Optimistic Design Studio
About Us
Womxn-led, committed to equitable impact
With expertise spanning education, global health, fintech, government, and a variety of other domains, we are united by our passion for tackling complex and seemingly intractable problems. Our collective perspective, informed by our identities as womxn, immigrants, and individuals of color, enriches our approach to problem-solving and our work.
Our Team
Sheryl Cababa
Chief Strategy Officer
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SL Rao
VP, Design Research + Strategy
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Amanda Di Dio
VP, Partnerships + Operations
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Amanda Forbes
Associate Principal Program Manager
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Kat Ward
Associate Principal Strategist
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Sam Gil Vargas
Senior Researcher
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What We Value
Diverse Perspectives: We value, elevate, and center the unique lived experiences of each team member and those we partner with to enrich our approach ensuring inclusivity and relevance in our solutions.
Creative Collaboration: We believe in the power of collaboration, fostering an environment where ideas flourish and innovation thrives through creative methods.
Relational Connections: We strive to build a culture of care to nourish and support our teams, organizations, and lived experts we partner with.
Continuous Learning: We are committed to ongoing learning and growth, fostering an environment where we seek new ways of thinking and embrace feedback to improve our practice.
Transparency: We uphold integrity and transparency in all our interactions, fostering trust with our clients and partners.
Let’s Design the Future of Learning, Together