Stanford Life Design Lab
The Life Design Lab at Stanford teaches courses, delivers programs and tools, and conducts research applying the innovation principles of Design Thinking to the problems of life, education, and vocation.
BILL BURNETT
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Bill is the Executive Director of the Design Program at Stanford. He holds a number of mechanical and design patents, and design awards for a variety of products including the first “slate” computer. In addition to his duties at Stanford, he is on the Board of VOZ (pronounced “VAWS – it means voice in Spanish) a social responsible high fashion startup and advises several Internet start-up companies.
DAVE EVANS
Co-founder
Dave Evans has been on a mission to help others find and pursue theirs ever since his undergrad days at Stanford. Along the way, he co-founded Electronic Arts and introduced the computer mouse to the world while at Apple.
KATHY DAVIES
Managing Director + Life Design Studio Lead
Kathy has 15 years of experience developing electromechanical and software products, and proudly holds five patents. She consults with Silicon Valley companies, teaches design thinking, conducts ethnographic research, and develops product strategies and concepts. Kathy is also the co-creator of “Designing Your Life for Women” and a passionate advocate for design thinking as a methodology to empower social change.
SHANICE WEBB
Lecturer + Fellow
Shanice is committed to helping students gain insight, clarity and motivation towards creating a meaningful life, and has spent the last three years teaching and co-creating life design curriculum within higher education.
Through the International Coaching Federation, Shanice is a certified life coach, and has worked with both young professionals and college students helping them connect their curiosities to their purpose.
Shanice is passionate about living a healthy, well-balanced life, and received her MA in Health and Wellness from Tulane University.
URMILA VENKATESH
Lecturer + Fellow
Urmila aims to help people explore the depths of their past, experience peace of mind in the present, and find delight in possible futures. Her career in higher education began as a labor organizer for graduate teachers, then as an instructional and curriculum designer, and later as a career coach and team lead for PhD students seeking meaningful work.
Urmila is committed to integrating life design principles and to creating greater equity in design thinking practices. She brings a formal background in architecture, photography, and graphic design; her informal training includes perfecting the art of the follow-up question, opening people up by asking about their most cherished objects, and finding the right Spotify playlist for every occasion.
CHRISTIAN SIMAMORA
Lecturer + Fellow
Chris believes the highest form of work catalyzes personal growth while serving others. Chris has taught elementary school, coached college students and emerging social entrepreneurs, and led nonprofit programs focused on the empowerment of youth of color, leadership development and equity in the workforce.
His personal practices include meditation, exercise, reciting The Five Remembrances, and reflecting on the question from The Four Rivers.
Chris is in his flow state when he is creating, coaching, practicing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, having lingering dinner and conversation with close friends, and taking in the sound of his son’s laughter.
DUSTIN LIU
Lecturer + Fellow
Dustin trusts in the power of community-centered learning to catalyze greater belonging, meaning and purpose.
Outside of the Life Design Lab, Dustin works as a strategist supporting performance and impact transformations for purpose-driven organizations.
You can often find him listening to Broadway soundtracks on repeat, attempting to find the perfect lemon at our local farmer’s market, and trying out new hobbies (currently learning how to sew)!
Facilitators & Interns
Our classes are supported by an amazing crew of facilitators and interns.
ACADEMIC YEAR 2021 - 2022
WILL SHAN DYL F22/F21, DYS SP20/W19
Facilitator
Will is a Psychology undergrad deeply interested in transformative experience design and alternative education.
JESSE STREICHER DYS F22
Facilitator
Jesse is a graduate student researcher and educator in mechanical engineering studying high-temperature chemistry, and he enjoys spending his free time reading, cooking, running, hiking, or skiing.
ACADEMIC YEAR 2020 - 2021
ARAME MBODJ DYL F20
Facilitator
Arame is an Assistant Director of Career Catalysts at Stanford’s BEAM Career Education.
