018: Michele Cooper & Kelly Holohan of AIGA Philadelphia

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Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold

Chapter 2

24 episodes

1 week ago

Cheers & Tiers welcomes you into a circle of design leaders whose bonds were forged during iconic AIGA design leadership retreats and conferences. These gatherings were more than just strategic sessions with the nation’s chapter leaders—they were moments of shared growth, laughter, and camaraderie that shaped careers and lives, blending organizational development with celebratory toasts and even the occasional human pyramid. Fellow design leaders Erik and Rachel as they reconnect with friends about shared experiences, memorable lessons, and transformative moments gleaned that defined this extraordinary group. Join us as we honor the relationships and memories that continue to shape design and leadership today.

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018: Michele Cooper & Kelly Holohan of AIGA Philadelphia

Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold

50 minutes

3 months ago

018: Michele Cooper & Kelly Holohan of AIGA Philadelphia

In this episode of Cheers & Tiers, hosts Rachel Elnar and Eric Cargill welcome design leaders Michele Cooper and Kelly Holohan to discuss their journeys in design leadership, particularly within AIGA Philadelphia. They share their experiences in leadership roles, the challenges they faced, and the triumphs they achieved in building a strong community. The conversation highlights memorable moments from leadership retreats, the importance of networking, and the lessons learned from their experiences. The episode emphasizes the significance of activism in design and the lasting relationships formed through shared experiences in the design community.

Key Takeaways

The importance of community and relationships in design leadership.
Challenges faced in building membership and financial stability in AIGA.
Memorable moments from leadership retreats and the fun of networking.
The role of activism in design and its impact on the community.
Lessons learned from working with volunteers and motivating them.
The significance of education in shaping future designers and leaders.
The evolution of AIGA and its influence on local chapters.
The importance of creating engaging programming for members.
Reflections on the past and the future of design leadership.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Design Leadership

02:21 Journey into Leadership Roles

08:42 Challenges and Triumphs in AIGA

15:32 Building Community and Relationships

21:04 Memorable Leadership Retreats

34:01 Lessons Learned from Leadership

43:01 Reflections on the Past and Future

Featuring

Guest Michele Cooper, connect on LinkedIn
Guest Kelly Holohan, connect on LinkedIn
Host Erik Cargill, connect on LinkedIn
Host Rachel Elnar, connect on LinkedIn

Support the Show

Theme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic Oceans
Produced by Chapter 2 Media
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