In the realm of design, the assumption of leadership in human-centered expertise, strategies and toolkits often falls on the designer. However, wielding this perceived power doesn’t always lead to success! It’s essential to understand that each community is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Join me as we explore the complexities of engaging with diverse communities and learn from the humble missteps commonly encountered in this journey.

The global challenge of affordable housing has spurred us to leverage design for social impact, sparking community engagement to address this critical issue. I’ll share my journey of implementing an affordable housing platform across multiple cities. We’ll delve into the insights gained, confront the challenges encountered, and glean valuable lessons learned along the way. Together, we’ll learn actionable strategies for truly inclusive community engagement and leave with concrete steps to create positive change in your own projects.

About Wendy

Wendy is a socially-conscious designer with over a decade of hands-on experience in design for social impact. She excels in leading user-centered strategies, connecting the dots to generate actionable insights for product and experience improvement. A passionate advocate for community-based design, Wendy skillfully balances product requirements with the needs of diverse teams, stakeholders, and global communities. With a track record of collaboration on projects both locally and internationally, Wendy has made a positive impact on communities around the globe.