Ian Rolston

Join Rolston in an inspiring keynote that will transform the way you view corporate innovation and organizational resilience. 

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, traditional corporate models present challenges to a more culturally and socially informed world.  Rolston’s discourse on improving workplace connection stands out, advocating for environments that support both well-being and productivity. He underscores the necessity of transparency, honesty, and trust as the bedrock for organizational distinction and value creation, offering an inspiring perspective on corporate culture and innovation. 

The lack of intentional design of entities fit for our future world often creates friction between a business’s primary focus—profitability—and the human factors connected to its mission and meaning. Rolston introduces the concept of dimensional design, which bridges the gap between these worlds, making what matters most for your business and your people more effective and more resilient to change, while addressing current and future needs. 

Through this keynote, you will: 

• Discover why DEI, innovation strategies, programs, and statements often fail due to “The Lacks”: honesty, fairness, and will.
• Learn to avoid wasting resources on outdated models that fail to achieve transformational change, which supports business growth, enriches organizational culture, and empowers people.
• Optimize your investment in human capital for more effective internal and external impact.
• Understand how to create a modern, culturally informed organization that grows market share, and inspires and solidifies your position as knowledge leaders in your space.

Building businesses, wealth, and opportunities for meaningful connections is good. However, building humanity is even better. Let Rolston show you how to design an organization that not only thrives in the market but also builds a better world. 

Come and be inspired to rethink corporate innovation for a stronger, more resilient organization. 

Key Takeaways: 

• The importance of transparency, honesty, and trust in corporate culture
• How dimensional design can bridge the gap between business profitability and human factors
• Strategies to optimize investments in human and financial capital
• Creating culturally informed organizations to lead market change and inspire innovation

Experience an inspiring and thought-provoking keynote with Ian Rolston, where he reimagines the role of design as a catalyst for meaningful change and human connection within systems, services, and spaces. In today’s world, where challenges and complexities demand more than just conventional solutions, Rolston demonstrates how design can transcend boundaries, acting as a powerful tool to dismantle barriers, foster inclusivity, and create environments that support lasting transformation. 

Rolston introduces the concept of design as a dynamic force that goes beyond aesthetics, challenging organizations to rethink how they approach their spaces, strategies, and interactions. By focusing on the human experience, he reveals how intentional design can drive organizational change, enhance well-being, and build stronger connections with teams, clients, and communities. 

Through this keynote, Rolston will empower you to see design as a process of intentional transformation that has the potential to elevate human experiences, drive innovation, and create sustainable change within your organization. 

In this keynote, you will:

• Explore how representational design can be a transformative tool for breaking down barriers and cultivating more inclusive, empathetic environments.

• Understand the impact of designing with the intention to elevate human experiences, enhance engagement, and foster stronger connections within your organization.

• Learn how to implement design principles that address real-world challenges, supporting both individual and collective transformation.

• Gain insights into creating systems, services, and spaces that inspire innovation, adaptability, and resilience in an ever-changing world. 

Designing for transformation goes beyond the surface—it’s about building environments that resonate, inspire, and evolve. Let Ian Rolston guide you through the journey of harnessing design to create meaningful change within your organization and beyond. 

Key Takeaways:

• The power of design as a tool for dismantling barriers and fostering human connection 

• Strategies for integrating design thinking into organizational processes for lasting transformation 

• How intentional design can support inclusivity, well-being, and innovation 

• The role of design in creating adaptable, resilient systems, services, and spaces that thrive in today’s world 

This keynote offers a fresh perspective on how design can become a driving force for positive change, inspiring your organization to lead with intention and empathy. 

Join Ian Rolston in a transformative keynote that challenges designers to rethink how they approach their craft by embedding equity and empathy into every aspect of design. As an advocate for representational design, Rolston inspires students, professionals, and organizations to expand their perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of the human experience. He invites audiences to consider how design can be a powerful force for creating environments, experiences, and systems that truly reflect and honor diverse voices and lived experiences. 

Rolston’s workshops and talks are renowned for their ability to engage and equip participants with the practical tools needed to design a world that is more inclusive, just, and compassionate. He emphasizes the importance of courage, compassion, and intentionality, urging designers to move beyond aesthetics and functionality to create experiences that enrich our shared sense of humanity. 

Through this keynote, Rolston offers a fresh perspective on how representational design can reshape our built environments, educational frameworks, and organizational cultures, empowering designers to create more equitable and empathetic experiences. 

In this keynote, you will:

• Explore the principles of representational design and understand how equity and empathy can be embedded into design processes. 

• Discover how courageous, compassionate, and intentional design can create experiences that enhance the human experience and foster a sense of belonging. 

• Gain practical tools and strategies for designing environments, products, and services that reflect diverse perspectives and meet the needs of all users. 

• Learn how to challenge traditional design paradigms and embrace a more inclusive, human-centered approach that drives meaningful change. 

Key Takeaways:

• The significance of equity and empathy in creating design solutions that are more inclusive and impactful 

• How to apply representational design principles to foster environments and experiences that reflect diverse perspectives 

• Strategies for cultivating courage, compassion, and intentionality in your design practice 

• Tools to design experiences that augment and honor what it means to be human, enriching organizational cultures and communities 

This keynote will leave you inspired and empowered to design the world as it should be—one that values every voice, celebrates diversity, and enhances our collective humanity. Let Ian Rolston guide you through the journey of designing with equity and empathy to create experiences that truly resonate and transform.