RISD Mindshare 

Nicholas Scappaticci '00 ID

Co-founder, Tellart

Designing Experiences

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As Chief Executive Officer, Nick leads Tellart in high-level operational and strategic decisions, while still being involved in details of project development, execution, and troubleshooting. He is responsible for leading a staff of strategists, designers and technologists, and for creating a cohesive cultural environment for Tellart that enables project and career success. Tellart’s work has won many top awards including Cannes Lions, SXSW Experimental, IxDA, Webby, D&AD Yellow Pencil, AIGA Case, Core77 and recently the 2016 Cooper Hewitt National Design Award.

Yelitsa Jean-Charles '16 IL

CEO & Founder, Healthy Roots Dolls

Little Package, Big Impact: Creating Change Through Play

Yelitsa never had a doll that looked like her growing up. The one time her parents gave her a black doll, she burst into tears because it wasn’t the “pretty one”. Since then, Yelitsa has made it her goal to make sure that no other children feel the way she did about her own appearance growing up. Since starting Healthy Roots Dolls, Yelitsa has won the Startup Stampede, New Voices Fund Pitch competition, participated in the VFA Accelerator program and was awarded the first Main Street Ventures Wendy S. Lea Female founders Grant. 

Andre Herrero '12 AR

Principal, Charlap Hyman & Herrero

Versatility in the Design World

Andre Herrero, AIA received his architectural training at the Rhode Island School of Design. He worked for David Chipperfield Architects, SANAA and SO–IL before starting his own firm with Adam Charlap Hyman. In his role as a principle of Charlap Hyman & Herrero, Andre opened the firm’s Los Angeles office to expand its capabilities bi-coastally. His experience in the field has enabled CHH to take on large scale projects with a flexible and creative approach. Andre ranks among Forbes Magazine's "30 Under 30" in their arts and style category.

Adam Charlap Hyman '11 FD

Principal, Charlap Hyman & Herrero

Versatility in the Design World

As a principal of Charlap Hyman & Herrero, Adam Charlap Hyman has steered the firm toward an ever-widening variety of design pursuits, from residential projects to opera sets to art galleries. With a degree in Furniture Design and Art History from RISD and a professional background in major home furnishings companies, Adam has helped implement a holistic, yet succinct vision for the firm. Adam ranks among Forbes Magazine's "30 Under 30" in their arts and style category.

Sarah Durham '92 IL

CEO, Big Duck

Working for Good: Communications for Social Change

Sarah founded Big Duck in 1994 to help nonprofits increase their visibility, raise money, and achieve their missions. Sarah is a total nonprofit communications nerd. She was named a "top fundraiser under 40" by Fundraising Success magazine in 2006, and one of the most influential women in technology by Fast Company magazine in 2010. Sarah is the author of Brandraising: How Nonprofits Raise Visibility and Money Through Smart Communications, her expertise has been borrowed by NPR, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Guidestar, and beyond. 

Michaela Olsen '09 FAV

Partner and Creative Director, Mighty Oak

Building a Career By Hand

Michaela Olsen is a Creative Director and partner at Mighty Oak, a Brooklyn-based animation studio whose mission is to bring the human touch back into the picture. Michaela's wonky, award-winning short films have tickled audiences and frightened children at renowned festivals throughout the universe. Michaela also leads curated teams of talented makers to create unique, beautiful, and pleasantly weird videos for clients like Netflix, Nick Jr., HBO and Airbnb.

Anna Schuleit Haber '98 PT

Artist, Anna Schuleit Haber Studio

Mixty Motions

Anna Schuleit Haber's work lies at the intersection of painting, drawing, installation art, architecture, and community. Her works have ranged from museum installations made with paint, to large-scale projects in forests, on uninhabited islands, and in psychiatric institutions, using extensive sound systems, live sod, thousands of flowers, mirrors, antique telephones, bodies of water, and neuroscience technologies. She was named a MacArthur Fellow for work that has “conceptual clarity, compassion, and beauty.”