Sweeping federal policy changes continue to disrupt public service for citizens and employees, both within government agencies and in nonprofits, academic institutions, and contractors serving public agencies and programs. Speakers and participants discussed layoffs, radical changes in funding and policy priorities, control of speech, intimidation, the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, the shuttering of civil rights offices, detentions, and other changes that have significant implications for those in our community.

Speakers

Alexandra Mack leads innovative problem solving and strategy development based on a deep understanding of the surrounding culture and activities. She has brought this combination of customer-centered design, innovation, market research, opportunity identification, business planning, and cultural change to projects across verticals, including government, health care, retail, software, and financial services. She is the author of the book Talking to Stakeholders as well as numerous posts and papers on epicpeople.org. She is also an Entrepreneur in Residence with Yale Ventures, where she mentors student venture teams and advises faculty innovators looking to translate technologies into businesses.

Chelsea Mauldin is a social scientist and designer with a focus on government innovation. In addition to directing the Public Policy Lab, she is an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs and a frequent keynote speaker and panelist. Prior to co-founding PPL, Chelsea consulted to municipal and federal agencies, directed a community-development organization, led government partnerships at a public-space advocacy nonprofit, and served as an editor for publishing, arts, and digital media organizations. She is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and the London School of Economics.

Michele Y Washington is an interdisciplinary designer, curator, researcher, strategist, educator, and design writer. She writes about design, architecture, culture, food, furniture, and community building. Michele formerly worked for Coforma, civic design firm, as a design researcher/facilitator. Some of her other projects have included, A Long Walk Home, City as Living Lab, Editor’s on Call, Leadership Summit, Killen’s Journal/Medgar Evers College, the Chronicle of Higher Education, Cox Matthews and Associates, MoMA, Poster House Museum, Romare Bearden Foundation, West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc., desigNYC and the Museum of Science and Industry. She is the founder and host of the “Curious Story Lab” podcast, which amplifies the voices of designers, architects, curators, urbanists, and creative professionals of color.