About AIGA Minnesota

AIGA Minnesota is the professional association for designers in Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Founded in 1977 as the Minnesota Graphic Designers Association (MGDA), AIGA Minnesota is one of the largest AIGA chapters in the nation.

AIGA Minnesota creates programming, professional development opportunities, and social/networking events for designers looking for inspiration and connection. We welcome everyone interested in our ever-expanding design field: graphic design, web design, strategy, design thinking, UX/UI, branding, illustration, photography, video, SEO, animation, game design, etc. Our members come from all backgrounds, all fields, and all levels of experience and include designers, strategists, developers, students, educators, and representatives from marketing, advertising, digital channels, printing, and publishing.

AIGA Minnesota is a chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design. AIGA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

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Our Purpose — what we do and who we work for

AIGA MN is an inclusive source of connection, inspiration, and support for every designer in Minnesota.
We promote the passion and power of design.

Our Vision — what we aspire to and why

We create community that empowers all designers to create a more beautiful, equitable world.

AIGA Minnesota Chapter Values

Belong

Embrace diversity.
Nurture an inclusive and unbiased environment with a commitment to justice and equity.

Connect

Lean on us.
Be a place of community and support to share knowledge through engagement and collaboration.

Partner

Work together.
Cultivate relationships with like-minded organizations and institutions for combined action and participation.

Inspire

Grow your passion.
Encourage and instill confidence in individuals to enjoy life through making and creating

Contact

Mailing Address
AIGA Minnesota
P.O. Box 18396
1600 18th Avenue NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418-4714

office@aigaminnesota.org

Executive Committee

Rich Higgins
Rich Higgins
President

Rich Higgins is the Creative Director at Parallel Retail Group. His background is as diverse as a platypus.

He started his own design studio, Oryx & Moth, doing branding, art direction and design for clients big and small. Meanwhile he was the chair of the Solopreneurs Committee for AIGA MN (2022-2023) and served on the Design Student & Alumni Board at the University of Minnesota (2010-2013). Prior to that he worked at TSG, a design agency in Robbinsdale, for clients including: Target, HealthPartners and Crate & Barrel. He's also had a short stint designing for financial institutions (PNC Bank, Citibank and BBVA Compass). He started out designing and art directing photo shoots for multiple national salon chains throughout the US and Canada. And has had mediocre hairstyles since.

His interests vary widely with the season but he always willing to chat about DIY projects, soccer, LEGO, minimalism, FIRE, AI, technology, saunas, traveling, camping, parenting, etc.

Kelly Pederson
Kelly Pederson
Vice President

Thoughtful design is powerful, it can solve problems, ignite passion and bring people together. Design can also be beautiful, functional and change the way people interact in the world.

Tina (Meyhoff) Rafiq
Tina (Meyhoff) Rafiq
Secretary
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I’m a web designer and front-end developer with 13+ years of experience creating responsive, user-friendly websites that combine strong design with clean functionality. I enjoy helping businesses build a modern online presence through thoughtful UX/UI design, front-end development, and SEO strategies that improve both user experience and visibility. My background includes everything from project management and branding to quality assurance and performance optimization.

Dan Paulus
Dan Paulus
Treasurer

Dan Paulus is a Professor of Graphic Design at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He enjoys collaborating with students and clients alike—keeps him on his toes. He's a beekeeper and cat lover. He enjoys working with his hands and exploring physical media as a way to inform his craft but also to break away from the computer. He is currently exploring wood turning.

Brent Larson
Brent Larson
President Emeritus

Before becoming AIGA Minnesota President, Brent served as Vice President from 2022-2023 and Chair of the In-House Designers Committee from 2019 - 2023.

Brent volunteers as a mentor for emerging designers and is a member of the AIGA Minnesota Mind to Mind Mentorship Program Committee.

His interests include history, film, design, animation, illustration, 3D printing, model making, woodworking, golf, bowling, fishing, and restoring things.

Directors

Jack Wiese
Jack Wiese
Director of Technology

Emily McLaughlin
Emily McLaughlin
Director of Communications
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Emily is a graphic designer and creative director based in Saint Paul, MN. She passionate about the potential for design to cultivate collaboration and cleave opportunities. As Communications Director of AIGA Minnesota, her emphasis is on supporting and engaging the design community while kindling new connections.

Drew Graham
Drew Graham
Director of Diversity and Inclusion

For Drew, design is an act of radical empathy founded on the belief that every space, whether digital or physical, should be built to welcome everyone. As a UX/UI specialist, his dedication to accessibility isn't just a professional checkbox. It is deeply rooted in a career that actually began in the physical world, sculpting molds for prosthetic and orthotic leg braces.

He has spent over a decade bridging the gap between complex technical constraints and genuine human connection. Whether he is mapping out intuitive user journeys for healthcare startups or serving as a core advocate for players with disabilities within the Activision Disabilities Network, his focus remains entirely on breaking down barriers. As Director of Diversity and Inclusion for AIGA Minnesota, Drew is committed to ensuring the local creative community feels deeply approachable, supportive, and accessible to designers of all ability levels, backgrounds, and demographics.

Catch him anytime to talk about scalable design systems, grassroots community growth, indie game storytelling, or the perfect backyard grill setup.

Open
Position
Position Open
Director of Education



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Open
Position
Position Open
Director of Membership

The Director of Membership ensures Chapter membership activities are aligned with AIGA national initiatives as well as local Chapter goals. The Director acts as advisor to and liaison between Chapter board and Chapter membership to ensure Chapter activities meet the needs of the membership. The Director develops membership growth strategies and oversees any Chapter activity measuring member satisfaction in collaboration with AIGA ambassadors.

