The Power of Collaboration, Connection and Community
AIGA San Diego was invited to shine a light on our Design for Good platform and to engage the broader design community through a panel discussion during OH! San Diego 2021. In our continuing effort to advance design as a profession and to build stronger ties to local and regional design focused organizations, we jumped at this request.
We hope to see you on Tuesday March 9th, 2021, from 4-5pm PST, at our virtual panel discussion, ‘Collaboration, Connection, Community.’ It’s open and free to all! Learn more about the talk and our panelists below.
Hosted by the San Diego Architectural Foundation, OH! San Diego (short for Open House San Diego) is a free, annual public showcase promoting the appreciation of San Diego’s urban environments, buildings, public spaces, and the unique qualities within San Diego’s neighborhoods.
This year’s program will feature virtual and self-guided tours, socially distanced outdoor experiences, and ‘OH! Chat’ panel discussions for the public to learn about the importance of thoughtful and innovative architecture, urban planning and design.
“It’s YOUR CHANCE to have a dialogue with architects, design enthusiasts and neighbors about the future of our city and participate in building a more vibrant civic life. The buildings and spaces we build today—as well as those we protect and repurpose—will define the San Diego of tomorrow.”
About the Talk
Collaboration, Connection, Community: A Virtual Panel Discussion Presented by AIGA San Diego
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, 4:00-5:00pm (Free Event)
How do we foster partnerships between individuals to create something new, something better? How can we open doors in our own work to connect and lift up members of the community—from working professionals, to students, to those transitioning within the workforce?
Beyond the tools of technology that connect us on a daily basis, collaboration is an instinctual human activity. To put it simply, collaboration happens when two or more people work together, purposely, towards a shared goal.
Join us as we discuss the power of collaboration and how partnering up can boost ideas and initiatives, taking them to new heights. In this panel discussion, AIGA San Diego asks Ashanti Davis, Exhibition Manager at Fleet Science Center, Genevieve DePerio Fong, Logistics Team at Medical Operations Center – County of San Diego, and Don Hollis, Founder of Hollis Brand Culture, to break down how they keep collaboration at the forefront of their specific professions. The panelists will be joined by AIGA San Diego board members, Marc Hedges, President, Stephanie Elliott, Vice President, Allan Manzano, Director of Education, and Kamille Franchomme, Design for Good Co-Director (Women Lead), to moderate the talk.
About the Panelists
Ashanti Davis Exhibition Manager at Fleet Science Center
As Exhibition Manager, Ashanti Davis leads an interdisciplinary team in the development of unique experiences and exhibitions for visitors of all ages to the Fleet Science Center. Ashanti is Chair and co-instigator of an internal group for Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Accessibility, seeking to make an impact on organizational culture and systems. As someone who represents both culturally and cognitively diverse communities, she understands the necessity for cultural competency and the decolonization of museological practice and leadership, ultimately shifting the ways in which museums engage intentionally with their entire community.
Ashanti is an Alumni Fellow of the ASTC Leadership and Diversity Fellowship program, received a BA in Creative Arts and Communications in 2009 and is currently enrolled in a Masters in Museum Studies program with Johns Hopkins University. Upon completion of her masters, Ashanti looks forward to continuing her work as a leader in museums and catalyzing meaningful change through lenses of social justice, curiosity, and creativity for all museum staff and communities.
Genevieve DePerio Fong is a public relations and community outreach professional with 20 years of experience working in communities throughout the San Diego region. With an urban studies and planning background, Genevieve uses her skills in project management, communications, and logistics to help achieve the goals of various projects, programs and initiatives. She is currently working at the County of San Diego Medical Operations Center Logistics Team on Covid-19 response. She was most recently a Policy Advisor for Chairman Greg Cox, serving as the grants administrator for more than $13M in grants for small businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Genevieve holds a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies and Planning from the University of California, San Diego and received a Certificate in Real Estate: Design, Development and Entitlement through a scholarship at University of San Diego.
Don Hollis Mastermind, Creative Director at Hollis Brand Culture
As Hollis Brand Culture’s founder and design principal, Don Hollis brings more than 25 years of applied experience in creating meaningful brand engagement across print, web, interactive and architectural environments. HollisBC has expanded in-house teams to encompass graphic designers, an architect, and interior designers paired with production managers and account coordinators to ensure award-winning design with timely communication and workflow.
HollisBC delivers breakthrough brand strategies, corporate identity solutions, social media engagement and graphic design systems for lifestyle brands, products and services across hospitality, retail and technology sectors. Current projects include the San Diego region and span the U.S. The company’s segments include hospitality, luxury living, amenity-rich student housing, museums, retail and restaurants. Noteworthy clients include Facebook, Hard Rock Hotels, Hyatt, Marriott, InterContinental Hotels, Belmont Park, MOPA, SDAF, OH! San Diego, CityMark Developers, and more.
As an AIGA San Diego past president, gallery owner and two-term MOPA board member, Don has served the creative community as a leader, author, curator, speaker and judge for juried exhibitions. He continues to be a driving force who elevates regional dialogue through art, culture and design excellence.
About AIGA San Diego AIGA San Diego is a non-profit 501(c)(3) professional design organization providing educational and career enhancement opportunities for students and working professionals within the greater San Diego region. We are proud to support and collaborate with the region’s most reputable design-centric individuals and organizations. We will continue to engage our community through thoughtful, interactive programming at every turn.
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