Business is Better When Connected Through Design.Intersection-Inc is a design innovation catalyst fueling innovation by translating business strategy into meaningful user experiences, products and services. Intersection optimizes ROI by humanizing technology and data. Applying a rich array of perspectives through collaborative & interdisciplinary knowledge is key to solving today's complex, multi-dimensional issues. The Design Academy, Intersection's educational collaboratory, teaches human-centered design thinking to instill an empathetic culture that focuses on people and solving the right challenge.Joan is co-founder and president. As a design strategist with broad-based business background, she has a unique perspective on integrating the organic creative process into tangible and feasible business and design strategies. With a focus on leveraging the value of design, she has consulted for Bose, Magna Int'l, BMW/Designworks, GE Healthcare, CVS, GE Energy, Port of San Diego. Her ability to integrate business with design thinking has led to the development of ground breaking research in design management such as Design Metrics & Brand Language. Her work has included innovation, experience design, human-centered design thinking, design philosophy, qualitative/industry research, design / innovation assessments, discipline integrationAs an entrepreneur, she has practical experience in design resulting in 5 patents for a retail product line, including all elements of business start-up to market launch and licensing.Through her multinational clients & sense of adventure, she has travelled extensively contributing cultural insights & knowledge to her perspective on projects. Joan has a passion for sailing afar.SpecializationThe BUSINESS OF DESIGN: Innovation, assessments, business integration, brand languageDesign: design strategy, human-centered design thinking facilitation, experience designResearch: qualitative, trends, industry, design metrics

The Design Forward Alliance a non-profit advocacy group representing designers of brands, products, environments, services, experiences and systems. Our mission is to create a unified effort that promotes the value of professional design and design thinking for better outcomes in business, education, government and the San Diego community. The Design Forward Alliance identifies opportunities and makes connections to world-class design and designers

The Design Academy (TDA) is the design thinking collaboratory of Intersection-Inc. TDA focuses on human-centered design / design thinking education, leadership and coaching increasing capabilities, collaboration and communication by integrating disciplines or businesses that may be siloed. TDA also connects companies to advanced research through our Power of Collective ThoughtTM network creating a dynamic, interdisciplinary exchange of ideas, invention and innovation. We provide the opportunity to tap into the creative conscious of an exceptionally talented and diverse collective to realize vision, speed commercialization and develop sustainable internal processes / methodologies.