The Seattle Design Festival is a platform for bold design conversations. We believe that design is for everyone and that inclusive co-design practices are essential to shaping an equitable Seattle. We are multidisciplinary, socially engaged and civic minded.
- June 20, 2025
- News and Announcements
Introducing the 2025 Festival Planning Team
The SDF 2025 Planning Team: (First Row) Stephanie Dinca, Jessica Man, Alice Irizarry, Karen Tang, Steven Yang, Shambhavi ‘Polo’ Mehrotra. (Second Row) Adrian Pacheco, Mehak Jain, Tara Torabi, May Dinh, Matt McWilliams, Carson Thomas. (Third Row) Trevor Dykstra, Suyogi Patil, Tina Vy Nguyen, Rachael Keith, George Zatloka, Christine V.
Meet the 2025 Planning Team!
Seattle Design Festival is organized and produced by the Festival Planning Team, a dedicated group of volunteers, with some members helping shape the Festival since its founding 15 years ago!
I joined the SDF Planning Team in 2011 because I wanted to help foster an interdisciplinary design community in Seattle. — Trevor Dykstra
Together, the team develops our annual Call for Proposals, makes submission selections, supports Partners in creating the best possible project, and ensures all experiences featured at the Festival are accessible, intersectional, and inviting. The Planning Team have worked together since February to ensure a smooth, fun, organized and illuminating event. Get to know the team!
Why did you join the Planning Team?
I joined the SDF Planning Team because I love creating designs that people can enjoy and connect with—and I wanted to help others experience that same sense of fulfillment through their own work. — Steven Yang
I wanted to be a small part of something bigger — doing something fun and meaningful for the Seattle community. — Tara Torabi
I joined the SDF Planning Team to help foster inclusive spaces for innovation and creativity. — Christine V.
I joined the SDF Planning Team to create an inclusive space and invite people to experience and celebrate the design community in Seattle. — Mehak Jain
I joined the SDF Planning Team to connect with Seattle’s creative community and contribute to a space where diverse voices and perspectives are welcomed and valued. — Karen Tang
FEEDBACK in design is…
What makes us better designers! I’m excited this year to see how the experiences and installations interact with each other to make a vibrant festival in the center of the city. — Alice Irizarry
A step forward to happiness. — Steven Yang
A vital part of making a design successful. It helps ideas evolve and get stronger through collaboration. — Tara Torabi
The ability to express your authentic self. — Christine V.
A collaborative exchange that sparks dialogue. — Karen Tang
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m excited to see how FEEDBACK will shape this year’s Festival—both in the planning process and through the experiences we create. — Tara Torabi
I’m looking forward to our website as a source of information and inspiration to others on a global scale. — Christine V.
I’m excited to see different facets of FEEDBACK come to life! — Mehak Jain
I’m excited to engage in spontaneous conversations sparked by this year’s theme FEEDBACK, and connect with everyone at the festival! — Karen Tang
Want to be involved? It’s not too late!
Seattle Design Festival is volunteer-led, offering 70+ opportunities for day-of Festival support in August. Review this year’s Call for Volunteers and attend our Volunteer + Partner Social in July to sign up!
If you’d like to be a part of next year’s Festival Planning Team, we will launch a call for volunteers in the fall. For more information, see the 2025 call for Planning Team members.