CHIARA GIOVANNI DYL F20
Facilitator
Chiara is a PhD candidate in Comparative Literature working on an essay collection about desire, care, and intimacy.
FAWN QIU DYL SP21
Facilitator
Fawn currently works in product management in the technology industry while exploring her education passion through teaching on the side.
NELSON SHUCHMACHER ENDEBO DYL W21
Facilitator
Nelson is an experienced educator and mentor passionate about pedagogical innovation, community impact and EdTech ventures.
ELLIS SCHRIEFER DYL W21
Facilitator
Ellis is an Iberian and Latin American PhD student and instructor passionately researching the formation of community within urban neighborhoods in Madrid and Barcelona while also honing her gardening skills in California!
ALEX GOPINATHAN DYL SP21
Facilitator
Alex is a management consultant at McKinsey who graduated from Stanford with a M.S. in MS&E. He also has a passion for teaching, social impact, and volunteering small acts of kindness.
SHANIA SANTANA DYS SP21
Facilitator
Shania just graduated with a B.A. in Urban Studies, is currently living in New York, and is pursuing opportunities in urban planning and youth development.
ANA MARTINS DYL SP21
Facilitator
Ana recently graduated from Stanford with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in MS&E and currently works as a Venture Capital investor at Atlántico. She is passionate about innovation in Latin America, criminal justice, and photography.
GRAY FARLEY DYS SP21
Facilitator
Gray is an undergraduate at studying Engineering Physics with a passion for wellness and the outdoors.
LARA SPENCER DYS W21
Facilitator
Lara is a Philosophy PhD student who divides her time between grappling with questions regarding the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge, and playing ukulele in the mountains.
ACADEMIC YEAR 2019 - 2020
ANGIE HAWKINS DtP SP20
Facilitator
Angie works with graduate students at VPGE, teaches private voice lessons on the side, and is passionate about intersectional social justice!
BLANCA VIRREY DtP SP20
Facilitator
Blanca enjoys connecting and building community in Higher Ed and has a keen interest in supporting people from diverse backgrounds.
ASHLEY EBERLE DYS SP20
Facilitator
Ashley is a manager and career coach who leads the Frosh/Soph team in BEAM, Stanford Career Education.
MEREDITH O’HARE DtP SP20
Facilitator
Meredith is the Associate Director of EdCareers at the Stanford Graduate School of Education where she guides education students and professionals on their career path.
SARAH JOELSON DYL SP20, DYL SU20
Facilitator
Sarah is a Clinical Psychology Doctorate Student at the PGSP-Stanford Consortium. She is interested in the application of design thinking to the mental health field! She facilitated two times and loved every minute of getting to know the students and their odysseys.
NELIA RODRIGUEZ DYL F19, DYS W20, DYL SP20, DYS F20, DYL W21, DYL SP21
Facilitator
Nelia is the Student Services Manager at Stanford Global Studies Division.
KRISTEN AZEVEDO DYS F19
Facilitator
Kristen is an Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Development in Stanford Athletics.
HAYMITCH STEVENS DYS F19/F20, DtP SP20, DYL W20
Facilitator
Haymitch runs a design school that helps students find meaning and purpose through their own design projects.
MARISA MISSION DYL SU20, DYL F20, DYS W21, DYS SP21
Facilitator
Marisa is a c/o '21 International Relations graduate with a passion for education. After taking DYL in Spring '20, she's facilitated every quarter since, including with DYS, and adores connecting with her section students, especially over energy engagement, strengths, decision-making!
Academic Year 2018 - 2019
MAIJA CRUZ DYL SP19 Facilitator
Maija is a multi-passionate creative currently working in Higher Ed while designing a simpler life on a horse ranch. . .
CIERRA GILLISON
DYS W19/DYL SU20 Facilitator
Cierra is a Program Associate with Residential Education.
BROOKE ARMSTRONG DYL SP19 Facilitator
Brooke has a PhD in Neuroscience, a background in art and interaction design, and a psychology counseling practice in SF. .
