The most important currency in our world is no longer capital — it is connection. It is the connected billion of diverse global practitioners solving real problems, sharing real stories; together with purpose and without hesitation.

In the last 15 years, I have worked remotely and abroad on three continents, empowering communities, launching ideas, and contributing to art, design, education, film, health, hospitality, music, retail, and technology industries. In this capacity, I have used my position and skills to advance equity alongside my peers in the design field, entrepreneurial space, and academia.

Below is a recent history of experience.

Now based in Seattle, my professional work demands understanding and agility across brand strategy, program management, integrated marketing, and team leadership.

Direct contributions to go-to-market strategies have led to $14.5M in first-year revenues, $16.3M in grant funding, over $28M in earned media and value-aligned partnerships, and $20.8M in startup investment across education, hospitality, healthcare and financial sectors.

Dr. Mei Ling Doery (left) and Leisha Muraki (right) at Le Space Studio in Melbourne, Australia

by ying ang

Currently: Director, Brand & Operations

MDMD partners with the ambitious to shape the future of business — equipping entrepreneurs with the strategies they need to take their ideas to market and succeed.

Great strategy is philosophy in action. It harnesses industry insights, data-driven analysis, and innovative problem-solving to help businesses chart a path forward in an uncertain market. Businesses thrive when they make decisions based on clear goals and core values. At MDMD, we help ventures stay true to what truly motivates them, forging connections with networks that share their vision and prioritise their long-term objectives.

Cherry blossom trees in the quad at the University of Washington, Seattle Campus.

by A. Whitlatch

quarterly: Lecturer

Teaching design thinking as an iterative process, visual communication as an inclusive language, and human-centered design as a collective mindset.

present:

  •  University of Washington, B.S. Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE)  /  Seattle, USA 

past: Guest Lecturer 

  • University of Washington, B.S. HCDE  /  Seattle, USA  / March – June 2023

  • University of Washington, BFA.VisCommDes  /  Seattle, USA  / March – June 2023

  • University of Washington, BFA.VisCommDes  /  Seattle, USA  / March – June 2022

  • SIM Global Education, B.Comm  /  Singapore  /  February 2015

  • Holmesglen Institute, B.CommDes  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  February – June 2014

  • RMIT University, B.CommDes  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  February – June 2014

past: Course Designer

  • Seattle Public Schools, ELA Public Speaking  /  Seattle, USA  /  August 2018 – April 2020

  • RMIT University, B.CommDes  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  February – June 2014

  • WeTeachMe, Information Design  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  March 2012

past: Guest Presenter

  • University of Washington, BFA.VisCommDes  /  Seattle, USA  /  April 2021

  • RMIT University, M.Des  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  February 2015 

  • Australian Academy of Design, B.DesArts  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  August 2014

  • Deakin University, B.Des  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  August 2014

  • Holmesglen Institute, B.CommDes  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  August 2014

  • Martin College, Diploma of Graphic Design  /  Brisbane, AUS  /  August 2014

  • Monash University, B.CommDes  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  August 2014

  • RMIT University, B.CommDes  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  August 2014

  • Swinburne University, B.Des  /  Melbourne, AUS  /  August 2014

Formerly: director, Strategic partnerships & Event operations

Addressing the issues that impact designers and the design industry—a mission that launched an annual conference called Sex, Drugs & Helvetica.

