Introducing New Board Member

CoDesign Collaborative is pleased to welcome Melissa Casburn to the Board!

Join us in welcoming Melissa Casburn to the CoDesign Collaborative Board!

Melissa has been a member of Portland’s creative class for 20 years, leading human-centered research and experience design for local digital agencies and software companies, and volunteering extensively with the regional arts community. She currently serves as the VP of Design for Coforma, a DC-based agency that works with the government and the private sector to craft creative digital solutions and build technology products that improve people’s lives.

Past roles include Senior Director of User Experience for Puppet, a software configuration automation tool company, and Board President for the Portland Lesbian Choir. Melissa co-founded SOAK, the Portland Regional Burn, and produced the event for several years. She holds a BA in Clothing & Textile Design and an MBA from University of Oregon, and is pursuing a certificate in Surface Design from Otis College of Art & Design.

Melissa shares, “Design is the application of intent to the creation of any object, product, service, speech…of anything, really. This means everyone is capable of being a designer. We don’t want our society formed by accident, or by forces that intend to marginalize or oppress. Helping people practice human-centered design principles and techniques — whether or not they’re working as designers — can help shape intent toward positive social change and uncover and prevent unintended (or intended!) harms.”

Melissa was the Guest Editor of the first issue of our new magazine, Unfold. That experience inspired her to join the board: “It’s clear that my values are deeply aligned with those of the organization, which was foundational to my decision to join. I’m particularly excited about CoDesign Collaborative because it has both national and local reach, giving us the opportunity to tap into so many different experiences and ideas to build community and momentum here in Portland, OR.”

Members of the Board of Directors are experts in CoDesign Collaborative’s impact areas and design fields. In alignment with Staff and Council, they govern the organization, set strategic priorities, and implement programs, while ensuring adequate resources and strong community are available to accomplish the organization’s mission.