Next event · with Atlassian
San Francisco
4 Nov 2026
Leadership, closer to the craft.
Senior design leaders in San Francisco for a conversation about leadership, AI and staying close to the craft. An informal evening, not a conference.
The globalhome ofdesignleadership.
A curated global membership for experienced design leaders to build trusted relationships, learn from one another, strengthen their leadership and help shape the future of design.
- Director → CDO
- experienced design leaders
- Curated
- selected for experience, responsibility and contribution
- Late Nov 2026
- founding membership opens
Leaders in our network come from
- Airbnb
- Microsoft
- Samsung
- Atlassian
- Spotify
- Nike
- HSBC
- Amazon
- IBM
- Adobe
Why Design Leaders
01
People. Not profiles.
Design leadership can be a lonely job.
Design leaders carry real responsibility for people, products and decisions. Many face similar challenges in different organisations, with few trusted peers to discuss them openly.
Design Leaders creates the conditions for those relationships to develop.
Members compare experiences, challenge their thinking, explore new approaches and support one another throughout their careers.
Live
02
Designed around the people in the room
Each gathering is built around the people in it and the conversations they can have together, so the exchange continues long after the evening ends.
Explore eventsBuilt properly, before the doors open
We moved the launch to the end of November so there is something genuinely valuable waiting when you arrive: a strong programme, better peer connection, useful insight, events and opportunities.
October
Listening
Conversations with leaders on the waiting list shape the first programme.
4 November
San Francisco
An evening with Atlassian on leadership, AI and the craft.
November
The first 90 days
The opening programme is shared before membership opens.
End of November
Membership opens
Founding members are welcomed and introduced to their peers.
Membership
03
A curated global membership.
Through thoughtful introductions, honest peer conversations, practical learning and distinctive in-person and virtual gatherings, members build relationships they can turn to throughout their careers.
Explore membership
Five reasons to join
- 01Find your peopleBuild trusted relationships with leaders who understand your responsibilities and can offer perspective when you need it.
- 02Step out of the day-to-dayGatherings, conversations and shared interests that bring fresh ideas, energy and friendships.
- 03Learn from people doing the workPractical experience across organisations, industries and countries, including AI, emerging tools and staying close to craft.
- 04Turn connections into opportunitiesCollaborators, useful introductions, career insight and chances to contribute your expertise.
- 05Shape what's nextHelp shape how design is taught, practised and valued. Test approaches with peers and contribute to work that strengthens the profession.
Perspectives
04
Ideas from people doing the work
Member stories, interviews, practical resources and ideas. Private conversations stay private: recording, attribution and publication always need clear agreement.
First stories after launch
People · The people and experiences behind design leadership
Beyond the Title
Interviews · Leaders on their work and changing relationship with design
Closer to the Craft
Opinions · Different perspectives on the challenges facing design leadership
The Questions Worth Asking
Live · Ideas from the room, shared with contributors' permission
Inside the Conversation
How we work
05
Members help shape the programme
Their questions inform sessions, their experience contributes to shared learning and their relationships create opportunities to collaborate.
Trust requires care. Members control how they take part and what they share.
Partners
06
Partnerships that create value for members
Partnerships must add value for members and protect the integrity of the experience. Access is never ownership of the audience, and member data is never part of the offer.
Experiences
Help create gatherings members value.
Expertise
Share what you know, without a sales pitch.
Ideas
Support research, programming and new ideas.
Learning
Learn from a curated group of senior practitioners.
Host partner
Atlassian
Hosting our evening in San Francisco on 4 November 2026.
Find your people.
Founding membership opens at the end of November 2026. £360 a year, or £46 a month, including our in-person and virtual events, programming, content and resources.
- Step 1
Apply
- Step 2
Review
- Step 3
Welcome
- Director → CDO
- Global membership
- Application based