a 360 human
Passionate about
Next level vibes, systems and solutions for all life to have a chance at a brighter future on this pretty planet
Favourite food
Lush (vegan) cheese nacho's with all the goodies on top, anything with rhubarb and chunks of homemade paradise bars
Fun fact
Mini people, groceries, sticks, feathers, shoes and toys juggler on an Amsterdam cargo bike. Daily.
Career highlight
Switching from brand to agency side, without picking sides. Still hired by both.
Most annoying thing
She's a real life Duracell bunny and extremely hard to bore
Marga Arrom Bibiloni
Brand & Creative Partner
London, UK
Superpower
Passionate about building brands people want to spend time with.
Traits valued in others
Vision, curiosity and integrity
Passionate about
Today, and tomorrow.
Favourite food
Carbonara
Fun fact
I’m synesthetic - you might be light green
Career highlight
Excitement. Happens every time I embark in a new interesting project.
Most annoying thing
I burn the porridge most mornings
Alexie Sommer
Sustainable Design Human
Biarritz, France
Superpower
Intuition & single line sketching
Traits valued in others
Clear & authentic communication, holding & delivering a vision, Curious with a good sense of humour.
Passionate about
Deep culture, environmental & social impact, getting into nature, and tuning into the zeitgeist.
Favourite food
Grilled Lasbordes Pays Basque hazelnuts…. chips & beer comes a close second.
Fun fact
Grew up running down sand dunes.
Career highlight
Latest highlight is bringing Design Declares to life
Most annoying thing
Style without substance
Dr. Katie Van Horne
Research Human
Seattle, USA
Superpower
Designing for learning
Traits valued in others
Humble, Inquisitive, Connected
Passionate about
Creating experiences for learning, collaborative design, and equity in our systems
Favourite food
Crusty bread with butter
Fun fact
I am a twin parent
Career highlight
Impacting the science learning experiences of tens of thousands of school age children across the U.S. through open-source instructional materials.
Most annoying thing
Will tell you about my dog and her daily activities
Howard Moggs
Growth Partner
Melbourne, Australia
Superpower
The Law of Attraction
Traits valued in others
People that are uninhibitedly themselves
Passionate about
Derby County
Favourite food
Pizza
Fun fact
I played for Robbie Williams football team in LA
Career highlight
Moving from London to Los Angeles to open the first U.S. office for Ralph&Co. in 2008.
Most annoying thing
I drum on everything
Emily Pola
Commercial Partner
Orlando, USA
Superpower
Multitasking
Traits valued in others
Honesty, Patience, Diligence, Optimism
Passionate about
Finding solutions and delivering success
Favourite food
Ribs
Fun fact
.
Career highlight
Taking the reins of my own company
Most annoying thing
Way too particular
Julia Plowman
Brand Purpose Partner
Portland, USA
Superpower
I have two: 1. I'm a connector and relationship builder; I can use both my left and right brain. I connect people and ideas. 2. My positive energy. I always see opportunity.
Traits valued in others
Honesty, intelligence and humor
Passionate about
Learning and experiencing new things
Favourite food
My mom's cheese grits
Fun fact
As Senior Class President at Wellesley College, I orchestrated the meeting of Barbara Bush and Raisa Gorbachev at commencement and was a central voice in the controversial, global conversation about women's empowerment.
Career highlight
So far? Leading the strategic and creative development of the Girl Effect; capturing the attention of the world's corporate and government leaders, cultural icons and the public and increasing direct investment 10x for adolescent girls to break generational poverty.
Most annoying thing
I like momentum. I find it annoying when work stalls.
Rob Noble
Founder & Client Partner
London, UK
Superpower
A combination of persuasion & bringing people together
Traits valued in others
Authenticity, Loyalty, Social, Grit, Humorous, Kindness
Passionate about
Liverpool Football Club and visiting places I've never been
Favourite food
Japanese
Fun fact
I had lived in 39 places I called home by the time I was 39
Career highlight
Founding and building three globally renowned Creative Businesses
Most annoying thing
Being asked for passwords every 30 mins of my day
Mark Hicks
Design Research Partner
Bristol, UK
Superpower
Working with people to find the hidden opportunities, understand the important questions
Traits valued in others
Tolerance
Passionate about
Using wind and water for fun and energy
Favourite food
Italian anything
Fun fact
remove all the physical space between sub-atomic particles and the world and everything in it would collapse to the size of a basket ball - heavy though !
