Design Leadership 2025

March 26 — Hyatt Centric, Melbourne

Design Leadership

March 26 • In person, Hyatt Centric, Melbourne

Our design leadership roundtable returns for its third year, bringing together established design leaders for meaningful discussions, shared insights, and deeper connections. This is a must attend event for seasoned design leaders.

A photograph of attendees at DO Design Leadership

More insights, same price

This year, we’re expanding the program with a morning of presentations, doubling the opportunities for learning and connection—while keeping the cost unchanged.

Knowledge exchange

With a focus on in-depth presentations, facilitated discussions, and networking, this roundtable offers a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Future of design leadership

Join fellow design visionaries to explore new perspectives, share insights, and collectively advance the future of design leadership in Australia.

Plus

All-day catering

Auslan interpreters

Closed captions

Networking

Sustainable conference

Freebies

Afterparty

Roundtables

Event partners

Redefining design leadership for the future

Amy Sheppard speaking into a microphone during a discussion at a leadership event. She is wearing a patterned black and white dress and gesturing with one hand. The background includes soft lighting and a floral arrangement, adding a professional and warm atmosphere to the setting.

Can design leaders truly balance creativity, business impact, and team culture in a constantly evolving world? Join us to uncover strategies that empower leaders to navigate complexity and shape the future of design.

This day-long event brings together Australia’s top design leaders to explore new approaches, share insights, and prepare for the next era of the discipline.

Key topics include:

Leading teams through resource and culture challenges.
Ensuring consistency amidst constant change.
Exploring emerging trends and technologies shaping design’s future.

Explore the conference themes

Presenters and Table hosts

Abi Iyer

Head of Product Design, Easygo

Angela Bliss

Behavioural Scientist & Designer,

Brad Alphonso

Senior Service Design Manager, Bupa

Rachel Zhang

Lead Experience Specialist,

Steph Ransom

Service Design Chapter Lead, ANZ

Andrew Broughton

Practice Lead, Enterprise Design, WorkSafe Victoria

Selin Lanzafame

Group Head of Strategy, Asahi Beverages

David Bradford

UX Chapter Lead , Telstra

Michelle Spencer

Manager Workforce Capability, MLC Life Insurance

Ljuba Youngblom

Director of Product Design, Airwallex

Event format

There’s a lot to love about this format: it maximises impact through a mix of dynamic presentations and deep, focused conversation to provoke new ideas and leave lasting impressions.

Jon speaking at a Design Outlook event, dressed in a light gray suit and a white shirt. He holds a small clicker in his hand and gestures confidently while addressing the audience. The background features abstract purple and blue shapes, creating a vibrant and modern atmosphere.

Inspiring presentations

Dive into transformative presentations that challenge the status quo and ignite powerful discussions. Our presentation sessions are designed to not just explore ideas but to catalyse actionable solutions.

A lively moment in a café-like setting with four women chatting around a wooden table near large windows. One stands smiling in a green t-shirt, while another seated in a striped top and blazer laughs warmly. The setting feels modern and friendly, with an urban view outside.

Engaged networking

Build meaningful connections over sustainable meals, drinks, and immersive experiences. Our networking sessions foster collaboration and leave you inspired.

A group of people sitting at a table during a conference, with a blonde woman in a denim jacket smiling in the centre

Facilitated roundtables

Engage in deep, focused discussions with peers, exploring diverse perspectives and generating actionable ideas. These sessions provide a unique opportunity to co-create solutions and challenge the status quo.

Guests networking during drinks after an event, engaging in lively conversations in a stylish indoor venue. The space features warm wooden accents, high-top tables with stools, and a softly lit backdrop, creating a relaxed and collaborative atmosphere to conclude the event.

Social wrap-up

Unwind with drinks, canapes, and conversations that extend the day’s discussions in a more relaxed setting, offering space for continued inspiration and lasting connections.

Tickets

We pride ourselves on the value for money we offer for our tickets at each of our events, and Accessibility and Inclusion is no exception.

A helping hand

$1+

Tickets at a price that you name, no questions asked. Limited availability.

Sold Out

Earlybird

$395

On sale until Jan 6 or sold out.

Sold Out

General Admission

$495

On sale until sold out - make sure you check our partners page for discounts and offers.

Buy tickets

All tickets include access to the event, all day catering, freebies from us an our sponsors, and are fully refundable up to 30 days before the event.

For all ticketing information, view our ticketing terms and conditions.

Location

A close-up of a person’s hands holding a smartphone horizontally, capturing a group photo of people posing together in an outdoor covered area. The person’s hands feature bright red nail polish and tattoos of a sun and crescent moon on their fingers. The smartphone screen shows a clear image of the group, framed by blurred background elements in the real scene.

DO Design Leadership Melbourne will be hosted on the 5th floor of Hyatt Centric, 25 Downie St, Melbourne VIC 3000. It's a 7 minute walk from Southern Cross Station, and a 15 minute walk from Flinders St Station.

When you arrive on the ground floor, the receptionists can direct you to the event space. The floor is accessible by both escalator and elevator.

For interstate or international guests, the hotel offers wheelchair-accessible rooms, and their expert staff can assist with any specific needs.