Aaisha Bhuiyan

Build Your Career Moat Map in 30 mins

Amazon

Hustle Fund 🦛

Columbia University

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Forbes

Adjunct Faculty at Columbia University (Ex-Amazon)

David Nebinski

Community Builder and Host of 350+ episode Portfolio Career podcast

Pinpoint your values, top skills, and key relationships to form the foundation of your Career Moat

Identify your career pillars

Plot 2–3 concrete actions for each pillar that you can start immediately to strengthen your career moat.

Map quick action steps

Build an actionable map connecting your skills, network, and visibility to strengthen your career over the next 90 days

Build your career moat

Design Thinking is a creative approach to finding clarity amidst ambiguity. In this course, you'll be guided through how to apply Design Thinking to your own career exploration. The course itself is broken down into four sessions: Ground, Diverge, Converge, and Plan which will help you articulate your values, explore the career possibilities available to you, design experiments to figure out what you want, and plan your short, medium, and long-term next steps. You'll walk away with more confidence about what you want next and a roadmap for how to get there.

Clarify what you want with the help of Design Thinking

Course syllabus

Our course starts by grounding in where you are. Through a series of exercises, you'll reflect on your values, career experiences, and visions for your future. By the end, you'll be able to articulate what matters to you in your next step. *All live sessions will be recorded.

Module 1: Ground

This session is all about going wide. You'll canvas out three potential paths for yourself, quiet your inner critic, and ask what would have to be true in order to pursue each. By the end, you'll have three distinct paths and a research plan.

Module 2: Diverge

This session is all about making decisions. You'll synthesize what you've learned from your research and address some of your fears in making changes in your life. By the end, you'll clarify the direction you want to keep exploring.

Module 3: Converge

Here's where the rubber meets the road. You'll make an action plan with short, medium, and long-term goals, and design methods of accountability. We'll talk about addressing the inevitable barriers along the way, and you'll leave with clarity and conviction for what's next.

Module 4: Plan

Almost all coursework will take place during the live sessions, but there will be optional resources to continue exploring outside of class. *There will also be the (optional) opportunity to meet 1:1 with Simone

Weekly projects

Course schedule

Curious explorers who are ready for a change in their life but aren't clear on exactly what they're looking for

Overworked professionals who move a mile-a-minute but don't have the space to take a step back and reflect

Passionate generalists who feel pulled in multiple directions but aren't sure which path they want to choose

Who is this course for

Key outcomes

The North Star of this course is for you to go from messiness to clarity. We'll explore different frameworks for clarifying your personal values and career possibilities. You will walk away with conviction for what you really want from the next step in your work and life

A clear vision for the next step in your work/life

This course is actionable. From day one you will be envisioning, prototyping, and refining your path. You will leave with an air-tight action plan for the steps to take to keep progressing and resources that you can return to throughout your career.

An action plan with the short, medium, and long-term steps to achieve your vision

Accountability is everything. In this course you will connect with other folks who are in similar places on the journey. The relationships you form will extend long beyond the last day of class.

A vibrant community of other ambitious professionals to hold you accountable

In the course, you will receive a workbook filled with evergreen exercises, reflection prompts, and resources that you can dust off whenever you find yourself at a similar crossroads.

A buffet of research, exercises, and resources that you can return to again and again

Instead of spinning your wheels, follow a step-by-step process to determine what you value and plan your next move.

