Design Leadership 2025 – Melbourne

March, 2025

An attendee in an orange shirt listening intently during a session at Design Leadership 2025 in Melbourne, surrounded by a full room of participants.

Two attendees using a laptop during the morning tea break at Design Leadership 2025 in Melbourne, seated outdoors with coffee cups on the table.

Attendees at table 11 engage in a focused conversation during a breakout session at Design Leadership 2025, exchanging insights and ideas.

An attendee sketching an organisational chart during a session at Design Leadership 2025 in Melbourne, using a black marker on a worksheet.

Presenter Angela Bliss smiling during a session at Design Leadership 2025 in Melbourne, with attendees seated in the background.

Steph Ransom, with bright pink glasses speaks with energy during a roundtable discussion at Design Leadership 2025, surrounded by engaged peers.

Matt Kurowski listens intently during a Design Leadership 2025 session, surrounded by peers immersed in thoughtful discussion and note-taking.

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An attendee viewing the Design Leadership 2025 event schedule on their mobile phone, showing session titles and times on a dark background.

An attendee speaking with another person during a break at Design Leadership 2025 in Melbourne, seated outdoors with a glass of water on the table.

Event partners

Redefining design leadership for the future

Presenter Angela Bliss speaking at the podium during Design Leadership 2025 in Melbourne, with a laptop and microphone in front of her.

Could design leaders truly balance creativity, business impact, and team culture in a constantly evolving world? The event explored strategies that helped leaders navigate complexity and shape the future of design.

This day-long event brought together Australia’s top design leaders to explore new approaches, share insights, and prepare for the next era of the discipline.

Key topics included:

Leading teams through resource and culture challenges
Ensuring consistency amidst constant change
Exploring emerging trends and technologies shaping design’s future

What we explored

More insights, same price

This year, the program expanded to include a morning of presentations, doubling the opportunities for learning and connection while keeping the cost unchanged.

Knowledge exchange

With a focus on in-depth presentations, facilitated discussions, and networking, the roundtable provided a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Future of design leadership

Design visionaries came together to explore new perspectives, share insights, and collectively advance the future of design leadership in Australia.

Presenters and Table hosts

Abi Iyer

Head of Product Design, Easygo

Angela Bliss

Behavioural Scientist & Designer

Brad Alphonso

Senior Service Design Manager, Bupa

Rachel Zhang

Lead Experience Specialist

Steph Ransom

Service Design Chapter Lead, ANZ

Andrew Broughton

Practice Lead, Enterprise Design, WorkSafe Victoria

Selin Lanzafame

Group Head of Strategy, Asahi Beverages

David Bradford

UX Chapter Lead , Telstra

Michelle Spencer

Manager Workforce Capability, MLC Life Insurance

Ljuba Youngblom

Director of Product Design, Airwallex

Event format

There was a lot to love about this format. It maximised impact through a mix of dynamic presentations and deep, focused conversations that provoked new ideas and left lasting impressions.

Jon speaking at a Design Outlook event, dressed in a light gray suit and a white shirt. He holds a small clicker in his hand and gestures confidently while addressing the audience. The background features abstract purple and blue shapes, creating a vibrant and modern atmosphere.

Inspiring presentations

Attendees dove into transformative presentations that challenged the status quo and ignited powerful discussions. These sessions weren't just about exploring ideas. They catalysed actionable solutions.

A lively moment in a café-like setting with four women chatting around a wooden table near large windows. One stands smiling in a green t-shirt, while another seated in a striped top and blazer laughs warmly. The setting feels modern and friendly, with an urban view outside.

Engaged networking

We built meaningful connections over sustainable meals, drinks, and immersive experiences. The networking sessions fostered collaboration and left people feeling inspired.

A group of people sitting at a table during a conference, with a blonde woman in a denim jacket smiling in the centre

Facilitated roundtables

Attendees engaged in deep, focused discussions with peers. They explored diverse perspectives and generated actionable ideas. These sessions offered a unique opportunity to co-create solutions and challenge the status quo.

Guests networking during drinks after an event, engaging in lively conversations in a stylish indoor venue. The space features warm wooden accents, high-top tables with stools, and a softly lit backdrop, creating a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere to conclude the event.

Social wrap-up

The day ended with drinks, canapés, and conversations that extended the day's discussions in a relaxed setting. It created space for continued inspiration and lasting connections.

Location and accessibility

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DO Design Leadership Melbourne was hosted on the 5th floor of Hyatt Centric, 25 Downie St, Melbourne VIC 3000. It was a 7 minute walk from Southern Cross Station and a 15 minute walk from Flinders Street Station.

On arrival at the ground floor, reception staff directed guests to the event space. The floor was accessible by both escalator and elevator.

For interstate and international guests, the hotel provided wheelchair accessible rooms, with staff available to assist with specific needs.

Event partners

Principal Partners

Major Partners

Partners

Supporters