CoDesign LIVE: Critical Connections and the Importance of Community and Belonging with Dr. Tracy Brower, PhD, and Jess Klay

Join us for a virtual lightning talk on Critical Connections and the Importance of Community and Belonging

Join CoDesign Collaborative and Jess Klay, Workplace Experience Leader with Red Thread, as she chats with Dr. Tracy Brower, PhD sociologist, author of Critical Connections, and VP of Workplace Insights with Steelcase. We are lonely, under pressure, and overwhelmed. In the face of this, Jess will speak with Dr. Brower about how to rebuild relationships, create community, and build belonging. They’ll discuss fascinating research and fresh perspectives about the power of community in work and life.

Tune in for CoDesign LIVE: Critical Connections and the Importance of Community and Belonging, a virtual lighting talk on June 16, at 12pm ET / 9am PT.

About Dr. Tracy Brower:
Dr. Tracy Brower is a PhD sociologist studying community, happiness, and the future of work and life. She is a Global 50 Thinker and a Top 101 Experience Influencer as well as the award-winning author of three books: Critical Connections, The Secrets to Happiness at Work, and Bring Work to Life. She is the vice president of workplace insights with Steelcase and a senior contributor to Forbes and Fast Company. Tracy’s work has been translated into 25 languages, and her TEDx talk has been viewed 8.6 million times. You can find her at tracybrower.com, LinkedIn, or any of the other usual social channels.

About Jess Klay:
Jess Klay is an award-winning workplace strategist, experiential designer, and AI-focused workplace innovator, and founder of Jess Klay Design, based in Greater Boston. She specializes in aligning space, brand, and culture through human-centered, sensory-driven design and emerging technology.

She currently serves as a Workplace Consultant at Red Thread, where she helps organizations translate workplace strategy into actionable, design-forward solutions. Jess contributes to Work Design Magazine and Built In Boston, is a keynote speaker, and serves on the Advisory Council for the CoDesign Collaborative. She is also a former mentor with AIGA and a juror for art exhibitions through Juniper Rag. She was a finalist for The Ad Club Women We Admire Awards 2025.