Scott Kubie is the author of Writing for Designers and the Lead Content Strategist at Brain Traffic, where he helps organizations of all kinds solve their wicked website problems. Scott was the first UX content strategist at Wolfram Research, and has been working on the content side of digital experiences since 2009. A popular and energetic speaker, Scott has delivered over 60 public talks and workshops about UX and content strategy to international audiences. Scott lives and works in Northeast Minneapolis, and enjoys biking, running, and performing his music at open mic nights.

After working at Vetta-Zelo, FLM, Media Loft and Ideas That Kick, Melanie G. S. Walby made the switch to the nonprofit world, working as a full-time-part-timer at Juxtaposition Arts and Pollen before going into her full-time role at Pollen Midwest in 2018. She’s a former board member and former Associate Director of the Sustainable Design Committee for AIGA Minnesota. She was recently named one of AdFed’s “32 Under 32” and has been featured in Communication Arts, blackswho.design, and Adobe Creative Jam.

Alex works as a Designer at Zeus Jones, specializing in creating products, brands, and experiences with meaning

As a strategist at Zeus Jones, Sarah leads teams on a variety of projects, from brand innovation to service and experience design. Sarah loves getting teams excited about projects that at first glance feel impossible. With over a decade of experience, Sarah’s helped guide marketing at companies including General Mills, Apple and Whole Foods Market. At Zeus Jones, she also helps shape our approach to employee growth.

Sarah Bieber is a senior web designer at Click Rain, a digital marketing agency in Sioux Falls, SD. She leads the Click Rain team with design-thinking strategies, user testing research and web design. With nearly 10 years of experience in fine arts and marketing, she has a wide range of design and creative applications. A deep passion for hand lettering lead her to launch Ink & Type Co., a small shop selling hand lettered artwork. She nerds out on all things creative-thinking, design psychology and cat GIFs.

Abby Haddican is a multidisciplinary designer who works in branding, packaging, typography, illustration, and fine art. A South Dakota native, Abby holds a B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota, and received her design education at the College of Visual Arts. Her work has been recognized by Communication Arts, the TDC, Print, AIGA 50 Books/50 Covers, AIGA Minnesota, and the Tokyo Type Directors Club, among others. When Abby’s not working, she enjoys reading, running, dance-cleaning, day-drinking, public radio, one-way feuds, practical jokes, singing in the shower, and working her fingers to the bone. Her studio is in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Jason Yoh and Niki Sauer-Yoh have been working together on various letterpress projects since 2013 when they designed and printed their own wedding invitations together. Today their house is home to the same number of printing presses as children (3). Before they met, Jason studied printmaking at The Cleveland Institute of Art and Niki studied Studio Art and Art History at the University of Minnesota - Morris. Combined they have like a million years experience working in Printing and Marketing around the Twin Cities.

Bert Lee is a speaker, dancer and digital magician. He specializes in public speaking and is a member of Toastmasters club competing in speech competitions and hosting his own workshops teaching the art of effective communication, listening and building confidence on stage with an understanding of body language. With Bert being an active dancer, he oversees a community group called Hmong Breakers Leadership Council organizing local charity events and dance competitions in support of his local dancers and artists. Bert enjoys designing marketing collaterals and visuals to craft compelling brand stories for small businesses.

Co-Presenters Emily Bartz, Claudia Dubé and Briana Vanderlinde

Kick has been transforming brands for almost 20 years. As the creative lead, Stefan — alongside a team of brilliant women whose talents span the branding and design spectrum — has designed packaging for everything from skincare and cereal to soda, alcohol and pet feed. Stefan and three of Kick’s top designers will share their insights on designing packaging for today’s online-savvy consumers. 

Michelle is an independent graphic designer and frontend developer in Minneapolis. Prior to beginning her career, she studied Visual Communications, with minors in Psychology and Sociology. As her work progressed, she also branched into front-end development and user experience design to round our her skillset. This combination of disciplines led her to adopt a strategy-based approach to design, focused on solving tangible problems and achieving real goals based on how people think. Now, she collaborates on projects with clients ranging from solopreneurs to enterprise. She loves the open source community, and when she is not working on projects she speaks/volunteers/organizes at events and workshops around the country, including serving as the Director of Technology for AIGA Minnesota. Her passions are communication and empowerment, and she believes in the power of "Why?"