Resume
BFA Graphic Design, Miami University, Cum Laude (2010)
Fellowship, Firebelly University (2012)
Resume
BFA Graphic Design, Miami University, Cum Laude (2010)
Fellowship, Firebelly University (2012)
2026
Education & Certifications
Recognized as a Certified Framer Expert for demonstrating advanced proficiency in designing and building high-performance, responsive websites with modern interactions, scalable systems, and efficient no-code/low-code workflows.
2026
Speaking & Teaching
Invited guest speaker for a brown bag session with the Stranger Creative team, leading a discussion on the realities of running a social impact design agency, including financial forecasting formulas for burn rate and revenue projections, industry benchmarks, and strategies for preventing burnout and sustaining long-term agency health.
2026
Education & Certifications
Completed Web Accessibility certification coursework developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) through edX, strengthening expertise in digital accessibility standards, inclusive design principles, and aligning websites and applications with international accessibility guidelines to improve usability for people with disabilities.
2025
Speaking & Teaching
Invited guest lecturer for portfolio reviews with design students at the University of Minnesota, providing professional feedback on student work, career readiness, and design practice from a social-impact perspective.
2025
Education & Certifications
Earned certification as an Asana Workflow Specialist and Ambassador as part of continued professional education in project management, strengthening expertise in workflow design, team coordination, and scalable delivery processes.
2025
Career Highlights
Served as Creative Director at Made by We, leading the design system for the nationwide rollout of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website, delivering a scalable, accessible, and mission-critical digital framework supporting a major public health initiative.
2023
Speaking & Teaching
Selected to serve as a juror for the Sappi Ideas That Matter grant program, reviewing and evaluating design proposals supporting socially impactful nonprofit initiatives.
2016-2022
Leadership & Service
Contributed to grant review and strategic decision-making to expand equity, access, and inclusion within the design community in the DC area. During my time on the committee, I met with donors, created the branding for the 10 year anniversary and led events that helped fund thousands of dollars worth of grants towards making the design industry more diverse and inclusive.
2020–2021
Leadership & Service
Helped guide one of the largest AIGA chapters through leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement during a period of organizational and industry change.
2019
Speaking & Teaching
Invited speaker at SCADstyle 2019, presented by Savannah College of Art and Design, participating in a panel on design’s role in advancing social change through intersectional practice; spoke alongside leaders from Latent Design and Hyperakt, moderated by Civic Creatives, representing Made by We.
2019
Awards & Recognition
For the first time ever, the Mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Browser, issued a Proclamation to officially recognize September 20-27 as DC Design Week. This was a huge moment of success for our volunteer team, who plan and organize these events for the benefit of the city we love.
2019
Speaking & Teaching
In this live interview on Full Service Radio, the DC Design Week leadership team reflect on the ever-growing body of professionals, makers, and voices working across disciplines to make our city more curious and creative.
2019
Leadership & Service
Organized and led a group of 25 volunteers to produce a week packed with creative events that uplift and celebrate the DMV creative community. As Director, I oversaw the branding, event programming, community outreach and production of over 40 events over 7 days, featuring historic Globe Print Shop, Apple, Austin Graff, Spotify, Antonette Carroll and creative lunches at 11 local design studios.
2019
Awards & Recognition
Nominees for the DCFemTech award are community nominated, and are only eligible to receive the award every other year. My second time receiving the award was in recognition for spotlighting the womxn working in tech in the DC area through event planning during DC Design Week.
2019
Speaking & Teaching
Invited speaker at the American Association of Suicidology conference; participated in a joint panel with representatives from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Vibrant Emotional Health, sharing insights on collaboration, human-centered design, and how mental health organizations can adopt design best practices internally to improve outreach and community engagement.
2019
Awards & Recognition
Led the grant application process and was selected by the review committee to design and produce a suite of printed workshop materials in collaboration with Farm Commons, supporting farmers in learning farm law best practices through accessible, well-designed educational resources.
2018
Leadership & Service
As the Director of DC Design Week, I led a volunteer team of 27 creatives in the DMV to produce 37 events across 8 days in all four quadrants of DC, and neighboring cities of Alexandria (VA), Greenbelt (MD), Sterling (VA) and in between. Featuring keynote speaker, Adam J. Kurtz, creative lunches with 15 local creative studios and workshops at Pyramid Atlantic, National Geographic, NASA, USPS, US Digital Service, PBS… and much more!
2018
Speaking & Teaching
Selected panelist for the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program, contributing to a Design Artist panel recognizing and elevating the work of District-based artists and humanities practitioners and their impact on Washington, DC’s cultural landscape.
2017
Leadership & Service
As the Director of Programming for DC Design Week, I managed a team of 4 volunteers to plan, organize and lead 29 events that took place across DC, MD and VA over the cousrse of one action-packed week. Featured speakers included Mike Montiero, Emory Douglas (the creative force behind the Black Panther Party), Politico, NPR, Creative Mornings, and the National Poster Retrospecticus. During this week, we took over the shelves of Cherry Blossom Creative, allowing local artists to display and sell their artwork to the community, many for the first time.
2017
Awards & Recognition
I received this peer-nominated award for my work founding Made by We, and for the leadership and impact I brought as a woman working in technology and design in the DC area.
2014-2017
Career Highlights
Oversaw layout, design, and quarterly production of Cultures, a printed publication distributed to thousands of microbiologists through the American Society for Microbiology; special editions included an entirely illustrated storybook-style children’s issue and a microbe-inspired coloring book. Interview features included primatologist Jane Goodall, President Jimmy Carter, and bioengineer Manu Prakash.
2013
Speaking & Teaching
Invited speaker at GlobeMed’s GROW Conference at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, where I led a workshop on nonprofit-focused external communication, sharing practical strategies for effective outreach and mission-driven messaging.
2012-Current
Career Highlights
Founded Made by We to create a collaborative agency model where designers, strategists, developers, copywriters, and illustrators partner closely with nonprofit organizations; oversaw business planning, hiring, day-to-day operations, and consistent year-over-year growth for more than a decade. Clients have include the 988 Lifeline, Stanford University, Harvard Medical School and the American Society for Microbiology.
2012
Career Highlights
Served as Art Director overseeing web and digital projects from concept through production; pitched design concepts to creative leadership and collaborated closely with design and development teams while working directly with clients including IDB World Bank and Orchestro.
2011
Education & Certifications
Chosen for a competitive fellowship focused on socially responsible design, collaborating with peers and mentors to develop mission-driven creative solutions.
2011
Career Highlights
Joined the creative team at andCulture, contributing to brand development, UX, wireframing, and CMS-driven web builds for clients including Get Satisfaction, Mount Nittany Health and the Art of Tea.
2010
Career Highlights
Began my design career at Interbrand, focusing on packaging design for major consumer brands including Wrigley Gum and Malibu Rum.
2010
Education & Certifications
Graduated Cum Laude from Miami University with a strong foundation in visual communication, systems thinking, and cultural context. Was selected as First in Class by the Design School faculty and awarded a piece of the brick from the original university building, constructed in 1809 at graduation. Subsequently nominated for "18 of the last 9" award, where 18 students from the last 9 years of graduating classes are recognized for their leadership, entprenuership and community service.
2007-2009
Career Highlights
Oversaw layout and visual consistency for one of the only continuously student-run newspapers in the United States, The Miami Student, launched in 1826. My role ensured ensuring the layout adhered to existing design guidelines and preparing the publication for print production on a weekly basis.
Portfolio & Work
Made by We is the independent design studio I founded in 2012, where I collaborate with organizations large and small to create thoughtful brands and digital experiences.
Visit Made by We →
Liz Rose Chmela
2026