New Leadership Program, Design Catalyst, Tackles the Student Housing Crisis in LA

This spring, Cuningham introduced Design Catalyst, a pilot leadership development program created to invest in employees who have shown exceptional leadership and dedication to our core values and purpose. A diverse cohort of eight individuals was invited by senior leaders to participate. These leaders will leverage their varied skills, backgrounds, and perspectives to address housing insecurity for college students — a persistent and devastating issue for communities across the country.  They will develop strategies, contribute research, and form teams to generate potential solutions with a focus on the student housing landscape in Los Angeles.

Organized in two phases, Catalyst begins with workshops led by industry experts in ecological justice, community organizing, design research, and digital transformation. Marcy Schulte, Executive Director of Innovation at Cuningham, will also introduce and frame the crisis with a focus on its context in Los Angeles where the problem has never been more critical. Later this month, the Catalyst team will also spend a week in Los Angeles conducting site visits, meeting with nonprofit leaders, and examining the housing ecosystem.