Career highlight
Using qual and quant behavioural research insight to design and launch the worlds first subscription, 'track on demand' music streaming service, way before Spotify thought about it.
Most annoying thing
scientific-evidence deniers
Jason Mesut
Design Partner
London, UK
Superpower
Multi-dimensional critical thinking
Traits valued in others
Integrity, curiosity, clarity
Passionate about
Design, Coaching, Futures
Favourite food
A good old Indian Curry
Fun fact
My parents run the longest running waterbed business in UK
Career highlight
Speaking on stage at Interaction conference in Amsterdam
Most annoying thing
Fixed perspectives
Suzie Webb
Design Human
Oslo, Norway
Superpower
Making the invisible, visible
Traits valued in others
Honesty, bravery, humour
Passionate about
Imagination, the human as a part of nature, creativity
Favourite food
My own woodfired pizzas
Fun fact
I'm "nominatively determined". Suzie Web(b)
Career highlight
When I first realised I didn't have the Sunday fear anymore
Most annoying thing
Clumsy emojis
Stefan Boublil
Brand Event Specialist & Creative Partner
New Hope, USA
Superpower
Giving a shit
Traits valued in others
Curiosity
Passionate about
The Hero’s Journey
Favourite food
Chocolate
Fun fact
Got 6 Pfizer shots and now I can see 15 seconds into the future.
Career highlight
Recording an album and writing a book concurrently.
Most annoying thing
Not eating chocolate.
Kat Egan
Growth Partner
Hudson, NY, USA
Superpower
Connecting people to other people, solutions and new possibilities that elevate what they thought was possible.
Traits valued in others
Kindness, focused attention, curiosity, exploration, creativity, playfulness
Passionate about
Reconnecting people to work & values that resonate – and nature!
Favourite food
Butter
Fun fact
I studied pre-Veterinarian Medicine in college
Career highlight
Traveling for 3 weeks throughout Peru, speaking Spanish exclusively, with black Peruvian singer Susana Baca, while working with David Byrne and his recording label.
Most annoying thing
Stubbornness
Duncan Madden
Content Human
Köln, Germany
Superpower
The written word (though I’d like it to be flying)
Traits valued in others
Empathy, candour, humour
Passionate about
Immersion (physically, mentally, spiritually)
Favourite food
Changes with each new week (currently königsberger klopse)
Fun fact
I talk to myself out loud all the time – it's cathartic and helps me work through problems
Career highlight
Being approached by Hodder & Stoughton to publish my first book 'Found in Translation: The Unexpected Origins of Place Names'
Most annoying thing
Wilful ignorance, discrimination and mosquitoes
Thu Do
Digital Design Human
NYC, USA
Superpower
Walking between Design, Technology, and Strategy in an ever-changing environment
Traits valued in others
Honesty
Passionate about
Equality and freedom of expression
Favourite food
Cajun 'the boil'
Fun fact
Had a rap band, obsessed about dinosaurs
Career highlight
Start and launch my own startup
Most annoying thing
Relentlessly curious
Terry Virts
Astro Human
Houston, USA
Superpower
Floating in weightlessness
Traits valued in others
Down to Earth nature, reliability
Passionate about
Democracy, energy, politics, exploration
Favourite food
Pasta
Fun fact
Did a cameo in the TV series Star Trek Enterprise. I also took the most ever still photographs from space, they tell me over 319,000.
Career highlight
Helping to film the IMAX movie A Beautiful Planet while in space on the ISS
Most annoying thing
Saying you'll do something and then not doing it
Sergio Brodsky
Brand & Foresight Strategist
Melbourne, Australia
Superpower
Original thinking and precise execution
Traits valued in others
Intelligence, sense of humour, integrity, connectedness
Passionate about
Culture, current affairs, brand marketing & enterprise branding, movies, travel, exercise and a good roof
Favourite food
Steak. Medium-rare.
Fun fact
I'm somewhat related to Nobel Prize Laureate (literature) Joseph Brodsky
Career highlight
Being listed an Agenda Contributor to the World Economic Forum
Most annoying thing
Having to deal with subjective opinions that undermine the objectivity of effectiveness
Kevin Godley
Creative Polymath Human
Dublin, Ireland
Superpower
Unfeterred imagination
Traits valued in others
Patience, passion, a sense of humour, open mindedness, a strong work ethic, lack of ego.
Passionate about
Generally: Innovation. In Music / film / Art / Writing / tech. Specifically: Making things that don't exist yet.
