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Dear SEGD Community,

I’m honored to serve as SEGD President. I want to start by thanking Anna Crider for serving as President for the past two years. Anna’s leadership helped SEGD navigate a CEO search, the onset of the pandemic, and rethinking our education and community building through virtual and hybrid platforms. 

For those of you that I haven’t met, I’m a Principal at Mayer/Reed, a Pacific Northwest firm practicing experiential graphic design, landscape architecture and urban design. I co-founded the SEGD Portland Chapter and then joined the SEGD Board of Directors in 2016. To prepare for this role, I have served on the executive committee as Anna’s Vice President for the past two years. 

Creating equitable access to design and design careers is a personal passion. I’m proud of the commitment SEGD has made in forming the Racial Justice Commission and the ongoing work of the Young Designer and Education Committees. These are pivotal programs making lasting change by stewarding the next generation of designers.

At the end of 2021, we celebrated our return to in-person events with the annual conference in Philadelphia. It was a truly inspiring reunion for the SEGD Community. The 2022 conference will be hosted in my hometown, Portland, Oregon and I’m thrilled to share our city with the SEGD community. With the pandemic still playing a role in planning, SEGD will provide a mix of virtual and in-person events this year: 

• 2022 SEGD Conference Experience Portland, In-person, June 16-18
• 2022 Academic Summit, Virtual, June 29-30
• Wayfinding, Virtual/In-person tours in select cities, August
• Branded Environments, In-person, New York, October
   

Stay connected throughout the year by checking the events webpage for additional virtual events, discussions groups and chapter events. Speaking of websites… we know the SEGD website is our connection to you and an important resource for inspiration and education. A new website design is under way with some exciting changes.  Look for updates later this year!

All this work could not happen without the leadership of SEGD CEO, Cybelle Jones. She leads with an infectious positive energy and is supported by SEGD staff, Board of Directors and the executive team including Vice President Traci Sym of Plus & Greater Than, Treasurer Mike McCarthy from DCL , and Past President Anna Crider of Entro. In addition to returning members, this year the board welcomes Bosco Hernández, Design Director of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.  

Last, but not least, I want to recognize the many volunteer hours that support SEGD. Thank you to everyone who shares their skills and passion as a chapter chair, committee member, event speaker, mentor or sponsor. Donating your time and energy is a great way to stay connected. 

I am looking forward to getting to know you all more and building new relationships this year. Cheers to 2022!  May this be a year of growth, health, design excellence and a bit of fun along the way!