What Digital Design Directors Know

Digital design directors each share the most important lessons they've learned during their careers.

What DO Digital Design Directors Know? That is a BIG question. Simply put, Digital Design Directors know A LOT. They have to. They are strategic problem solvers, experienced collaborators and skilled communicators who navigate constantly evolving platforms, technologies and user expectations. Great Digital Design Directors inspire teams to create thoughtful digital experiences while instilling clients with confidence in the design process. They care about both the user journey and the final execution. Digital Design Directors are also always excited to share stories and insights into what they do and what they know. Join us for this discussion with experienced professionals who will each provide an insider’s perspective on the joys and challenges of leading digital creative work and what you need to know to grow into this role in your own career.

Presentations

Taking Off Your Mask: Building a human-first design practice
Presented by Lisa Hong, Director of Digital Design and Enablement at RBC Insurance

There is a hard challenge in keeping your ‘soul’ as you grow in design. We’ll chat about the duality a practice leader must take in creating a culture of warmth and excellence while also translating that heart into business impact. Topics we’ll touch on will include management theory, trauma-informed leadership, not taking yourself too seriously, and learning the language of business and technology.

About Lisa Hong
Lisa is a seasoned design leader who excels in design strategy and operations and is currently working as a Director, Digital Design and Enablement at RBC Insurance. She’s practiced in all sorts of spaces including agencies, consultancies, start-ups and enterprise. And is working towards a Master of Information in human-centred data science at University of Toronto.

What Digital Design Directors Actually Do
Presented by Scott Gillam, Founder & Principal of Push Design

Digital Design Director can mean many things depending on the organization, but at its core the role is about creating clarity across design, technology, content, operations, and leadership. In this session, Scott will share a practical view of the role through the lens of complex public-facing digital environments, including what the job actually involves, what senior leaders often need to balance and what helps someone grow into the position over time. The session will focus on judgment, cross-functional leadership, and the shift from making design outputs to building conditions for teams, systems, and decisions to work well at scale.

About Scott Gillam
Scott is a digital strategy and experience leader with more than 25 years of experience across digital platforms, design, content systems and organizational modernization. He most recently served as Director, Design & Digital Experience at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, where he led complex public-facing digital environments spanning web, interactive installations and enterprise content systems. His work sits at the intersection of design, governance, accessibility and emerging technology, with a focus on building durable systems that align creative ambition with operational reality. He also leads Push Design, an independent consultancy supporting digital strategy and experience design initiatives.