Favourite food
Vegetarian, in any shape or form
Fun fact
I won a silver medal for full-bore pistol shooting. {Just call me Dirty Kevvy.)
Career highlight
One World One Voice - ZOO TV outside broadcast - Muscle Memory
Most annoying thing
The increasing number of convoluted protocols needed to access data online.
Joe Whelan
Design Human
Manchester, UK
Superpower
Photographic Memory
Traits valued in others
Honesty, genuine, loyalty, compassion, empathy, hard working, humble, common sense.
Passionate about
My family, design, music, classic films, classic box sets, good food, good wine.
Favourite food
Chinese, indian, Thai, Italian, Greek, Sunday roast.
Fun fact
I was in a band in the 90's called the YAYA's. Oasis supported the YAYA's in Oldham and our bass player joined them on tour.
Career highlight
jkrowling.com
Most annoying thing
Unfairness, dishonesty
Emilie Chen
Creative Human
London, UK
Superpower
empathy
Traits valued in others
passion
Passionate about
art, design
Favourite food
Mi Fen
Fun fact
Half French and Half Taiwanese
Career highlight
Landing my dream job at the National Theatre in 2014
Most annoying thing
Water inside your shoes
Flo Fantinel
Product Design Human
London, UK
Superpower
Passion, empathy & meditation
Traits valued in others
Kindness, transparency and a good sense of humour
Passionate about
Travel, nature and design
Favourite food
Difficult decision, but the Italian cuisine transports me back to my roots and surely makes me feel at home
Fun fact
I’ve been a Wine Angel in California, which might explain my devotion to wine
Career highlight
The fervent London tech startup scene makes me feel upbeat. Since I became a freelancer, I had multiple opportunities to work with entrepreneurs to build dreams from scratch, whilst creating positive impact to the users.
Most annoying thing
Arrogance and lack of communication
Jan Golding
Experience Design Human
London, UK
Superpower
Logical problem solving
Traits valued in others
Honesty, Modesty, Sense of Humour
Passionate about
Dungeons & Dragons, Skiing, Walking
Favourite food
A good burger!
Fun fact
I used to be in a metal band and had long blond hair (those were the days!)
Career highlight
Founding and running an award-winning creative agency with a strong focus on culture
Most annoying thing
Inability to sleep when my brain's too busy
Jack Penate
Musician & Creative Human
London, UK
Superpower
Creating three part harmonies
Traits valued in others
Honesty and compassion
Passionate about
Drawing and painting
Favourite food
Chinese
Fun fact
I was brought on stage by Missy Eliot as a teen and did the worm across the stage.
Career highlight
Playing The Other Stage at Glastonbury
Most annoying thing
Will bore you about ancient history
Bryan Sayle
Operations Partner
Halifax, Canada
Superpower
Reading the room
Traits valued in others
adventure, empathy, story telling
Passionate about
Simplicity, removing obstruction
Favourite food
Malpeque Bay Oysters
Fun fact
I don't know everyone in Canada.
Career highlight
Too many to list.
Most annoying thing
People standing on escalators
Sarah Kay
Brand Future Human
Oregon, USA
Superpower
Helping people think differently about what's possible.
Traits valued in others
Kindness, Curiosity, Courage, Creativity, Growth Mindset.
Passionate about
Learning (anything) and Creating A Bold Future.
Favourite food
Indian.
Fun fact
I'm a certified Life Coach (CPCC).
Career highlight
Exploring the impact and potential of the Nike Brand around the world. Spending time defining the intersection of Brand, Innovation and Sustainability.
Most annoying thing
Trying to fold my deflated stand-up paddle-board to put it back in its bag...
Michael Dila
Strategy Human
Toronto, Canada
Superpower
Connection and Conversation
Traits valued in others
Integrity & Generosity
Passionate about
Food
Favourite food
Lamb Rogan Josh
Fun fact
Married to someone I went to kindergarten with
Career highlight
Building the innovation community, Overlap
Most annoying thing
Not easily annoyed
Vassoula Vasiliou
Creative Partner
Miami, USA
Superpower
360 degree overview
Traits valued in others
Trustworthy, Respectulness, Passionate, Driven,
Passionate about
Travel, culture and a mean espresso
Favourite food
Japanese
Fun fact
Owned a 1969 VW KarmannGhia for 18 yrs! Called the yellow submarine! Looking to replace it…
Career highlight
Moving to San Francisco and reconencting with Fitch, to be a VP, growing and running their new design studio. Growing the teams from 11 to 50+ multidisciplinary designers.
