Confronting Values

is a design leader with 13 years' experience launching brands and campaigns for social and environmental causes. Operating at the nexus of sustainability, psychology, and design, she empowers values-driven organizations to frame communication challenges, identify levers for change, and activate brand strategies. As Chief Brand and Communications Officer at Habitable and founder of Do it Better Design, Nicolette leverages her expertise to drive positive change for people and the planet. With an MA in Social Innovation & Sustainability and a BA in Social Enterprise from Goddard College, she brings a unique blend of creative prowess and deep sustainability expertise to her work, particularly in plastics and the built environment.

is a polymath, multidisciplinary creative, product designer, and architecture student from Benin who has lived in Chicago since 2018. He is currently completing his Bachelor's of Architecture at IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology). His work is an ode to optimism. His goal is to constantly show that it is never late for new ideas. He worked as accessories designer for Nike and Serena Williams for an apprenticeship in 2021. RUPTUR VISION by Larry Tchogninou is a design reflection approach based on 6 principal point. A different way to think and reimagine the familiar. Larry also runs a collaborative practice named POINTS OF SAIL with his friend James Langford. Points of Sail uses the world of nautical design as its muse because both of its founders aim to view design problems with fresh eyes.

Design Director + Co-founder of Field of Practice , is a brand alchemist—a designer, creative director, and whole-hearted champion for form, function & care. Born in Syria, raised in Saudi, and bilingual in English and Arabic, she translates thoughtful strategies into holistic, gorgeously realized design systems…and she can do it in two languages. She’s reinvigorated hyperlocal to global brands and led boundary-breaking campaigns for Karam Foundation, Planned Parenthood, Type Directors Club, Onward and StockX. Her work has been recognized by the STA 100, Typewolf, Brand New, Communication Arts, and Fast Company Innovation by Design. She holds a BSc in Visual Communications from the American University of Sharjah (UAE), and an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts, Media and Design from OCAD University.

, Group Creative Director, leading a creative life requires the ability to combine complementary skills drawn from the head and the heart, and Tracy West, 50,000feet’s Group Creative Director, embodies this pursuit. Overseeing creative teams in both Chicago and New York, Tracy works closely with a diverse range of clients and helps to lead the agency’s efforts across every practice and discipline. Her multidisciplinary design expertise includes brand identity, integrated campaigns, corporate communications, environmental systems, retail experience and publication design for such clients as BMW, Knoll, Mastercard, MINI, Perkins+Will, Sappi Fine Papers and USG. In addition to being a creative leader for 50,000feet’s clients, Tracy has become an active voice for mentorship and team-building, helping to support and guide talent in all areas within the organization. She has served on the board of AIGA Chicago, and she helps to oversee 50,000feet’s work with the Design Museum of Chicago, including the management of the agency’s philanthropic efforts.

is the co-owner and Managing Director of Someoddpilot, a creative agency in Chicago. In her 15 years of leadership, she has transformed the business from a two-person design studio to one of the most exciting independent agencies working today. A Crain's Notable LGBTQ+ executive, she has built brands and launched campaigns for clients including Lollapalooza, Patagonia, Smith Optics, Footjoy, Saucony, Dyson, and Kimberly-Clark. She also co-founded Public Works, an apparel brand and art gallery in Wicker Park.