Simone Stolzoff

Cohort 9

Cohort 10

Design Leadership at Scale: Career Strategy is tailored specifically for design leaders looking to define their career path. (6 hours live class, combining lectures, breakout groups, online content, and two in-depth office hours with Rachel and Kristin to discuss your specific challenges and opportunities.) The course is built on practical insights and experiences, offering a hands-on approach to career development. Rachel and Kristin have defined hiring practices for some of the largest global companies and hired thousands of designers; now, they’re bringing the same career coaching and frameworks to this course. Whether you want to advance within your current organization or explore new opportunities, this course will help you define your blueprint for success. // Course Content // 1: ARCHITECT YOUR CAREER • Define Your Leadership Trajectory:&nbsp;Explore diverse pathways in design leadership and carve out a unique trajectory that positions you as a standout leader. • Hone Your Leadership Edge:&nbsp;Understand the essentials that set you apart as a design leader, with a focus on practical application and self-assessment. • Leverage Your Unique Strengths:&nbsp;Conduct a deep dive into your capabilities and align them with industry benchmarks to create a personalized growth plan that propels your career forward. • Craft a Strategic Career Plan:&nbsp;Develop a forward-looking, actionable career strategy that aligns your skills with your professional aspirations, ensuring you’re always moving towards your ultimate goals. 2: ADVANCE YOUR IMPACT • Elevate Your Expertise:&nbsp;Pinpoint critical areas for growth and take decisive steps to elevate your expertise, ensuring you stay ahead at every stage of your career. • Define Success on Your Terms:&nbsp;Set and achieve clear, measurable goals that align with your personal vision of success, driving your progress and holding yourself accountable. • Map Your Career Strategy:&nbsp;Create a comprehensive, action-oriented career roadmap, drawing on expert strategies for long-term success. • Become an Industry Standout:&nbsp;Learn advanced strategies for distinguishing yourself in a competitive market and gain the insider knowledge needed to make your mark. • Make Informed Career Moves:&nbsp;Equip yourself with the knowledge to select the right roles and opportunities that align with your long-term vision, ensuring each move advances your career strategy. BONUS: • Evaluating Opportunities:&nbsp;Learn the art of assessing companies and roles through the lens of experienced design executives. • 2 In-depth Office Hours / Q+A Sessions:&nbsp;Dedicated sessions with Rachel and Kristin to discuss your specific challenges and opportunities, receiving tailored guidance to propel your career forward. Accelerate your career and refine your path. This immersive is an investment in defining and achieving your design leadership career goals.

Shape a design career that provides you growth, development, and success.


Ambitious Senior Managers, Directors, and VP-level design leaders&nbsp;in both startups and large technology product companies.

It's ideal for those planning on staying and growing at your current company for the next 3+ years or are thinking of changing companies.

This course is&nbsp;not&nbsp;for aspiring design managers and early-career design managers. It does not focus on the detailed steps of skill-building.

What you’ll get out of this course

Gain insights on what hiring managers look for in candidate profiles. Understand factors that make a portfolio stand out, tactics that increase your chances of being hired, recognized, and promoted, + selecting the role and organization that aligns with your career objectives.

Get the career outcomes you want


Immerse yourself in the intricate landscape of the design industry. Gain clarity on various career paths and development tactics, setting the stage for&nbsp;better&nbsp;informed career decisions. Conduct an analysis of the design sector to spot the right opportunities.&nbsp;

Gain deeper design industry understanding 


Formulate a definitive, actionable career plan, anchored in your unique strengths and goals. Establish a personal framework that propels your professional growth and development.

Develop your career blueprint


Equip yourself with strategies to navigate the uncertainties of the job market. Learn the key to distinguishing yourself in a competitive market.&nbsp;

Navigate the current environment


Forge valuable connections with fellow professionals and seasoned industry experts in a dynamic, collaborative setting. Become part of the Defining Experience community to keep the momentum and conversation going.

Grow your professional network


Take advantage of two dedicated Q+A sessions with Rachel and Kristin for tailored advice and insights.

Exclusive Office Hours


Leave with a collection of essential frameworks and actionable tools designed for making informed decisions, effective career planning, and planning your next steps with confidence.

Toolkit for Success


Frameworks, tactics, and approaches we’ve shared in career conversations for years, so you can build a great design leadership career.


Rachel Kobetz

Chief Design Officer, PayPal


Kristin Skinner


Chief Experience Officer, &GSD


[moved] - Feb 2025

DLSCS03 - Dec 2025

Get clear on who you are, what you’re great at, and how to show up online with confidence to guide your career with clarity and intent.

Grace McCarrick

100k+ on TikTok, Soft Skills Speaker & Consultant

Maven

Cameo

Pinterest

Mercury Bank

Compass Real Estate

Mallory Contois

20k+ on Linkedin, Startup Leader, Founder

Joseph Olender, Personal Branding Expert

Brand Strategist, Personal Brand Consultant and Advisor

January

Defining your personal brand - what people know and remember you for - is one of the highest impact things you can do for your career.We would know - building and crafting our own personal brands has completely altered the course of our careers and lives. It’s not about building an audience or chasing reach - it’s about getting to know yourself and learning to express your strengths, experiences, values and belief systems with clarity. When you do, career decisions get easier, opportunities become clearer, and people think of you in the right moments.Together in this 10-day group cohort, we'll define your niche using the playbooks that have worked for us, sharpen your voice through practice and 1:1 feedback, and help you begin to show up online with confidence.By the end, you’ll walk away with a strong personal positioning statement, an optimized online profile, a content strategy you’ll actually follow, and a repeatable routine for growing your network and visibility.This course is for anyone ready to build credibility, community, and long-term career stability in a rapidly shifting professional world.

