SDF Team / People

Christine is an architectural designer based in Seattle, where she brings a thoughtful and inclusive approach to her work. Originally from the Atlanta area, she developed an early appreciation for diverse cultures and global perspectives, which continues to shape her design philosophy today. Her curiosity about the world—its flavors, traditions, and stories—has inspired both her professional projects and personal journey.

While deeply involved in the built environment, Christine also values the importance of stillness and reflection. She finds peace in nature and enjoys the quiet moments that offer opportunities for introspection and fresh perspectives. These experiences often inform her creative process, allowing her to approach challenges with empathy and open-mindedness.

Passionate about making a meaningful impact, Christine is particularly drawn to initiatives that foster community engagement and elevate underrepresented voices. She believes that design should be a tool for inclusion and empowerment, and she actively seeks ways to bring people together through collaborative and interactive experiences. Over the years, she has contributed to a variety of public-focused efforts, including volunteering at community design festivals, co-creating interactive installations, and mentoring young creatives exploring careers in architecture and design.

Christine continues to advocate for spaces through her work that reflect the diverse voices of the communities they serve, striving to create environments that are functional, resonant, and human-centered.

Jessica is a new addition to the Seattle Design Festival Planning Committee, bringing her diverse design background and passion for sustainability and equity-centered design. Originally from Orlando and with roots in Boston, Jessica’s experience spans the graphic design, UI/UX design, product design, and publication design fields.

Jessica also holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, and Innovation, giving her a strong technical foundation that complements her creative background and provides a unique perspective for creative problem-solving.

In the past, she has led the creation of the FORGE Design Studios and the CATALYST Designathon at Boston University, creating opportunities for local Boston students to learn about design and contribute to the community by uplifting small businesses with their design skills.

In her spare time, you can find Jessica baking new pastries, making ceramics at the pottery studio, taking photos with her Nikon Zfc, or learning her fifth language.

Driven by her boundless curiosity and vision for a better world, Karen designs with heart. As an architectural designer, she creates spaces where people gather, grow and belong. She recently moved from Los Angeles to Seattle to join Olson Kundig–bridging nature, culture and art through thoughtful design.

 This year, Karen is thrilled to be part of the Seattle Design Festival Planning Committee Team where she is excited to inspire imagination and connection–encouraging communities to engage, experiment, and learn from one another through the joy of play.

 Outside of the studio, you’ll likely find her exploring the forest trails, nurturing her ever-growing knowledge of native plants, getting her hands muddy in the ceramic studio– or enjoying the peaceful moments in her garden with her flock of fluffy silkie chickens.

May Dinh-Lewis is a multidisciplinary designer based in Seattle. Originally from Saigon, Vietnam, her work—spanning graphic arts, user research, and human advocacy—is grounded in the belief that design should be intersectional and inclusive.

She is especially passionate about promoting time affluence as a vital measure of human well-being, recognizing that how we spend our time shapes our personal, social, and professional lives. To her, good design should empower people with more control over their time—not demand more of it.

As a newcomer to Seattle, May is excited to contribute to this year’s Design Festival, bringing a balance of idealism and practicality to a community that values meaningful, people-first design.

Hi, I’m Mehak. I’m passionate about design that is both inclusive and thoughtful. With a Masters in Strategic Design Management, I started my career as a user researcher and then delved into UX and Learning Design to broaden my skillset.

I channel my creative energy through a hands on approach — whether solving design challenges or engaging in volunteer opportunities to learn about environmental stewardship and urban farming. I’m currently brewing my own kombucha and prepping my veggie garden
for the summer.

As a part of the Seattle Design Festival Planning Committee, I’m excited to create a space that invites people to explore design from different perspectives.

Rachael Keith is a junior Phi Theta Kappa student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture at Bellevue College. She has spent the past several years integrating herself into the vibrant design community of Seattle. With a strong commitment to learning and a love for
sustainable design, she strives to cultivate a diverse range of experiences that reflect the importance of community engagement.