Most annoying thing
Procrastination
Gina Soloperto
Behavior Design Strategist
NYC, USA
Superpower
Super-connector of people and resources to viable solutions
Traits valued in others
Integrity, humility, compassion, passion, openness, balance, intention
Passionate about
Creating inclusive experiences, sense of belonging
Favourite food
anything but beets and pickles
Fun fact
I became an Ironman athlete in my 30's with no prior athletic experience.
Career highlight
Under Armour Youth Project, cracking a critical narrative and positioning for GenZ
Most annoying thing
I'm often 5 minutes late
Gary Hoff
Creative Partner
Dubai, UAE
Superpower
Absolute concentration even when chaos is all around
Traits valued in others
Compassion, vision, higher purpose, humour, creativity and sharing
Passionate about
Art, painting, architecture, underground house music, people and Portsmouth Football Club
Favourite food
Steak with Spinach, Dim Sum, Jamón Iberico, Figs and yoghurt
Fun fact
I am the last of 10 children. My grand father was a Victoria born in 1892. I carried on this Victorian tradition and started part-time work at 12 working as builders apprentice.
Career highlight
Working at Apple and getting an email from Steve Jobs to say well done on a project.
Most annoying thing
Up speak it has infected so much of our culture. I want to help people to make statements instead of constantly asking questions. Close second Buzz word bingo and Jargon it's just exhausting.
Sean Reynolds
Creative Partner
Brooklyn, USA
Superpower
Making the complicated simple
Traits valued in others
Equal measures of Fun, Curiosity & Passion
Passionate about
Football (soccer), Travel, T-Shirts, and Whiskey
Favourite food
Seafood & Curry (but never at the same time)
Fun fact
Age 7, I had a picture featured on the Take Hart Gallery (UK kids TV show)
Career highlight
Building a successful Creative Agency.
Most annoying thing
Marketing Jargon (Bullshit), while tangled cables are also a pet hate.
Kerry Kelley
Producer
Cambridge, UK
Superpower
Helping teams get the job done
Traits valued in others
Ability to distill down what is actually important and impact it
Passionate about
Farming and helping farms diversify
Favourite food
Italian
Fun fact
I grew up a beach bum in California
Career highlight
Designing the initial Genius Bar App used in every Apple store around the world with 2 other people
Most annoying thing
Wasting time
Rob Ferneyhough
Creative Human
London, UK
Superpower
Storytelling
Traits valued in others
Honesty, open-mindedness, fearlessness, perspective and humour
Passionate about
Arsenal FC
Favourite food
Vietnamese
Fun fact
Oliver Reed nicknamed me Trotsky
Career highlight
Meeting Oliver Reed
Most annoying thing
My dog
Joe Federer
Social Strategy Partner
St. Louis, USA
Superpower
Internet dorkdom
Traits valued in others
Empathy
Passionate about
Psychology
Favourite food
Medium-rare burger topped with a fried egg (trust me)
Fun fact
My first "social network" was a test-based online roleplaying game called Dragonrealms
Career highlight
Seeing client work hit the Front Page of Reddit organically
Most annoying thing
Buzzword salad
Henny Swan
Accessibility & Inclusion Human
Brighton, UK
Superpower
TBD
Traits valued in others
Honesty, clarity, inclusivity
Passionate about
Wild swimming
Favourite food
Chinese hotpot and any authentic Chinese food.
Fun fact
I used to do voiceovers for kids TV when I lived in China.
Career highlight
Participating in meetings at the United Nations
Most annoying thing
Document finders
Alexandra Jugović
Creative Human
London, UK
Superpower
Intuition, creativity, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, resourcefulness and passion.
Traits valued in others
Authenticity, kindness, passion, creativity and sense of humour.
Passionate about
I am passionate about exploring the essence of what it means to be human now, designing experiences that connect Art, Technology, and Humans.
Favourite food
Figs! They taste best eaten straight off the tree, ideally still warm from the sun.
Fun fact
I have a brown belt in Karate, and I am a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher: www.unifiedkundalini.yoga
Career highlight
Building and running the iconic agency Hi-ReS in London (later also in Berlin and NY) before its acquisition by the Syzygy Group (WPP). I oversaw the transition, maintaining our established culture, remaining Creative Director, and bringing Hi-ReS! Design concepts to SYZYGY Group's own brands.
