Designed By with Joanna Peña-Bickley

In this empowering episode of Designed By, host Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with Shelley Zalis, the trailblazing founder and CEO of The Female Quotient. Shelley shares her inspiring journey of building a company that’s not just changing the conversation but rewriting the rules for women in the workplace.  From launching The Equality Lounge® at CES—now a global equality movement at the biggest in...

In this episode of Designed By, host Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President & CEO of Global Refuge, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. Krish shares her incredible journey to America, navigating the transition into a new community, and how her experiences shaped her into the leader she is today. Krish delves into her time working alongside t...

In this episode of Designed By, host Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with Raina Kumra Gardiner, a visionary at the intersection of tech, ethics, and design. As the CEO & Founder of Spicewell, Raina is transforming our relationship with food, and her work at Juggernaut is redefining digital transformation. Grounded in the principles of Ayurveda, her journey from design tech guru to functional foo...

In this episode, we dive into Black culinary arts with a true innovator, Nicole Taylor.  Nicole is not just a chef but a storyteller who designs Juneteenth experiences through her vibrant cookbook, "Watermelon & Red Birds." Join Joanna & Nicole as they explore over 75 recipes from refreshing Afro-Egg Cream to savory Peach Jam & Molasses Glazed Chicken Thighs, and the innovati...

Join us in this captivating episode of Designed By as Joanna Peña-Bickley introduces Chloe Gotlieb, a design leader whose Evolutionary Attunement style of leadership is shaping the future of innovative businesses. Chloe Gotlieb's journey is a beacon for those at the intersection of design and visionary leadership, perfectly embodying the spirit of a life well designed.  Her story, from humble...

In this enlightening episode of "Designed By," Joanna Peña-Bickley connects with Tatyana Mamut, a visionary tech leader and first-generation American, who explores the complex problems democracies face in societal technological transformation.  Emerging from this conversation are the outlines of an Ai Peer-ocracy. Drawing from her unique journey and empathetic leadership style, Tatyana d...

Enter the soulful world of jazz, where the vibrant spirit of New Orleans and the healing power of music converge. Join Joanna Pena-Bickley on a special episode of Designed By as she welcomes the incomparable Judith Owen. Today, on Designed By, we are honored to introduce Judith Owen to our audience. Her music, a seamless fusion of drama, classical elegance, and jazz spontaneity, serves as a testam...

In this inspiring episode Joanna Peña-Bickley sits down with the Tony Award-winning sound designer, Jessica Paz, to explore the intricate fusion of art and science in the world of sound design. Jessica, renowned for her work in theater, film, and music, shares her journey and insights that have led to groundbreaking innovations in sound. Listeners will be enthralled as Jessica recounts her experie...

Dive deep into the mesmerizing world of sound with the incomparable Victoria 'Toy' Deiorio. Not just any sound designer, Victoria elegantly weaves her rich tapestry of experiences from ballet, acting, and songwriting into groundbreaking soundscapes that have enchanted theaters goers. Join Joanna Peña-Bickley as she unravels Victoria's 21-year odyssey - a trailblazing journey that ha...

Meet Reginé Gilbert.  Reginé a seasoned user experience designer and spatial computing expert, an accomplished author, international keynote speaker and educator. The episode dives deep into around Reginé's path to creating immersive and inclusive user experiences in the world of spatial computing.  This dynamic discussion explores the concept of spatial computing, unpacking its significance...

Meet Academy Award nominated documentarian Julie Cohen. Julie’s revelationary body of work has helped the world discover divine truths in films like RBG (2018), My Name Is Pauli Murray (2021) and The Sturgeon Queens (2014). Julie’s artistic craft adds a unique dimension that helps society challenge assumptions with dialogues about passionate pursuits of dreams, love and resilience that instill hop...

Reecie Colbert’s cultural competency and gift for breaking down the complexities of nuanced topics has catapulted her to the Best Seller category on Amazon for the Long & Short Guide to the 2022 Midterms , and it has put her center stage as a regular contributor to the Clay Cane Show and Roland Martin Unfiltered and now on MSNBC.  Join our conversation about daring to design the future of our...

Galit Ariel believes humanity's final frontier is emerging through the space-bending technologies augmented and virtual reality commonly referred to as the Metaverse.  In this conversation we explore Galit Ariel's personal journey and the possibilities for technologies to help us be more present and connected to the world. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Creativity strategist Natalie Nixon PhD is know as the creativity whisperer for the C-Suite. In this episode Natalie discusses The Creativity Leap and shares her thoughts on the future of work, innovation and finding acceptance in worlds that may not always welcome you. Send us Fan Mail DesignedByUs.org WE DARE TO DESIGN INCLUSIVE FUTURES,TODAY. WE DON'T RUN FROM EARTH'S PROBLEMS, WE RUN T...

We sat down with the Co-Founder of the WNORTH Conference and the President at Bluebird Strategy, Heather Odendaal. Heather is an accomplished entrepreneur, brand builder, and acclaimed event producer in Western Canada. In this episode, we hone in on Odendaals journey to excellence, while working alongside her husband to uplift the voices of women entrepreneurs and raise a family as well. Join us t...

We sat down with the brilliant engineer and founder of Novalita, Dr. Kate Stone. Dr. Stone has developed the use of everyday printing presses to produce interactive electronics, with touch-sensitive inks and printed circuits. She has coined these products “Interactive Printed Media” (IPM). In this episode, we dive deep into Dr. Stones’ roots, and what drove her to be the inspiring creator she is t...

We connected with Timothy Bardlavens , Design Leader, a Cultural Strategist, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) specialist, a Fellow Co-Founder, a writer, and International Speaker & Workshop Facilitator. In this conversation, we dig deep into the ups and downs of identity, aspirations, and taking risks to not only achieve your dreams but to never stop having them. Tune in this week, as w...

We connect with Distinguished Designer, Painter, entrepreneur, and Creative Director, Adrian Franks . Franks is widely seen as a provocative pop artist behind the Black Lives Matter movement, often compared to a digital Basquiat, Frank’s day gig defines UX for the industry at IBM by night he is a dad, partner, and community leader. This episode hones in on Franks’s roots in Atlanta, and his journe...

Meet Futurist, Author, Founder and CEO of BrainReserve , Faith Popcorn ! As a designer of destinies, Faith's predictions have been shaped by her childhood abroad and performing arts experiences.  In this episode, we explore how to read the signals and reveal incredible versions of the future we as a society can design together. Learn more about upcoming guests & episodes at DesignedBy. Sh...

Dive Deep with the Founder of the 3Percent Movement , Kat Gordon . Together we reveal the core of what drives Kat Gordon to fight for equality. From her humble beginnings to the spark that led her to ignite an undeniable revolution for in the Advertising's creative fields. Listen in on how she tirelessly works to close the gap. Learn more about upcoming guests & episodes at DesignedBy. Sh...

Join us in meeting biomedia designer and fashion technologist, Dr. Amanda Parkes . We learn about the journey of Dr. Parkes and her Los Angeles roots that stood as a foundation for her to really discover her passion. As Founder of Skinteractive Studios in Brooklyn, New York; Dr. Parkes dedicated her career to creating amazing ways in “smart materials” that change people’s day-to-day life. Listen i...

Meet change-maker Mara Lecocq joins us in outlining the exceptional path that leads her to inclusive design. Forbes has named Lecocq “The Boss of Boss Ladies”, and her true passion is bringing people from different backgrounds and cultures together to appreciate, support, and uplift each other through their professional wellbeing. Tune in for a fierce femme dialogue, and learn what makes Mara Leco...