Role: Director of Strategy & Sustainability
The challenge:
Mangaluru had no dedicated design and sustainability event. The opportunity was to create one that was genuinely rooted in local context, not imported from elsewhere.
What I did:
Conceived the thematic framework "Designing Futures, Honouring Heritage" and structured four interconnected tracks: Designing with Heritage, Climate Responsive Futures, Materials & Circularity, and Liveable & Inclusive Cities. Curated a transdisciplinary speaker programme spanning architects, chefs, filmmakers, policymakers, environmental practitioners, and community leaders. Designed a parallel engagement ecosystem including hands-on workshops, an Eco Flea Market, a Repair Fair, and NGO outreach. Embedded sustainable event practices throughout and hosted sessions in Kannada to extend conversations beyond English-speaking spaces.
The outcome:
Mangaluru's first design and sustainability summit was a community-built event that created the foundations for an ongoing local ecosystem of interdisciplinary practitioners.
Organised by Ohana Community Foundation in association with St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru. March 2026.
