Design for Good by Edison - Melbourne Design Week 2024

The Design for Good event is a creative industry panel hosted by The Edison Agency, an award-winning, proudly independent strategic brand agency who this year celebrate their 13th year in business.

Edison have a passion for good design and are committed to designing for good, using their industry expertise to imagine change for brands, organisations and communities. Collectively motivated by a 'head and heart' approach to business, Edison put their money where their mouth is and each year commit a minimum of 3% of our total revenue to projects that align to their Design for Good pillars. Using every opportunity to act responsibly, be kind and do better, Edison's team use their privilege and communication power to stimulate change and action from the inside out, working with industry and commerce to 'design the world they want'.

Together with Edison's Design for Good program theory, frameworks and practices, the industry panel of marketers and design practitioners. will share their professional experience, case studies and insights to shine a light on how they are actively working to improve societal issues and contribute positively to their communities.

• Balancing profitability with purpose and social good
• Aligning to global initiatives (Unite Nationals Sustainable Development Goals)
• Fostering positive, diverse and inclusive creative workplaces
• Examples of successes and failures

Held in the inspiring space at The Commons QV, this panel of industry movers and shakers will share their journeys and capacity to drive positive change, reimagine broken systems, and stay hopeful that every small effort contributes to a groundswell of positive momentum.

Note: all proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to Next Steps Australia, supplying Starter Packs of brand new manchester items to families affected by domestic violence when arriving at a refuge and transitioning from a refuge to private accommodation.

HOST

• Amber Bonney; Founder - The Edison Agency

PANELLISTS

• Liz Archer-Fisher, Head of Operations - The Edison Agency
• Mirella Arapian; Founder + Creative Director - MEK STUDIO®
• Leah Morris; Senior Copywriter and founding Editor - Mavens
• Clare Flintoff Phillips; Insights, Strategy and Innovation Specialist

BIOS

Amber Bonney; Founder - The Edison Agency (HOST)

Amber has established herself as a trailblazing and influential figure as one of Australia's leading brand experts. With over 25 years experience both locally and internationally, she has collaborated with working with some of the most influential brand owners in the world like Nestle, Bega, Asahi, Subaru, Volkswagen, Victorian Government, Uber, Lion and Lend Lease.

Amber specialises in high-level strategic branding, positioning and complex portfolio architecture systems with her unique ability to connect dots and create strategic pathways that lead to positive change and transformation.

She has a multi-faceted approach to her career, encompassing design innovation, gender equity advocacy, mentoring, public speaking and educator. Amber has extended her influence with the creation of the "Bite Big - Boss Women Leading Big Brands" podcast which launched in 2023. 

As a leader, innovator, and advocate, she is shaping not only the visual landscape of brands but also the narrative of the design industry.

Liz Archer-Fisher, Head of Operations - The Edison Agency

Heading up Edison's 'Design for Good' program is Liz, a trained communication designer, she has a multi-disciplined 14 year career honing her skills across design, sales, client management and operations within the radio, digital media, and agency landscapes.

Liz is recognised as the "go-to wizard" for turning operational chaos into streamlined symphonies, crafting day-to-day operations with a sprinkle of creative thinking inherited from her design roots. Whether it's untangling knots or fine-tuning operations, Liz’s unique blend of imaginative flair and practical business savvy makes her a key player at Edison and an invaluable support to clients in ensuring that projects are delivered with efficiency and accuracy.

Liz champions operational excellence, her growth mindset for systems thinking and dedication to fostering a thriving agency culture means she is someone you want on your side to activate change.

Mirella Arapian; Founder + Creative Director - MEK STUDIO®

Mirella Arapian (she/her) is an Armenian-Australian creative director and mentor based in Naarm (Melbourne). She’s the founder and creative director at MEK STUDIO®, a purpose-led design studio building brands of the future with social and environmental impact, and founder of Womentor, a global mentorship program for women in design committed to improving gender equality in the design industry.

With over 20 years’ experience in the design industry both nationally and internationally, Mirella works with the world’s leading change makers including WWF, PETA, Sea Shepherd, RMIT University, Environmental Film Festival, Revival Projects and World Animal Protection. She specialises in high-level branding, strategy and campaigns; blending strategic design with creative innovation to help purpose-led companies, brands and leaders communicate their vision for a better future.

Mirella is an activist and volunteers for various organisations across animal liberation, social justice and human rights. As a woman in design leadership and child of immigrants, she’s an advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion, and uses her business as a platform for activism and positive change.

Leah Morris; Senior Copywriter and founding Editor - Mavens

Leah Morris is a Senior Copywriter and founding Editor of Mavens, an independent publication to champion gender equality through communications. Leah grew up in the Victorian bush in the land of the Pangerang people. Moving to Naarm/Melbourne in 2014, she forged a career through valued mentorships with industry leaders who recognised her passion and hard work. Leah cut her teeth at boutique agencies, later moving to Big Red, HBK and most recently R/GA. Past clients include Coles, flybuys, Suzuki, STIHL, Dulux, Lifestyles and Toyota. Leah is a passionate mentor, most recently with D&AD Shift and The Aunties. Peers have described her as a student of the industry, writer’s writer and natural collaborator who brings strategy, craft and chutzpah to every project she works on, no matter the scale.

Clare Flintoff Phillips; Insights, Strategy and Innovation Specialist

Clare is a brand and innovation researcher and strategist with a passion for how human insight, good strategy and design can deliver better outcomes for people and the planet.

With 20+ years across agency, corporate, government and Not For Profit in the UK, EU, Australia and NZ, she currently consults for NFP and Social Impact clients and is founder of a start-up in sustainable pet food, Grubbo. 

Clare is a board member of Odyssey House, a NFP supporting vulnerable Victorians to overcome alcohol and other drug challenges.

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The Commons QV rests on the traditional land of the Wurundjeri people, part of the Kulin Nation.