Define your POV, sharpen your voice, and start confidently showing up online.

Define your unique positioning in your space

Craft a stronger, clearer digital presence

Clarify your content pillars and tone of voice

Design a sustainable content routine that works for you

Begin to expand your network and community

Accelerate your career growth through visibility

ICs and Managers You have the expertise to turn into a personal brand, but need help navigating how to do it within your current role.

Generalists You can flex into multiple functions and struggle to define a clear story that connects them into a single, impactful narrative.

Consultants and Fractionals You need a stronger brand to attract the right clients, and you're looking to craft something that stands out.

By the end of this 4-week course, you’ll go from uncertain about how to position yourself to confident in telling your story, showcasing your skills, and communicating your value with clarity. You’ll leave with a personal brand system, a job-seeker toolkit and a leadership-ready presence that helps you stand out in today’s competitive market.&nbsp; This isn’t just another resume workshop. You’ll learn how to frame your career narrative, design a personal brand system, and apply proven communication frameworks for interviews, presentations and networking that companies can’t ignore. Each week, we’ll build practical tools and skills (from personal brand narratives and LinkedIn strategies to communication playbooks) that give you the clarity and confidence to pursue promotions, navigate transitions or land your next big role. I bring 25+ years of executive experience leading design, product, marketing and brand organizations at Microsoft, NBC, and Warner Bros. Discovery - launching global platforms and brand systems and marketing systems that help teams thrive during massive transformation. Now I’m bringing those same frameworks and insights directly to you. Key Takeaways:• A clear, compelling career narrative• A repeatable personal brand system• Communication frameworks for clarity and impact• A career toolkit built for today’s market• A networking plan to position yourself for leadership Please understand that this course can in no way guarantee you a new job, promotion or position – but it will help you better understand and promote yourself through your strengths, personal narrative and brand.

Go from uncertainty to unstoppable with a presence companies can't ignore.

This course is designed for professionals at all stages - from job-seeking, transitioning or preparing for leadership.

No prerequisites required.

We meet weekly to discuss, collaborate and align on frameworks that will help you with your personal brand and professional narrative.

Tuesdays

Most projects and worksheets will be completed during our weekly sessions. However, you may want to continue your worksheets between scheduled meetings. Our final session will include a presentation and culmination of your work on personal brand and communication style.

Projects & Worksheets

Following the course, we will schedule a 60min 1:1 session for each participant to review and refine your brand narrative, objectives and positioning. This will help align any adjustments you may require.

Free 1:1 Coaching Session

Professionals in TransitionDesigners, Product, Creative &amp; Marketing professionals who need to reposition themselves in a shifting market.

Emerging LeadersMid-career professionals aiming for promotion, build executive presence, sharpen communication, and elevate visibility.

Founders &amp; IndependentsFounders and professionals working in tech, product &amp; design who want to stand out with their personal brand.

For Professionals, Emerging Leaders, Founders & Independents Looking to Build their Personal Brand

Uncover strengths, map skills, and frame your story to stand out in a fast-changing, competitive market.

Audit & Frame Your Career Story

Design a personal and repeatable brand framework with clear messaging, POV, and content cadence across LinkedIn, portfolios, and platforms.

Craft Your Personal Brand System

Master frameworks for interviews, presentations and promotions that spotlight your value and leadership potential.

Communicate with Clarity & Impact

Empower and equip yourself with ready-to-use templates, market maps, and AI-enabled tools to adapt and seize opportunities.

Develop a Toolkit for Changing Markets

Build a strategic networking plan to increase visibility, influence and position yourself for leadership roles.

Networking for Visibility, Influence & Leadership

Transform your career story into a powerful personal brand in 4 weeks. Gain the tools, strategies and confidence to stand out.

This is a small group setting so that we can focus together as a team throughout the program.

Design Your Next Chapter - Cohort 1

Microsoft

NBCUniversal

Warner Bros. Discovery

Nike

Unilever

Shawn Johnson

This will be a small class setting and group environment so that we can focus on outcomes & success.