WHO I AM
A strategic design leader deeply committed to advancing circular innovation and sustainable futures.
For 25 years, I’ve helped create products and systems that are sustainable, intuitive, and commercially viable.
Drawing on innovation experience from California to Japan, I work with teams to focus on the right problems and align decisions so sustainability sticks.
My superpower? Bringing together design’s transformative power, analytical rigor, and deep consumer insight to reduce carbon, cut costs, and launch products people genuinely love—and make sustainability actionable at scale.
MY JOURNEY
I learned by making
Industrial design taught me to think in systems and through a user-centred, empathetic lens—how things are made, used, felt, and sustained. This maker foundation still powers my work.
I grew by leading
From Silicon Valley to global teams at McKinsey, I learned to bring clarity to ambiguity, unite disciplines, and guide organizations through complex design challenges.
I deliver impact through design
Partnering with major brands and the C-suite, I turn circular principles into measurable return. I use design to cut carbon and cost, speed up launches, and unlock new growth. My work has led to over 70 patents and helped launch breakthrough, consumer-loved products for global leaders.
WHAT I STAND FOR
Reframe what matters
I challenge the status quo by asking, “Does this deserve to exist?”—combining creative problem-solving, analytics, and circular principles to drive meaningful impact.
“Lea was instrumental in unlocking new opportunities for sustainability at a major consumer goods company. She pushed us to generate bold ideas in an unexplored category.”
—Partner, McKinsey & Company
Move ambitions into action
I translate sustainability goals into concrete steps—guiding stakeholders through tough trade-offs and embedding circularity in day-to-day decisions and measurable results.
“Amazing push and drive—our client had been struggling to reinvent their supply chain for months, but Lea pulled it off in just three weeks with exceptional process management, aligning both internal and external teams. They love the design and are already implementing it.”
—Partner, McKinsey & Company
Energize people and progress
I cultivate momentum by uniting diverse teams around a clear direction—bringing positive energy and resilience so perspectives align and work keeps moving.
“I love the way she has been leaning forward and really orchestrating our global Design for Sustainability community—driving knowledge‐sharing and new thinking across the pond.”
—Partner, McKinsey & Company
My commitment to advancing sustainable systems thinking and user-centered design extends to the next generation of leaders.
I spent five years as an Adjunct Professor at California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco and currently mentor Master's students on high-impact circular design thesis projects at The Sustainable Design School (Besign) in Nice, France.
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP & MENTORSHIP
FLAMENCO AS A CREATIVE FORCE
Flamenco has taught me to listen deeply, move boldly, and build cultural bridges—insights I carry into every design program and cross-functional team.
When I’m not designing for circularity, you’ll find me dancing flamenco or producing shows at Bissap Baobab and around the Bay Area.
Reel by Bissap Baobab
WHAT’S NEXT
Bringing circular innovation home
After 30 years in California, I'm returning to Switzerland to help mission-led partnerships and organizations reduce impacts on new products and grow responsibly.
LET’S CONNECT
If you are working on:
Embedding circular principles across product portfolio
Designing next-gen green-tech solutions to cut carbon & cost
Creating refill-ready and zero-waste packaging systems
I’d love to help turn your ambitions into tangible impact.
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CV
I tailor my CV depending on the role and opportunity, with emphasis on the most relevant design, product development, hardware, medtech, packaging, sustainability, or innovation experience.
For a general overview, you can download my current CV below.
View my work
Contact me