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Open
Position
Position Open
DIrector of Operations

The purpose of the Director of Operations is to assess AIGA Minnesota’s processes and policies and to guide the development of operational strategies that are in support of AIGA Minnesota’s mission, aligned with chapter goals, and in the best interest of its membership.

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Jhoselin Dominguez
Jhoselin Dominguez
Director of Mentorship

Kirstin Stahl
Kirstin Stahl
Director of Engagement

Associate Directors

Marion Weke
Marion Weke
Associate Director, Communications

Open
Position
Position Open
Associate Director, Archives

The role of the archivist is to be the guardian of the memories, materials and records that have shaped and continue to shape the identity of AIGA Minnesota. This includes collecting copies of all AIGA Minnesota communication materials for archiving and making appropriate information easily accessible to users such as board members and committee chairs.

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Committee Chairs

Peter (Blaise) de Sibour
Peter (Blaise) de Sibour
Committee Co-chair, In-house Designers
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Innovative creative leader that solves business problems and builds enterprise brands. Involved with the strategy, creative direction and design of communication for a variety of disciplines including traditional and digital media, packaging, visual and branding systems, identity, theming, content creation, naming and informational design. Proven team leadership and client interaction skills. Strong new business development mindset and pitch strategy. Proactive exploration of new technologies and applications with a growth mindset.

Adventure-seeker that thrives on new experiences, traveling with family, cycling enthusiast, weather geek + environmental, health-related, social enterprise volunteering.

Geoffrey Nkansah-Baah
Chair of Portfolio 1-on-1® Committee

Leah Meilander
Leah Meilander
Chair of Solopreneurs
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I am Freelance Visual Designer, Illustrator, and Lettering Artist based in Bloomington, MN. I have over a decade of experience with brand identities, designing for print & digital, website design and event design.

Through my art & design studio, That's Goodness Design, I offer design services and sell my original artwork. A lot of my custom hand-drawn work appears in my client projects.

When I’m not designing or drawing, I enjoy climbing/bouldering, lifting, going to movies, and hanging out with family & friends.

Mic Kuschel
Committee Chair

Claire Johnston
Cocktails with Creatives Co-Chair

Chris Hendler
Committee Co-chair, In-house Designers

Jack Wiese & Sierra Chowa
Co-Chairs, Design Camp®

Past Presidents

  • 2024-2026 Brent Larson, President
  • 2021-2024 Carla Januska, President
  • 2019-2021 Heather Michael, President
  • 2016-2019: Katrin Loss, President 1
  • 2014-2016: Jenny Price, President
  • 2012-2014: Jenny Schmitz-Hinshaw, President
  • 2010-2012: Seth Johnson, President
  • 2008-2010: Christina Jackson, President
  • 2006-2008: Jim Madson, President
  • 2004-2006: Amy Anderson, President
  • 2002-2004: Scott Geiger, President
  • 2000-2002: Joelle Sather (née Anderlik), President
  • 1998-2000: Doug Powell, President; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2014)
  • 1996-1998: Dan Woychick, President
  • 1994-1996: Grant Pound, President
  • 1992-1994: John DuFresne, President; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2012) 2
  • 1990-1991: Paul Wharton, President
  • 1988-1989: Jo Davison (née Strand), President; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2014)
  • 1986-1987: Carol Capistrant, President 3
  • 1985-1986: Mark Odegard, President, MGDA
  • 1984-1985: Bruce Rubin, President, MGDA
  • 1983-1984:  Heather Olson (née Soladay), President, 
MGDA; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2012) 4
  • 1982-1983: Robert “Bob” Fleming, President, MGDA
  • 1981-1982: Dale Johnston, President, MGDA
  • 1980-1981: Timothy “Tim” Larsen, President, MGDA; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2007)
  • 1979-1980: Patrick Redmond, Chairman > President, MGDA 5
  • 1978-1979: Peter Seitz, Chairman, MGDA; AIGA Minnesota [first] Fellow (2000)
  • 1977-1978: James “Jim” Johnson, Chairman, MGDA
  • 1976-1977: Timothy “Tim” Larsen, Founding Chairman, MGDA; AIGA Minnesota Fellow (2007)

Notes: 1. Three-year term 2. 1992-1994 First time AIGA Minnesota President is two-year term 3. MGDA becomes AIGA Minnesota (AIGA Minnesota Chapter) in 1986 4. First female president 5. Although elected with the title “Chairman”, title was changed from “Chairman” to “President.”

Contact Leadership

Rich Higgins
Rich Higgins
President
Rich Higgins is the Creative Director at Parallel Retail Group. His background is as diverse as a platypus.

He started his own design studio, Oryx & Moth, doing branding, art direction and design for clients big and small. Meanwhile he was the chair of the Solopreneurs Committee for AIGA MN (2022-2023) and served on the Design Student & Alumni Board at the University of Minnesota (2010-2013). Prior to that he worked at TSG, a design agency in Robbinsdale, for clients including: Target, HealthPartners and Crate & Barrel. He's also had a short stint designing for financial institutions (PNC Bank, Citibank and BBVA Compass). He started out designing and art directing photo shoots for multiple national salon chains throughout the US and Canada. And has had mediocre hairstyles since.

His interests vary widely with the season but he always willing to chat about DIY projects, soccer, LEGO, minimalism, FIRE, AI, technology, saunas, traveling, camping, parenting, etc.