Rachael volunteers at the Center on Contemporary Art, where she participates in the ShowWalls program, curating engaging contemporary art vignettes for member artists while fostering a deeper application toward the intersection of community art, design, and architecture. She has become progressively involved with the Seattle Design Festival. Initially volunteering at the 2022 festival through CoCA, her ongoing design studies quickly spurred her desire to commit to becoming a built installation exhibitor in 2024. This opportunity allowed her to collaborate with the SDF planning team, builders, designers, and artists as a physical catalyst for transforming creative design concepts into reality. She is now thrilled to contribute to event planning and community engagement as part of the Mixer team.

Outside of her academic and community volunteering pursuits, she enjoys finding new ways to engage with local artists and culture, finding inspiration and reflection in gardening with the local P-Patch program, spending time with friends antiquing and at estate sales, and meeting up with fellow student design cohorts at regional get-togethers. Rachael is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the Festival Planning Team and contribute to the ongoing dialogue of design in the PNW community.

Hi, I’m Shambhavi, but I also go by Polo! I got this nickname the moment I was born, after a popular mint, similar to Life Savers. Shambhavi, my actual name, came a week later!

Now that you know a fun fact about me, here’s a little more. I’m a design strategist and process improvement specialist, originally from Lucknow, India. I completed my higher education at Seattle University, followed by Parsons School of Design. With a background in business, fashion, and
design thinking, I’m passionate about understanding context and using that knowledge to solve problems.

When I’m not working, I enjoy ceramic painting, collecting more jewelry than I can wear, and exploring my newfound love for loose-leaf teas.
As part of the Seattle Design Festival planning committee, I’m excited to dive deeper into the world of design and celebrate how it shapes our everyday lives—often in ways we don’t even realize.

Stephanie is thrilled to join the Seattle Design Festival Planning Committee for the first time this year. With a growing appreciation for how design and art intersects with people, culture, and the environments we live in, she is eager to dive deeper into the world of design and its impact on daily life. 

She holds a BA in International Business with minors in Economics and Spanish from Western Washington University and brings experience in program management, operations, and event coordination across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

A former competitive figure skater of nearly 15 years, Stephanie is passionate about storytelling and the ways it connects communities. She loves exploring events that celebrate arts, culture, food, and music, and is always looking for new opportunities to learn, travel, and engage with diverse communities. 

You can always find Stephanie in a local coffee shop, a dance studio, or out enjoying Seattle’s public spaces – parks, libraries, museums, etc!

Steven Yang is an Architectural Designer at BRR Architecture, originally from Atlanta, GA. Over the past several years, he has worked on built installations and small-scale projects throughout the Atlanta metro area, with a strong passion for community-focused and sustainable design.

Steven has actively contributed to a range of community engagement initiatives, volunteering at events such as PARK(ing) Day, the Atlanta Design Festival, Future City, and many others. He’s also been involved with the Seattle Design Festival for the past 3–4 years, always eager to see the ideas and energy the local community brings to life.

Outside of work and volunteering, Steven enjoys discovering new food spots, cooking, traveling, and biking through the city to uncover hidden gems and fresh perspectives.

I was born and raised in Shiraz, Iran—a city where gardens, poetry, and beauty are woven into everyday life. Growing up there, I didn’t realize how much these quiet influences would shape me. Only later did I understand why I was so drawn to spaces that hold stories, create belonging, and feel deeply human. Architecture became my way of giving shape to these feelings. 

My journey has been anything but linear. After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in Shiraz, I moved to Italy for my Master’s at Politecnico di Milano. Living there was both inspiring and humbling—it challenged me to see architecture not just as design, but as culture, history, and human connection. Since then, I’ve called Bournemouth in the UK, Los Angeles, and now Seattle home. Each place has left its mark, teaching me more about who I am as a person and as a designer. 

I chose architecture for its power to connect, inspire, and create belonging—the same values that drive my work with SDF. Being part of SDF allows me to merge my passion for design with my commitment to community, helping shape an experience that brings people together in meaningful ways. It’s a reminder that design is never just about buildings—it’s about people, stories, and the spaces where life unfolds.