IRINA STHAPIT DtP SP19 Facilitator
Irina is an Engineer, Educator and Designer, currently studying ‘Learning, Design and Technology’ at Stanford GSE
LESLIE GARVIN DYL SP19 Facilitator
Leslie is the Senior Program Director, Cardinal Careers at the Haas Center for Public Service and directs several public service fellowships. .
ALLIE DA CAR DYL SP19 Facilitator
Allie’s goals include starting a business that promotes economic equality, travel, to start a family, to stay physically active, and to ALWAYS be a youth mentor.
MARTA HANSEN DYL SP19 Facilitator
Marta Hanson is a strengths-based leadership coach & facilitator and serves as the Assistant Dean & Associate Director of the Stanford Women’s Community Center.
NORA BRACKBILL DtP SP19 Facilitator
Nora is a physicist-turned-neuroscientist in PhD year six who enjoys science podcasting and playing volleyball, and exploring the Bay Area.
JOHANNA DAY SGSI Facilitator
Johanna is a PhD candidate in Bioengineering, and uses design thinking to solve problems in her research, her life and others’.
ROY ANG SGSI and DtP SP19 Facilitator
Roy is a Genetics PhD student in the Stanford School of Medicine.
MICHAEL HAHN SGSI Facilitator
Michael is a PhD Candidate in Sociology, and is fascinated by the power of social connections
GITANJALI BHATTACHARJEE DYL F18 Facilitator
Gitanjali is a DtP alum and first-year PhD student in structural engineering.
MICHELLE HULL DYL F18 Facilitator
Michelle is a senior majoring in American Studies with a concentration in the History of Wellness in America.
KADY RICHARDSON DYL F18 Facilitator
Kady is a master's student in the Sociology department at Stanford.
LEELA SRINIVASAN
Leela is an alum of Designing Your Stanford and Designing the Professional, majoring in Communication and Psychology.
ERIC WILBURN Eric is CEO and Co-founder at Karuna Initiative
ANDREW EPIFANIO DYL W19 Facilitator
Andrew is the Cardinal Careers Coordinator at Stanford's Haas Center for Public Service.
DANIELLE WOOD
DYS W19 Facilitator
Danielle is the Associate Dean and Director of Career Catalysts at Stanford’s BEAM Career Education.
DIANA SUEDBECK
DYS W19 Facilitator
Diana is the New Student Programs Manager in Stanford’s Undergraduate Advising and Research (UAR).
JOSLYN JOHNSON
DYS F18 Facilitator
Joslyn is the Assistant Director of Career Catalysts at Stanford’s BEAM Career Education. .
COLLEEN McCALLION
DYS F18 & F16 Facilitator
Colleen is the Assistant Director of Career Communities for Frosh/Soph at Stanford’s BEAM Career Education.
Academic Year 2017 - 2018
ERIKA M WELCH
DtP S18 Facilitator
Erika is a Sloan Fellow in the Stanford GSB MsX Program, and has a background in strategic consulting.
MANUEL RINCON CRUZ
DtP S18 Facilitator
Manny is a research associate at the Hoover Institution, a director at a political and macro risk advisory firm, and a founding advisor at SesameOpen.
SHANNON BIRK JIBAJA
DtP S18 Facilitator
Shannon is Associate Director of Educational Programs for VPGE, and passionate about helping grad students develop skills for academic and career success.
LAURA PICKEL
DtP S18 Facilitator
Laura is a designer and educator developing and supporting curriculum at SAP, IDEO U and the d.school.
EM HAVENS
DtP S18 Facilitator
Em is a Senior Systems Designer at IDEO and IDEO U with a background in venture philanthropy and leadership ed.
NING DE-EKNAMKUL
DYS S18 Facilitator & Intern
Ning is a master's student in the Learning, Design and Technology program at Stanford.
QUINCY MINGO
DYS S18 Facilitator
Quincy is a Program Associate Director with Residential Education.
