Latasha is an illustrator, painter, and plant lover who runs Jitterbug Art Studio. A creative firm that generates unique imagery around the topics of nature, culture, and conservation. Latasha, originally from Baltimore MD, received her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts with a concentration in Scientific and Medical Illustration. When she is not in her studio, she is cooking up a storm in the kitchen, tending to plants, hiking and camping , or traveling to somewhere new! The artwork that she create captures still moments in nature and expresses her love of the intersection of nature and culture. Latasha, now based in Denver Co, has worked with many brands in the Outdoor Industry including but not limited to The North Face, Merrell, Outward Bound, American Alpine Club, and Smartwool to name a few. She is also an award winning published author and a sponsored snowboard athlete with hopes of continuing the mission of diversifying the outdoors through her artwork and storytelling. 

Shakerra Monét is a contemporary artist based in Denver and originally from St. Louis. With a background in fashion design and merchandising, Monét’s creative journey quickly expanded beyond textiles into fine art. Known for her colorful, expressive portraits, her work explores identity, visibility, and emotion through layered techniques and bold imagery.

At the heart of her practice is a commitment to representing Black individuals and celebrating their presence. Deeply rooted in themes of body positivity and Black culture representation, Monét’s art is a vibrant celebration of community, individuality, and the power of being seen.

Brandi McMichael is a former handbag designer, founder of Fashion Denver, producer of CreativeMornings, and dedicated community builder. As a creative consultant and career adviser, she’s passionate about helping artists and entrepreneurs discover what they’re truly created to do. With experience spanning branding, storytelling, and fostering creative communities, she loves sharing practical tips to turn creativity into impact and joy. Connect with her to bring big ideas to life!

Parisa Tashakori is a graphic designer and art director with 20+ years on the global stage. She leads the Master of Strategic Communication Design (MSCD) at CU Boulder. Her bold, award-winning work mixes traditional craft with fresh ideas about peace, connection, and culture. From posters to exhibitions worldwide, Parisa’s designs inspire change and spark dialogue. A champion for young women in design, she’s also a trusted juror for top international competitions.

Alex is a UX & Brand Designer based in Denver, CO. With a B.F.A. in Graphic Design and a UX certification from Google, she thrives on blending visual storytelling with research-driven strategy. Since launching her design studio in 2021, she’s worked with clients across the cannabis, wellness, and tech industries, crafting intentional brand experiences. She’s also partnered with Adobe as a Brand Ambassador, where she shares creative insights through her social channels.

Hannah Badwan’s background includes digital design, brand marketing, interior styling, and experience curation. After a decade in New York and Miami, she found herself back her hometown of Colorado dreaming up a karaoke bar and working with clients in cultural and hospitality realms. When she’s not looking for hidden meaning, you'll find her walking her dog or collecting chairs, lamps, and small objects for herself and others interested in relics of time.

It’s never too late to start learning graphic design! I began seriously studying it at 30 through continuing ed classes (alongside years of studio art), and got hands-on experience as a production assistant. Ten years ago, I launched my freelance business for more flexibility and have since partnered remotely with a wide range of national clients—bringing their visions to life in print, digital, and campaign branding. Before design, I worked in stock photo sales (yes, that used to be a thing!). I grew up on the East Coast, met my husband in DC, and moved to Colorado to be near family. Off the clock, I love paddleboarding, Creative Mornings, making art with my nieces, movie nights with my husband, coffee with friends, and hanging with Moxie, the best cat ever.

I am passionate about creating inclusive and engaging video experiences for millions of users. I currently lead a Video AI team at Google, which includes Google Meet, Duo, and Livestreaming for Workspace. I oversee the design vision, strategy, and execution of innovative and user-centric video solutions that leverage AI. Beyond Google, I teach design as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado in Boulder and speak at global conferences on topics like career growth, designing for emerging technology, and building inclusive products. My past work spans Google Nest, early-stage startups, and adidas, with a focus on bridging hardware and software to create thoughtful, impactful user experiences—from smart home devices to health tech innovation.

Juliana Broste, “TravelingJules,” is a 12x Heartland Emmy award winning Travel Video Journalist–a producer, shooter, writer, editor and host. Whether you spot her in front of the camera or behind the lens, you'll recognize this fierce female filmmaker sporting pink lipstick and an armful of camera gear!  She showcases adventures around the world with signature style, creating content for travel brands, media outlets and her vlog.

Emily Wolf is Creative Director and Co-founder of Stone Strategy & Design, a branding and innovation studio based in Golden. With nearly 20 years in advertising, global CPG and emerging food and beverage she’s led creative for brands like Starbucks, P&G, and General Mills—as well as startups you’ve never heard of (yet). Her approach reflects a simple truth: branding works best when it’s grounded in insight, built to drive business, and designed to matter—at every touchpoint. Whether she’s leading a global rebrand or reviewing a student portfolio, her goal is the same: to champion work that’s bold, intentional, and made to move people.

Elanor Harris is a graphic designer, dabbler of many arts, crafts & experiences, kid at heart and a free spirit. A constant explorer and collector. In the last 15 years, her design work spans branding, print design, web design, light animation and event design for both inhouse agencies and individual clients. In her free time, Elanor can be found discovering a new place, trying a new restaurant, working on her pottery skills, or exploring another form of art.

Dave Laskowski II is a Denver-based user experience designer with a foundation in graphic design and branding. He holds a BFA in Communication Design and an MA in Strategic Communication Design, blending visual storytelling with strategic thinking. His work spans digital products, brand identity, print campaigns, and environmental graphics. Passionate about supporting emerging creatives, he offers mentorship and portfolio guidance. Outside of work, he runs Black Beetle Press, a letterpress studio rooted in craftsmanship and vintage detail.

Freelance Art Director and Graphic Designer with diverse experience in print, digital, packaging, and video design across multiple industries. I specialize in comprehensive marketing materials while maintaining brand consistency and creative excellence. My passion stems from working across diverse media formats—from print to digital platforms, packaging, and video content. At Burns Marketing, I designed for major clients including OtterBox consumer products and LifeProof brand. Previous experience as senior designer at Hunter Douglas creating sample books, print collateral, and art directing shoots.

Paul Trani is a Principal Worldwide Creative Cloud Evangelist at Adobe. As a 25 year veteran of the design community is passionate about empowering designers to create compelling content using their creativity and new technology.