About

Strengtheningthe people leadingdesign.

Design Leaders is the global home of design leadership.

Our purpose is to strengthen the people leading design and, through them, the profession itself.

We believe design has the power to save lives, shape societies and transform industries. We want to demonstrate that value through the people we support, the knowledge we share and the work we do together.

Our role

01

Curate. Connect. Listen. Host. Support.

Members standing together at a Design Leaders gathering

The team creates the conditions, makes thoughtful connections and notices patterns. Members bring the questions, experience and contributions that shape the programme.

We don't claim to have all the answers, or to teach leaders how to lead.

What members can count on

  • Membership is valuable on its own, independent of any hiring activity.
  • Joining never registers you as a candidate or authorises sales approaches.
  • Private conversations and member activity are never used for recruitment.
  • Partners and search clients get no unrestricted access to member information.

How we work

02

What we believe

  1. 01Leadership is a practiceIt develops through experience, reflection and honest exchange with people who understand the responsibility.
  2. 02Generosity mattersSharing knowledge, making introductions and helping others strengthen the experience for everyone.
  3. 03Relevant experience and contribution make the roomWe value what people bring beyond their title or employer.
  4. 04Trust requires careWe protect confidentiality, respect boundaries and give members control over how they participate and what they share.
  5. 05Stay curious and close to craftWe create opportunities to explore tools, test ideas and understand how design practice is changing.
  6. 06Design can make life betterTogether, we can strengthen its contribution to organisations, the profession and society.

The team

03

The people behind Design Leaders

A small team with an open door. Members can reach out, be heard, and be connected to the right peers, ideas or opportunities.

  • Rob Magowan

    Founder & Programme Director

    A designer turned executive searcher, Rob has spent more than 15 years in the design industry. He founded Design Leaders from a belief that the people leading design deserve a more human place to connect.

  • Aurélie

    Member Experience & Community Lead

    More than 12 years across strategic design, service design and digital innovation in New York and London, and co-founder of Design Declares. Aurélie leads the member journey, from welcome to lasting participation.

  • Diego

    Programme, Growth & Brand Lead

    Previously helped grow InVision's global design leadership community from 3,000 to 5,000 members and hosted more than 80 leadership conversations. Diego leads programming, growth and brand.

  • Cheryl

    Recruitment Intelligence & Opportunities Lead

    Twenty years of recruitment across technology, design, AI and data in the UK and Europe. Cheryl brings career value, market intelligence and relevant opportunities, always by member choice.

Partnerships

05

Partnerships that create value for members

Host partner, San Francisco 2026

Atlassian

Partners can help create experiences, share expertise, support ideas and learn from senior design leaders. Every partnership must add value for members and protect the integrity of the experience. Member data is never part of the offer.

Partner with us