DAYO MITCHELL
DYS W18 Facilitator
Dayo is the Associate Director with Stanford Introductory Studies, where she heads up the Sophomore College Program.
MEGAN DINO
DYS W18 Facilitator
Megan is the Assistant Director of Career Ventures - Business, Consulting, Finance & Government at BEAM.
DANNY ALVAREZ
DYS W18 Facilitator
Danny is the Assistant Director of the Diversity and First Generation office.
MIRANDA SHEPHERD
DYS F17 Facilitator
Miranda is an interdisciplinary artist/writer and is the Arts in Student Life Coordinator for Stanford Arts.
CARI COSTANZO
DYS F17 Facilitator
Cari is a Cultural Anthropologist and Academic Director for Undergraduate Advising & Research at Stanford.
MARYANN TUNG
DYL W18 Facilitator
Maryann is a PhD Candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford.
TESSA FORSHAW
DYL W18 Facilitator
Tessa is an alum of Designing the Professional, and is currently completing a Masters in Learning, Design, and Technology.
CAYLA HATTON
DYL W18 Facilitator
Cayla is an alum of Designing Your Life majoring in Psychology with a specialization in Neuroscience.
BEN BOWMAN
Curriculum Design Intern
Ben helped to develop "Designing Your Career" and is a Master's student in the Stanford Graduate School of Education.
NATHANIEL BERGER
DYS F17 Facilitator
Nathaniel is an Assistant Director of Career Communities at BEAM for Stanford Frosh/Soph.
NETTA WANG
Curriculum Design Intern &
DYS StoryCraft Facilitator
Netta is an alum of Designing Your Stanford and majoring in Sociology.
REBECCA ROSE
DYL F17 & S17 Facilitator
Eliza is an alum of Designing Your Life majoring in Human Biology with a minor in Urban Studies.
VANESSA OCHAVILLO
DYL F17 & S17 Facilitator
Vanessa is an alum of Designing Your Life and Cardinal Service Coordinator at Stanford's Haas Center for Public Service.
GENAI LEWIS
DYL F17 and W18 Facilitator
Genai is an alum of Designing Your Life majoring in Philosophy and loves making mazes for her rats Kitty and Bagel.
EMMA CHENG
DYL F17 Facilitator
Emma is an alum of DtP and Stanford Taiwan Biodesign Visiting Scholar.
RACHELLE SLOSS
DYL F17 Facilitator
Rachelle is a learning experience designer who has spent the last 6 years working and traveling in Africa and Latin America.
ERIKA NOBLE
DYL F17 Facilitator
Erika is an alum of Designing Your Life majoring in MS&E with a minor in Spanish.
FIONA LEE
SGSI F17 Facilitator
Fiona is a PhD Candidate in Social Psychology at the Clayman Institute for Gender Research at Stanford
JEREMY HUNT
SGSI F17 Facilitator
Jeremy received his MA at Stanford and is a graduate of the Designing the Professional course. He currently works on Machine Learning at twoXAR.
LINGTONG SUN
SGSI F17 Facilitator
Lingtong is a graduate of the Designing Your Stanford and Designing Your Life courses and currently works as a software engineer at DoorDash
ANDREW SATANAPONG
SGSI F17 Facilitator + DYS F16 Facilitator
Andrew is a Counselor for Stanford OHS.
Academic Year 2016 - 2017
ALIZA HOFFMAN
DtP S17 Facilitator
Aliza is an alum of DtP and a Masters candidate in the Learning, Design, and Technology program at Stanford.
CHRIS GOLDE
DtP S17 Facilitator
Chris is Assistant Director of Career Communities for PhDs & postdocs at Stanford.
ANDRES LAZO
DtP S17 Facilitator
Andres is an Innovation Specialist at 18F, a civic consultancy for the government.
TRACY BRANDENBURG
DtP S17 Facilitator
Tracy is an anthropologist who specializes in Design Thinking, a lecturer at Cornell, and an Executive Design Thinking Coach at Stanford.
