Hi, I'm Tessa!
I help leaders harness design as a force for environmental and social change.
As a visual design strategist and environmental advocate, I work at the intersection of creative thought leadership and positive change. My recent TEDx talk, “We Designed This Broken World. Now Let’s Fix It,” captures what I’ve learned across my own journey… From studying marine ecology as a teenager to Global Sustainability at UVA to Design Management at Georgetown. Every turn revealed the same truth: transformation happens when we align environmental strategy with human-centered design.
Today, I lead brand strategy at Georgetown University while co-hosting Propolis, a podcast for creative minds who yearn to make a difference. This project explores how changemakers across industries are harnessing design ethics and creative leadership to drive meaningful change. Our conversations dig into the messy, beautiful reality of doing work that matters—and staying true to yourself in the process.
My speaking work has taken me from opening the Georgetown Sustainability Summit to leading sessions at staff training events and marketing conferences. In 2023, my advocacy work positioned me to represent Georgetown at the White House Forum for Climate Solutions. Whether I’m on stage or in strategy sessions, I’m asking the same question: How can we transform our greatest challenges into our most meaningful work?
Raised in Virginia’s Blue Ridge, my connection to the land isn’t theoretical—it’s personal. When I’m not strategizing or storytelling, you’ll find me on our family farm with my husband and bright-eyed son. They’re my daily reminder of why this work matters, and who we’re building a better world for.
Speaking & Collaboration
I speak on topics including:
- Design Ethics & Environmental Responsibility
- Transforming Grief into Purpose
- Building Sustainable Brand Strategies
Ready to explore how purpose-driven design can transform your event or organization? Let’s talk.