Most annoying thing
Not really getting annoyed, won't give anyone this power over me ;)
Lisa deBettencourt
Design Strategy Human
Boston, USA
Superpower
empathy and connecting dots, systems, and people
Traits valued in others
humility, wit, humor, patience, kindness, open mindedness
Passionate about
healthcare as a human right, equality, and sustainability
Favourite food
chocolate
Fun fact
I’m a huge heavy metal fan 🤘🏼
Career highlight
Co-founding IxDA and IxDA Boston (which I ran for 7 years)
Most annoying thing
arrogance and misogyny
Suki Fuller
Analytical Storyteller
London, UK
Superpower
Can tell the story of data making it understandable for all.
Traits valued in others
Honesty, communication
Passionate about
Life, ethics
Favourite food
Macaroni and Cheese
Fun fact
I consider Penguins family
Career highlight
Yet to come.
Most annoying thing
I am intolerant of stupidity
Matthew Cockerill
Design & Product Strategy Partner
London, UK
Superpower
Imagination
Traits valued in others
Open mindedness, insightfulness and dedication.
Passionate about
emerging technology
Favourite food
Ramen.
Fun fact
The tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong when I lived there isn’t even in the top 150 today.
Career highlight
Helping create the world's first ethical and modular smartphone for Fairphone.
Most annoying thing
Impatience when others haven’t made the leap yet.
Dilly Gent
Creative Director & Producer
Los Angeles, USA
Superpower
My Kid (not in a mushy way, but I genuinely learn so much from having a savvy teenager in my life)
Traits valued in others
Honesty, transparency, empathy, humour, efficiency, talent, common sense & kindness.
Passionate about
Music, the marriage of music and film, Educating people about the environment in a fun, easy to understand way.
Favourite food
Brussel Sprouts.
Fun fact
I won a demolition derby.
Career highlight
Radiohead's Creative Director for 16 years. Grammy Nominated. Produced 60 short films for Al Gore.
Most annoying thing
I tend to eco-rant...
Caroline Cockerham
Textile Human
Wilmington, USA
Superpower
If it's a textile, I can make it.
Traits valued in others
Humor, follow through, creative thinking
Passionate about
Sustainability as it relates to textiles
Favourite food
French fries with mayo
Fun fact
I sew a lot of my own clothes...because I enjoy it, but mostly because I'm cheap.
Career highlight
Starting my own business, making sustainable home textiles in the USA
Most annoying thing
Mouth smacking (?)
Clare Townhill
Strategy Partner
Bruton, UK
Superpower
Getting to the right questions.
Traits valued in others
Integrity, grit, kindness, bravery
Passionate about
Global detective fiction, great coffee
Favourite food
Too many to mention
Fun fact
I used to run parties as the Creative Producer for the world's biggest nightclub
Career highlight
Flying a gospel choir to Ibiza to sing Bohemian Rhapsody to 10,000 clubbers at dawn.
Most annoying thing
Any flavour of BS
Lasse Lindqvist
Strategy & Sustainability Human
Helsinki, Finland
Superpower
Simplifying the most complex
Traits valued in others
Honesty, authenticity, learning mindset
Passionate about
Leaning new things, freediving with whales, photography and nature
Favourite food
My mama’s meatballs
Fun fact
I financed my college by being a professional musical theater dancer in the Nordics
Career highlight
Designing an award-winning NASA astronaut space suit
Most annoying thing
I sleep walk
Vic Kirk-Owal
Strategy & Innovation Partner
London, UK
Superpower
Entertaining. I have a knack for hosting great meals and meaningful conversations with eclectic crowds.
Traits valued in others
Vulnerability and a sense of humour
Passionate about
Universal design
Favourite food
Okra
Fun fact
I can weld steel
Career highlight
Turning field research on digital technology in rural India into a photo essay exhibition that pulled a crowd of a quarter million visitors to a gallery in Mayfair in two weeks.
Most annoying thing
Dogma
Mundhir Eltahir
Design Human
Dubai, UAE
Superpower
Discovering the person inside through photography
Traits valued in others
Honesty, Respect, Transparency
Passionate about
Creating brands that connect and engage with people
Favourite food
Turkish, Persian
Fun fact
I only dress in black
Career highlight
Creating the design language for Etihad Airways and being a part of the branding team of the Louvre Abu Dhabi
Most annoying thing
Police siren
Adrian Barrow
Strategic Partner
Los Angeles, USA
Superpower
Strategic Imagination, Simplification, Problem Solver
Traits valued in others
Courage, Humility, Generosity
Passionate about
A designer's power to make the world both more beautiful as well as useful.
