#121 - Sheryl Cababa, Author of Closing the Loop & CSO at Optimistic Design Artwork

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The Square Pizza podcast focuses on the intersection of education, innovation, and diversity. We host and interview leaders doing incredible work around the country to ensure all students have access to an equitable education. The Square Pizza podcast is hosted by SchermCo, a social-impact implementation firm that offers strategic implementation and project management services to schools and education-focused organizations across the country.

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#121 - Sheryl Cababa, Author of Closing the Loop & CSO at Optimistic Design

January 17, 2025 • SchermCo • Episode 121

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Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Sheryl Cababa, Author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking For Designers and Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic. Sheryl is the author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking For Designers. She drives a human-centered design practice that is focused on systems thinking and evidence-based design. She is the Chief Strategy Officer for Optimistic Design, which is womxn-led, committed to equitable impact.

In this episode:

Journey and Experience in Education
- 60-second recap of path in the field
- Work at Optimistic Design and key projects
Equitable Design
- What is equitable design?
- Why is it important in education?
- Consequences of not utilizing equitable design
Systems Thinking in Education
- What is systems thinking?
- Importance of systems thinking in education
Book: Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers
- Key lessons and their applicability to K-12 and higher education
- Future of higher education

Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking For Designers: As design continues to impact our products, services, and solutions at scale, it is more important than ever to understand the systems and context that surround design decisions. Closing the Loop will introduce you to a powerful systems thinking mindset and provide you with the tools and frameworks to define the systems that surround your work.

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