Annette Ferrara

I'm an employee-centered workplace experience leader and 24/7 people-person who designs for belonging. I create business value through culture. Using design-thinking methods, combined with the latest insights from behavioral economics and social psychology — and a sprinkling of theatrical storytelling — I'm an expert in creating meaningful, purpose-led workplace rituals that deeply engage employees, build resilient teams, and enhance productivity, collaboration, and innovation.

Most recently, I was a Senior Workplace Experience Director at IDEO, an award-winning global design consultancy, where I produced hundreds of creative employee and client events over my 16-plus-year career ranging from 15-minute 1:1s to multi-day offsites. For over a decade, I also produced Mortified Chicago, a comedy show where everyday folks shared embarrassing childhood artifacts in front of live audiences. In the middle of the pandemic, I started agency art, a pop-up art gallery in my living room windows viewable 24/7 from the sidewalk ‘cause COVID said “no indoorsy stuff” and I like a challenge. I’m secular about where events take place, but religious that said events are holistic, magical, and unlocking for the communities I’m designing with.

I sweat the details. Speak fluently to creatives and leadership, alike. Enjoy squeezing all the surprise and delight I can out of a tight budget and short deadline. And am on a personal mission to make those working back-of-house on events feel as supported, seen, and successful as those in front.