Inspiration is wonderful, but empowerment is better. Too often the commercial realities of the design profession were overlooked, catering to the myth of eye candy. At the heart of Sex, Drugs & Helvetica was a goal to empower the design community through stories of process.

formally: designer

Featured Clients

AIGA
Seattle, WA, USA

Alaska Airlines
Seattle, WA, USA

ARCADE | Dialogue on Design
Seattle, WA, USA

ARUP
Melbourne, VIC, AUS

The Australian Children’s Choir
Melbourne, VIC, AUS

Bellevue Arts Museum
Bellevue, WA, USA

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA, USA

Canterbury Museum
Christchurch, NZ

Casey Family Programs
Seattle, WA, USA

ExtraHop
Seattle, WA, USA

The Galeries Sydney
Sydney, NSW, AUS

Just Another Agency
Melbourne, VIC, AUS

Mag Nation
AUS & NZ

Matisse Properties
Rome, ITA

National Gallery of Victoria
Melbourne, VIC, AUS

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Melbourne, VIC, AUS

T-Mobile
Seattle, WA, USA

T-World
Melbourne, VIC, AUS

WA State Department of Health
Seattle, WA, USA

United Nations AIDS Foundation
Seattle, WA, USA


Exhibitions

1000 £ Bend Gallery  
Melbourne, AUS / September 2012 
Just Another Group Show
Typography

National Gallery of Victoria   
Melbourne, AUS. / November 2011
Board: Skateboard Retrospective
Designer in Residence

No Vacancy Gallery  
Melbourne, AUS / October 2011 
Three Sixty Project
Typography

1000 £ Bend Gallery  
Melbourne, AUS / September 2011 
Behind the Desk
Typography

Allen Library
Seattle, USA / September 2011
Education in America
Information Design

1000 £ Bend Gallery  
Melbourne, AUS / December 2010
Hello Poster Show
Illustration

1000 £ Bend Gallery  
Melbourne, AUS / October 2011 
LMTD Space Exhibition
Typography

Gaffa Gallery  
Sydney, AUS  /  October 2011 
AGDA Poster Biennale
Information Design

1000 £ Bend Gallery  
Melbourne, AUS / September 2011 
Just Another Group Show
Information Design

Parnassus Cafe & Gallery,
Seattle, USA / November 2009
Hello Poster Show
Illustration

Jacob Lawrence Gallery
Seattle, USA / June 2009
UW BFA Design Showcase
Visual Communication Design


Featured Publications

Esperanto Magazine
AUS  /  September 2015
The Design Edition 
Design Brief: Get a Job (Interview)

Desktop Magazine
AUS  /  March 2015
Best Conferences in Australia
Two-Way Street Around Creative Conferences (Interview)

Time Out Magazine
AUS  /  February 2012  
Melbourne’s Best Art & Design Markets
Bend & Snap Market

AGDA Poster Biennial
AUS  /  October 2011
Top 30 Poster Finalist
Music Makes Me

Three Sixty Project
AUS  /  2011 
Featured Skateboard Designer
Around the World in Eighty Days

Just Another Agency 2nd Edition
AUS  /  2012 
Featured Designer
Leisha Muraki

Print Magazine Design Annual 
USA  /  December 2011
Regional Design Recognition
AIGA Into the Woods Design

Just Another Agency 1st Edition
AUS  /  2011 
Featured Designer
Leisha Muraki

Australian Artisan
AUS  /  2011 
A-List Designer
Leisha Muraki


Speaking Engagements

This is Design School 
Seattle, USA  /  December 2021
Podcast Interview
On the Currency of Connection

University of Washington 
Seattle, USA  /  April 2019
Pecha Kucha Presentation
Ten Years

Unbilled Conference 
Brisbane, AUS  /  October 2015
Presentation 
Developing Effective Communication  Techniques Within a Team

Ladies of Leisure 
Melbourne, AUS  /  October 2015
Presentation & Workshop
Out of Your Head and Into the World

Red Bubble 
Melbourne, AUS  /  April 2015 
Panel Discussion 
Creative Keys to Success 

RMIT
Melbourne, AUS  /  March 2015 
Presentation
Business of Design

Australian Academy of Design
Melbourne, AUS  /  March 2015 
Presentation
Business of Design

Design Institute of Australia
Melbourne, AUS  /  November 2013
Panel Discussion
Design 101  

AGDA First Five Out
Melbourne, AUS  /  April 2013
Presentation
Skeletons in Your Closet