InsideOut Design Leader Community

In 2025, we saw over 1 million workers displaced and a 'wild west' approach to AI. As we look at 2026, which is the bigger priority for your team: fixing the alignment between your people and tech, or rebuilding your operational model to prove ROI? Leaders in our InsideOut Design Leader Community shared their top priorities in this article written by Susie Hall.

AI is setting the pace. What are design leaders doing to turn disruption into a strategic advantage and reclaim design’s irreplaceable value? Read our full article for insights from our InsideOut Design Leader Community (link in comments). If you're a senior design leader of an in-house team at a high-profile brand and want to connect with others who share your unique challenges, let's talk. 👋 Our InsideOut Design Leader Community hosts small-format roundtables to support the learning and growth of our members, and we’re honored to facilitate those discussions. Check out our upcoming sessions and join the conversation! (https://lnkd.in/gZbJ4Z9E) -- Angela Castelo Suzanne Alpizar Noelle McDonald Lauren Monroe Sarah-Tyler Moore Lisa Mitchell Kathleen Ellison Lori Schaub Kessler Kelly Collins Maggie Patterson Ryan Krivonick Amanda Malone Jeff Penner Lauren Friant Carole Smith Katie O'Donnell Jason Boyer Elizabeth Toenyes Maggie Moreno Keeton Cheryl King Berry Abbie Hatch (Thiebaut) Jody Mousseau Den M. Susie Hall Kate Gottfried Aquent Simon Lusty

In our latest 'Read to Lead' series, discover the books that have inspired our senior leaders. Together, let's explore new ideas through resources shared by really amazing and smart leaders. 📚 We'll provide a little context from our conversations, but encourage you to click through to find the best resources for YOUR challenges: 📗 Powered by Projects by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez (https://a.co/d/0fuJbx04) If you want insights into the "project economy," this guide reveals how to center your organization around high-value transformation. 📘 Energy Rising by Dr. Julia DiGangi (https://a.co/d/0dTwz4eC) If you want insights into your emotional power, these neuropsychological codes reveal how to harness the brain's energy for impact. 📙 The Art of Laziness by Library Mindset (https://a.co/d/0gdK6dZL) If you want insights into reclaiming your time, this guide reveals how to overcome laziness and finally start building your dream life. Kick-off your weekend with this inspiring list and check back each week for more recommendations from our amazing InsideOut members. -- #aquentinsideout, #ioreadtoleadseries Angela Castelo Suzanne Alpizar Noelle McDonald Lauren Monroe Sarah-Tyler Moore Lisa Mitchell Kathleen Ellison Lori Schaub Kessler Kelly Collins Maggie Patterson Ryan Krivonick Amanda Malone Jeff Penner Lauren Friant Carole Smith Katie O'Donnell Jason Boyer Elizabeth Toenyes Maggie Moreno Keeton Cheryl King Berry Abbie Hatch (Thiebaut) Jody Mousseau Den M. Susie Hall Kate Gottfried Aquent Simon Lusty Photo by Edoardo Botez on Unsplash (https://lnkd.in/dyZZ_MXR)

We recently gathered some feedback from our InsideOut Design Leader Community, and we wanted to share a few of the insights directly from the leaders who make these sessions what they are. 🫶 Every session we host, and every topic we discuss, comes directly from the leaders in our group. The ones actually doing the work and navigating the challenges in real-time. Our role is simply to hold the space and guide the conversation. ➡️ Swipe through to see what our members have to say about their experience and the programming we offer. We’re so grateful for the trust our leaders put in us to facilitate these spaces. It’s a privilege to learn alongside them. ❤️ If you’re a senior Design, Creative, or Experience leader at a high-profile brand looking for a curated space to navigate leadership challenges with peers, please reach out. We’d love to see if this community is the right fit for you. Susie Hall Kate Gottfried Aquent

There’s simply no arguing that the past two years have disrupted the design function inside organizations. Reaction to these developments has led to deep conversations among senior design leaders in our InsideOut Design Leader Community. ➡️ Click through to learn how design leaders are reclaiming their strategic value in 2026. This year marks a shift from defense to offense, as design leaders treat the evolution of technology as an opportunity to thrive and ensure their impact remains both measurable and irreplaceable. 👀 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gYd9JMGh -- Angela Castelo Suzanne Alpizar Noelle McDonald Lauren Monroe Sarah-Tyler Moore Lisa Mitchell Kathleen Ellison Lori Schaub Kessler Kelly Collins Maggie Patterson Ryan Krivonick Amanda Malone Jeff Penner Lauren Friant Carole Smith Katie O'Donnell Jason Boyer Elizabeth Toenyes Maggie Moreno Keeton Cheryl King Berry Abbie Hatch (Thiebaut) Jody Mousseau Den M. Susie Hall Kate Gottfried Aquent Simon Lusty

Creative Teams long strived to be seen as strategic advisors to their internal stakeholders. However, as stakeholders scramble to show impact from AI investments, often questioning the need for Creative Teams at all, any progress made in shifting perception from order taker to business partner has been lost. But this year, Ops leaders are not looking to return to the status quo. They are redefining excellence and exploring uncharted paths to deliver more business value through operations. 👀 Read the full article for more insights: https://lnkd.in/gPXzFtyW -- Angela Castelo Suzanne Alpizar Noelle McDonald Lauren Monroe Sarah-Tyler Moore Lisa Mitchell Kathleen Ellison Lori Schaub Kessler Kelly Collins Maggie Patterson Ryan Krivonick Amanda Malone Jeff Penner Lauren Friant Carole Smith Katie O'Donnell Jason Boyer Elizabeth Toenyes Maggie Moreno Keeton Cheryl King Berry Abbie Hatch (Thiebaut) Jody Mousseau Den M. Susie Hall Kate Gottfried Aquent Simon Lusty

