Advisory Council Application
Submit an application or nomination to join our Advisory Council.
About CoDesign Collaborative
Formerly known as Design Museum Everywhere, CoDesign Collaborative curates and produces design-centered exhibitions, publications, and educational initiatives for creative problem solvers of all ages and career levels. Started in Boston by two designers, we are now a remote-first nonprofit with core communities in Boston, Portland (Oregon), San Francisco, New York City, and beyond.
We believe that design is everywhere. We are a community motivated by curiosity, collaboration, and co-creation. While many members are designers, much of our community consists of educators, activists, and creative professionals who are not “designers” in the traditional sense but are connected in their desire to design for a better world.
Our programs and resources highlight innovations in design and social change within four key impact areas: Community, Education, Environment, and Workplace.
Council Leadership
The Council is a dynamic group of thought leaders — in and outside of design — who support CoDesign Collaborative’s community-centered mission and structure. Council members are subject matter experts in their respective fields, advising the organization on pertinent issues affecting their industry and community. They guide and sometimes lead programming, support the organization philanthropically, and share the organization’s work by leveraging their network and attending events and programs. The Council is a non-voting entity.
Responsibilities
The primary role of a Council member is to share and leverage their expertise in design and social change in service of the CoDesign Collaborative’s mission and programs. Council members are invited to join ongoing committees, including the Programs or Finance Committees, as well as ad-hoc task forces created for specific purposes. For example, the Membership Task Force worked to audit and refresh our membership program, while the Branding Task Force developed our new brand and content strategy in partnership with our design and marketing partners.
Council members have acted as guest editors of Unfold Magazine, contributed articles, hosted or spoken on panels for CoDesign Conversations, Summits, and Design Weeks, have served as mentors for students and early-career professionals, and have partnered to develop programming for young people and adults.
We are excited to grow the Council across industries, with a priority focus in FY26 for individuals with experience in Emerging Technologies, Human Resources, Civic Life, and Community Engagement. Council members are industry leaders, educators, and creative professionals who are passionate about design and social change across our four key areas of impact: Community, Education, Environment, and Workplace.
Term
Council members are nominated to a three-year term, renewable in perpetuity.
Philanthropic Commitment
Council members are asked to prioritize CoDesign Collaborative in their philanthropic giving by maintaining membership in the Design Impact Society with a minimum $83/month contribution for the duration of their three-year term.
We acknowledge that financial circumstances vary, and we are committed to ensuring that the Council remains representative of our community. If this level of contribution presents a barrier to your participation, we strongly encourage you to apply anyway. Our goal is to build a diverse and inclusive Council where as many voices as possible are valued, regardless of financial capacity.
Board & Council Meetings
The Board and Council meet quarterly throughout the fiscal year (July 1-June 30). Meetings center on the organization’s active and developing programs and provide opportunities for the Council to advise and provide guidance in our work and impact.
Two Board and Council meetings are virtual. Two meetings are hybrid — one live-streamed from Boston, MA and one from Portland, OR. This offers flexibility for remote attendance, and also the opportunity for Board and Council members to be in community in person.
Stewardship & Council Growth
Council members are advocates and stewards of CoDesign Collaborative’s mission, programs, and initiatives, lending their time and expertise to guide the organization and expand our community. We ask Council members to partner with staff and board to identify potential candidates to join Council Leadership during their term.
Application/Nomination Process
Please submit an application and/or nomination online. All submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis by our Nominating Committee with responses expected within 3-4 weeks. Selected candidates will be invited for a virtual or in-person interview.