2025
Closing Talk: Design Matters 25 Reflections
Tey Bannerman & Rahul Lindberg Sen, Co-Hosts
This session unpacks how design can unlock scale—moving beyond isolated pilots to systemic impact. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of climate science, circular economy principles, and the critical role design plays in accelerating adoption. More importantly, they’ll leave with a clear framework for action—practical steps they can take to help their organizations transition from ambition to reality.
Gaëlle Le Gélard is a Design Lead for Sustainability and a Circular Economy expert, dedicated to helping businesses navigate their transition toward a more regenerative future. She works closely with innovation and design teams, guiding them to envision what their business could look like in a circular world and collaborating across functions to turn that vision into reality. During her time at McKinsey and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Gaëlle worked with companies of all sizes to accelerate their circular transition. She led a team focused on driving Circular Economy innovation within and between businesses—publishing thought-leadership pieces, facilitating design sprints, and building coalitions for action. Notably, she presented a report on the path to a regenerative food system at COP26 in Glasgow. Recently, her focus has been on the roles of marketing, design, and supply chain teams in unlocking the barriers to scaling circular pilots, as well as the ways AI could support SMEs in their sustainability journey.