Favourite food
Chilli lime lobster tails
Fun fact
I've lived the life of a global nomad. I might have been a gypsy in a past life.
Career highlight
Saturn Sheetmetal
Most annoying thing
Not being able to travel (see comment above about being a gypsy).
Peter Drake
Creative Partner
London, UK
Superpower
Inspiration
Traits valued in others
Curiosity, humour and commitment
Passionate about
My children. Trees.
Favourite food
Gluten Free
Fun fact
Won a BAFTA but wasn't there to collect it...
Career highlight
Stanley Kubrick once said he liked something I'd done, then died before we could become pals.
Most annoying thing
Blond haired despots
Shea Gonyo
Developer Human
Cincinnati, USA
Superpower
Translating creative into functional products
Traits valued in others
Creativity, Passion, Authenticity and Work Ethic
Passionate about
Family
Favourite food
Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken
Fun fact
I can still do a tre flip
Career highlight
Launching
Most annoying thing
Having to do the same thing twice
Nicolas Ronco
Strategic Human
Paris, France
Superpower
intuition
Traits valued in others
empathy, speed, curiosity
Passionate about
wellness, sleep, hospitality, airlines, life
Favourite food
japanese, turkish, thai
Fun fact
I wanted to be a doctor, I became a hypocondriac instead
Career highlight
successful 15 year corporate experience. involved in one successful IPO. but found my passion as an entrepreneur
Most annoying thing
will ask the same question until I get the answer I want
Rob Lawrence
Creative & Strategy Partner
London, UK
Superpower
Imagination, daring, commitment, honesty, loyalty
Traits valued in others
Courage
Passionate about
What's next
Favourite food
A chalice of milk
Fun fact
I held a Guinness World Record and I've got a bunch of tech patents for spyware
Career highlight
Building and owning the cheapest broadband network in the UK
Most annoying thing
about me? Or just generally?
Tim Rodgers
Product Strategy Human
NYC, USA
Superpower
Hindsight
Traits valued in others
Honesty & humor
Passionate about
Disruptive business models
Favourite food
I like to bbq & smoke all the meats
Fun fact
You can buy me on Getty images
Career highlight
Designing a new creative process, Triage
Most annoying thing
I never got my time machine to work
Mehrad Noori
XR Producer
Los Angeles, USA
Superpower
Interactive Storytelling
Traits valued in others
Honesty, Passion, Kindness
Passionate about
Technology, Design, Storytelling
Favourite food
Does whisky count?
Fun fact
I own my own curling stone.
Career highlight
Building a narrative world from the ground up
Most annoying thing
Impatience - wanting to do too much all at once!
Nicola Pickup
Producer
Windermere, UK
Superpower
Multi-tasking
Traits valued in others
Empathy
Passionate about
Equal opportunities and swimming outside
Favourite food
Penang curry
Fun fact
If I enter a raffle I tend to win.
Career highlight
Working with a Brewery start-up delivering an ecommerce website and marketing strategy. Someone had to sample the goods.
Most annoying thing
Littering
Florian Schmitt
Creative Partner
London, UK
Superpower
No Ego, Positivity, pretty Zen no matter what. Appreciates weird Beauty.
Traits valued in others
Humour, Honesty and Talent
Passionate about
Challenging Standards
Favourite food
Wiener Schnitzel
Fun fact
Spent a night with Marilyn Manson at the Mandarin Oriental London drawing sitemaps
Career highlight
Selling my agency without losing my soul
Most annoying thing
In me - extreme need for tidiness. In others - messiness (in every sense of the word).
Tom Klimovski
Coding Human
Melbourne, Australia
Superpower
Creating Data Platforms to tell a story for organisations
Traits valued in others
Ability to rally around a core idea
Passionate about
Everything as code
Favourite food
Meat
Fun fact
I enjoy the pursuit of knowledge and learning from others, which has led to deep understanding of the following hobbies (in order): Woodworking, American-BBQ, Lawn-maintenance, Meat-curing, Flamenco Guitar, Running, Coffee, Swimming, Muay Thai, Piano are in current rotation
Career highlight
Starting a brand-new region (APAC) for a US company and building it out to a viable technical, data business
Most annoying thing
Need to practice more humility