DENISE BENATAR
DtP S17 Facilitator
Denise is a seasoned design thinking facilitator, attorney and alum of Stanford.
OLIVIA MARTINEZ-STEWART
DtP S17 Facilitator
Olivia is Assistant Director of Career Communities - Engineering at Stanford.
ELIZA KLYCE
DYL S17 Facilitator
Eliza is an alum of Designing Your Life and majoring in Computer Science.
MATT MISTELE
DYL S17 Facilitator
Matt is an alum of Designing Your Life and majoring in Mathematical & Computational Science.
SHELLEY WILLIAMSON
DYS S17 Facilitator
Shelley is a Learning & Development Consultant at SAP.
DAVID GLASGOW
DYS S17 Facilitator
David is an Assistant Director of Experiential Education at Stanford
URMILA VENKATESH
SGSI 16 & DYS W17 Facilitator
Urmila is Assistant Dean of Career Education & Associate Director of Career Catalysts - Curriculum Design at Stanford
MICK SMYER
DYS W17 Facilitator
Mick is a Fellow in Civic Innovation at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.
HIROSHI ISHII-ADAJAR
DYL W17 Facilitator
Hiroshi is an alum of Designing Your Life and Senior at Stanford, majoring in Mathematics.
KATHERINE NOBLES
DYL W17 Facilitator
Katherine is Assistant Director of Career Communities at Stanford
JUSTIN NEIMAN
DYL W17 Facilitator
Justin is Assistant Dean of Residence Education at Stanford.
ANNIE VLECK
DYL F16 Facilitator
Annie is Assistant Director of Career Catalysts for Stanford alumni.
SUSAN BURNETT
DYL F16 Instructor & Facilitator
Susan is an leadership development consultant.
LACONA WOLTMON
SGSI 16 Facilitator
LaCona is a College Director for the Freshman-Sophomore College at Stanford.
History
The core ideas for the Designing Your Life class and the other classes that have resulted at Stanford are almost eight years in the making. It all started when Dave Evans asked Bill Burnett to lunch to pitch him an idea about a class to help his product design students “find jobs.” Dave hypothesized that these students, being in a very multidisciplinary and unique major, might have more trouble than most finding their first job. Dave describes the meeting this way, “I thought this was going to be a multipart discussion and that I’d have to have a couple of meetings to sell Bill on this idea. Within 15 minutes, I had the deal done!” Bill’s version is simpler, “Dave hit on need that I’d been working on for 15 years in office hours, one student at a time. Given Dave’s experience teaching a class on vocation at Berkley and his success as a business guy and an executive coach, when he suggested teaching a class together I jumped at the chance to work with him.”
Practicing what they preach, Dave and Bill decided to run a quick, low resolution prototype of the design thinking material they were considering using. Bill invited eight current and former advisees to a 2 hour, two night session over the summer. The Wednesday session went great; the Thursday session just wouldn’t stop. After the two hours of planned exercises, the students took over the discussion. Around eleven, when Bill and Dave insisted that they were done, one of the students turned to them and said, “No, we are not done yet. This is important stuff and you don’t understand. We don’t have any place in our lives where we can talk about this stuff!”
Zoom forward to today where the Life Design Lab hosts three classes at Stanford, and are some of the most popular electives on campus. They’ve refined the design exercises again and again to make them more efficient and actionable. The method has been the subject of two PhD theses and had demonstrated significant results in helping people design the life they want. The method is centered on the principles taught in the Product Design Program and the d.school at Stanford. Called “design thinking”, it is a process and a way of thinking about tough-to-solve problems. Most importantly, these classes provides a “place to talk about this stuff.”
Hear more from Bill & Dave:
Careers
Course Facilitator
Open positions every quarter. Part-time, 3 hours a week, unpaid. Learn more here.
Open position available for Academic Year 2018-19. Full-time, salaried position. Learn more here.