Tag: inclusion

Maja Lalic is an architect, expert in gender equality, and regenerative urban development. Recognized by The New York Times as one of “Belgrade’s most progressive architects,” Maja is the founder of the Mikser organization, as well as the creative director of the Mikser Festival, dedicated to sustainable development and design.

As an architect and urban planner educated at Columbia University in New York, Maja advocates for participatory urban practices involving citizens and the application of nature-based solutions in urban environments. For her urban revitalization projects and efforts to engage citizens in the planning process, she has received awards from the Belgrade Salon of Architecture and distinctions such as the Lucille Smyser Lowenfish Memorial Prize and the Kinne Fellows Memorial Prize from Columbia University.

Maja also co-founded the Women’s Architectural Society, founded Young Balkan Designers, and initiated the Balkan Design Network to promote regional young talents in the field of sustainable design.

With a solid background in Business and Institutional Communication, complemented by a Master’s in Scientific and Environmental Communication from UPF in Barcelona and an MBA in Sustainability and Environmental Management from FGV in Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Palma has built a career shaped by unwavering personal values and a strong commitment to positive social impact, with a particular focus on sustainability, creativity, and social innovation.

He has primarily worked within institutions, NGOs, and the higher education sector at a global level, taking on increasing responsibilities and challenges. Much of his career unfolded within the IED – Istituto Europeo di Design network, where he began in 2007 in Barcelona as a Teacher and Course Coordinator. Later, he moved to Brazil as General Director of IED Rio and CEO of IED Brazil. Currently, he serves as Strategic Partnerships Director at the global foundation Plant for the Planet, advancing ecosystem restoration and empowering young environmental leaders.

Valentina has navigated through many design disciplines, from interior design and furniture design to communication design. However, the fascination and passion for all three areas are connected by one important factor: the focus on sustainability and conscious design.

This not only concerns material and production but also entire systems and processes—where the topics of feminism and equality also play a significant role. Since 2021, she has been working at the University of Applied Sciences Salzburg, where she aims to instil her passion in young aspiring furniture designers.

In her keynote speech at »Next Gen Design: Women Creating the Future of Design« on 20th September 2024 at designfourm Wien, she discussed her experiences as a young woman in the design and working world in Austria and Europe. Thought-provoking ideas, observations, and insights on teaching in the design field, along with visions for a female-led design world, were significant topics.