In our latest 'Read to Lead' series, discover the books that have inspired our senior leaders. Together, let's explore new ideas through resources shared by really amazing and smart leaders. 📚 We'll provide a little context from our conversations, but encourage you to click through to find the best resources for YOUR challenges: 📗 Think Again by Adam Grant (https://a.co/d/02kbnAmR) If you’re looking for a guide to staying sharp, these insights reveal why rethinking is more valuable than initial intelligence. 📘 Good Arguments by Bo Seo (https://a.co/d/0c2KsT1u) If you’re looking for a guide to mastering healthy conflict, these insights reveal how structured debate skills transform disagreements into growth. 📙 Click by Jake Knapp (https://a.co/d/0bcyfTDm) If you’re looking for a proven system to start projects, these lessons reveal how to move quickly toward a winning solution. Kick-off your weekend with this inspiring list and check back each week for more recommendations from our amazing InsideOut members. -- #aquentinsideout, #ioreadtoleadseries Angela Castelo Suzanne Alpizar Noelle McDonald Lauren Monroe Sarah-Tyler Moore Lisa Mitchell Kathleen Ellison Lori Schaub Kessler Kelly Collins Maggie Patterson Ryan Krivonick Amanda Malone Jeff Penner Lauren Friant Carole Smith Katie O'Donnell Jason Boyer Elizabeth Toenyes Maggie Moreno Keeton Cheryl King Berry Abbie Hatch (Thiebaut) Jody Mousseau Den M. Susie Hall Kate Gottfried Aquent Simon Lusty Photo by Edoardo Botez on Unsplash (https://lnkd.in/dyZZ_MXR)

There’s zero doubt that 2026 will bring more change, but one thing is certain: Creative Ops leaders are ready. They intend to lead the charge this year to drive business impact and effectively advocate for their teams. By aligning people and technologies, resetting the bar for operational excellence, and exploring new models built for transformation, they’re sure to find success. Read the full article for more insights from our InsideOut Design Leader Community: https://lnkd.in/gPXzFtyW -- Angela Castelo Suzanne Alpizar Noelle McDonald Lauren Monroe Sarah-Tyler Moore Lisa Mitchell Kathleen Ellison Lori Schaub Kessler Kelly Collins Maggie Patterson Ryan Krivonick Amanda Malone Jeff Penner Lauren Friant Carole Smith Katie O'Donnell Jason Boyer Elizabeth Toenyes Maggie Moreno Keeton Cheryl King Berry Abbie Hatch (Thiebaut) Jody Mousseau Den M. Susie Hall Kate Gottfried Aquent Simon Lusty

Creative Operations has grown so much in the past 10 years. What started as a service function is now a strategic discipline shaping how brands create, scale, and measure content — especially in an AI-accelerated world. But, Creative Ops isn't static - it's always growing, stretching, and evolving. If you’re working in Creative or Content Ops and are feeling the pull toward deeper strategy, stronger positioning, and greater influence, check out Rutgers Continuing and Professional Studies' Advanced Creative Operations Certificate Program. 🤔 Interested in learning more? Watch a recording of the recent info session: https://lnkd.in/enFAEJTb 🗓️ Ready to take your career to the next level? Register today! https://lnkd.in/eTPrAyzQ Plus, InsideOut Design Leader Community members receive 20% off with code ACO20% at registration. -- Clair Carter-Ginn, Heidi Tuneberg, Hoon Kim, Susie Hall, Kate Gottfried #CreativeOperations #CreativeLeadership #ContentStrategy

The past two years have disrupted design teams in ways we've never seen before. Between sweeping layoffs, the elimination of senior leadership roles, and an unquenchable thirst for tech solutions to solve human problems, trust has eroded. In our recent InsideOut Design Leader Community roundtable sessions, design leaders shared their intent for the year, to cement the role of design within business transformation while keeping well-established principles intact. Here are the top priorities for Design Leaders for the year ahead: 🛡️ Integrity in the Age of AI: Preserving the soul of design methods even as AI accelerates the pace of delivery. Human-led design isn't a bottleneck, it’s the safeguard for quality. ✨ Cutting Through the Noise: Moving past "busy work" to deliver truly impactful, high-value solutions that prove design’s worth to the business. 📈 Real-World AI Application: Transitioning from "What if?" to "What works." Leaders are moving AI out of the experimental phase and into rigorous, real-world applications. This year, design leaders are shifting from defense to offense, treating the evolution of technology as an opportunity to thrive and ensure their impact remains measurable and irreplaceable. 👀 Read the full article for the complete insights from our InsideOut Design Leader Community: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gYd9JMGh --- Angela Castelo Suzanne Alpizar Noelle McDonald Lauren Monroe Sarah-Tyler Moore Lisa Mitchell Kathleen Ellison Lori Schaub Kessler Kelly Collins Maggie Patterson Ryan Krivonick Amanda Malone Jeff Penner Lauren Friant Carole Smith Katie O'Donnell Jason Boyer Elizabeth Toenyes Maggie Moreno Keeton Cheryl King Berry Abbie Hatch (Thiebaut) Jody Mousseau Den M. Susie Hall Kate Gottfried Aquent Simon Lusty