Meet the 2021 Judges

Our 2019 Ideas that Matter judges know good design—it’s what helped get them to where they are today. Now, this independent panel of accomplished design industry leaders is up for the difficult task of choosing this year’s winners based on potential effectiveness, plan for implementation and, of course, creativity. Read on to meet the panel and learn more about their achievements.

Sam Aquillano
Founder and Executive Director, Design Museum Foundation

Sam Aquillano is the Founder and Executive Director of Design Museum Foundation a national, nomadic museum operating across three branches — Boston, Portland, San Francisco — and growing across the country. Read full bio

Sam Aquillano
Founder and Executive Director, Design Museum Foundation

Sam Aquillano is the Founder and Executive Director of Design Museum Foundation a national, nomadic museum operating across three branches — Boston, Portland, San Francisco — and growing across the country. Read full bio

Ashleigh Axios
Creative Director, Obama White House and Executive Board Member, AIGA

Ashleigh Axios is an international speaker, strategic creative, and an advocate for design's ability to break barriers and create positive social change. She is an executive board member for AIGA, the professional association of design. Read full bio

Ashleigh Axios
Creative Director, Obama White House and Executive Board Member, AIGA

Ashleigh Axios is an international speaker, strategic creative, and an advocate for design's ability to break barriers and create positive social change. She is an executive board member for AIGA, the professional association of design. Read full bio

George Aye
Co-Founder and Director of Innovation, Greater Good Studio

George co-founded Greater Good Studio with the belief that design can advance equity. Previously, he spent seven years at global innovation firm IDEO before being hired as the first human-centered designer at the Chicago Transit Authority. Read full bio

George Aye
Co-Founder and Director of Innovation, Greater Good Studio

George co-founded Greater Good Studio with the belief that design can advance equity. Previously, he spent seven years at global innovation firm IDEO before being hired as the first human-centered designer at the Chicago Transit Authority. Read full bio

Antionette D. Carroll
Founder, President and CEO, Creative Reaction Lab

Antionette D. Carroll is the Founder, President and CEO of the nonprofit Creative Reaction Lab which educates, trains and challenges Black and Latinx youth to become leaders designing healthy and racially equitable communities. Read full bio

Antionette D. Carroll
Founder, President and CEO, Creative Reaction Lab

Antionette D. Carroll is the Founder, President and CEO of the nonprofit Creative Reaction Lab which educates, trains and challenges Black and Latinx youth to become leaders designing healthy and racially equitable communities. Read full bio

Christine Taylor
Creative Manager in Licensing, Hallmark Cards

Christine Taylor is a multidisciplinary creative with a degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and graduate studies in design from Portfolio Center in Atlanta. After several roles in both fields, she landed at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. Read full bio

Christine Taylor
Creative Manager in Licensing, Hallmark Cards

Christine Taylor is a multidisciplinary creative with a degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and graduate studies in design from Portfolio Center in Atlanta. After several roles in both fields, she landed at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. Read full bio