What Design Can Do

Joel Towers, Executive Dean of Parsons NY

Joel Towers, Executive Dean of Parsons NY

What Design Can Do - Design for Social Impact Role: Senior Program Manager Period: 2017-2018 (2 years) Responsibilities: Program development, project management, strategy

About: What Design Can Do (WDCD) is a platform for design and social impact based in Amsterdam. Its mission is to promote the power of design as a catalyst for change and as a tool for addressing the world’s most pressing societal and environmental issues. Since its inception in 2011, it has done so through numerous activities including annual conferences in the Netherlands and Brazil, publications and the WDCD blog. WDCD launched the Climate Action Challenge: a new global competition calling on designers and creative entrepreneurs to submit innovative solutions to combat the impacts of climate change.

Dave Hakkens, founder of Precious Plastic

Dave Hakkens, founder of Precious Plastic

At What Design Can Do I was responsible for programming and

operations for WDCD conferences and design challenges. Events for

1500+ visitors in Amsterdam, Sao Paulo and Mexico City. Developing the

program with and for engaged innovators in the field of design innovation

for social and environmental renewal.

Elena Reygadas, Mexican chef and food designer

Elena Reygadas, Mexican chef and food designer

Curated several event programs with 25+ simultaneous workshops, keynotes and interactive

experiences exploring the transformative power of design and creativity.

Alex Atala, chef and founder of ATA Foundation

Alex Atala, chef and founder of ATA Foundation

- Responsible project manager / project developer: Climate Action, Clean Energy Challenge - What Design Can Do conferences in Amsterdam, Sao Paulo and Mexico City - Responsible for execution and management of conferences in the Netherlands, Brazil and Mexico - Recruitment and account management of (program) partnerships

Alex Atala, chef and founder of ATA Foundation

- Management of conference program/production team and other suppliers (+/- 10 people) - Product & technical management of several digital / online projects. - Responsible for projects with 500K+ project budgets - International stakeholder & relations management

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