Speaker Series, Vol. 1

Date and time
Location
New York City, NY, United States

About the Meetup

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Hello everyone!

We are very excited to invite all IDF/NYC members [and non-members] to this inaugural Speaker Series event. This will be a more formalized event than we've had in the recent past, complete with great talks from knowledgeable UX practitioners in the industry with a chance to ask questions & network with others.

To end the night, TEKSystems will provide FREE portfolio reviews for event attendees! So bring your laptops, resumes, portfolios and get ready to have a wonderful night. See below for full details:

Attendance Checklist:

  1. Review the details below
  2. RSVP to confirm attendance
  3. Bring laptop for portfolio reviews

Full Agenda:

  • Arrival & lite refreshments (15 min)
  • Introduction, IxDF & TEK systems (10 mins)
  • Guest Speakers (60 mins)
  • Speaker Q&A (10 mins)
  • Networking & portfolio reviews (60 mins)

Guest Speakers:

  • Melissa Sanchez, UX Research Manager, Verizon
  • Nefeli Stavrinidi, Lead UX Designer, Morgan Stanley
  • Joe Formica, Lead UX Design Instructor, General Assembly. Founder, Bitesize UX.

Our Host:

TEKSystems is an industry leader in digital transformation, talent acquisition & team building. They help thousands of talented individuals land great careers in reputable companies. They boast:

  • Deep, local knowledge in more than 400 metropolitan markets worldwide
  • Proprietary research of market trends and analysis of industry employment
  • 100+ locations throughout North America, Europe and Asia

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Hosted By

Long Island City, United States

Devin Harold

Senior UX Research Manager & Insights Leader at Verizon

Why Join

Meet people who love design as much as you do. Together we learn new skills, grow our networks, and discover new job opportunities.

Questions? We've Got Answers

What is an IxDF Local Group and why should I join one?

An IxDF Local Group connects you with people in your city who are building and applying design skills in their work. Together, you'll strengthen your craft, expand your network, and put theory into practice.

IxDF Local Groups meet regularly in person at cafés, company offices, or creative spaces to share ideas, give feedback, run workshops, and learn from each other. Many groups also organize IxDF Design Dinners, where the conversation goes deeper over a meal. These aren't just social events. Members find collaborators, clients, job leads, and future teammates through them.

You'll also have access to a private online forum where you can get career advice, honest feedback, and support from people who understand the work.

You don't need to have a "designer" title to join. If you care about how design shapes products, careers, and organizations, you belong here.

Join and you'll discover new skills, explore job opportunities, and build relationships with people who understand the power of great design.

What goes on in an IxDF Local Group?

Your IxDF Local Leader organizes meetups based on what members want most. Sessions range from hands-on and structured to relaxed and informal.

Some examples of what you'll find:

  • Presentations from local designers, followed by Q&A

  • Lightning talks where members share lessons learned from real projects

  • Workshops where you work through a real design challenge together

  • Portfolio reviews where you get honest, practical feedback

  • Coffee meetups and design dinners with open conversations about where the industry is heading

Any member can propose, organize and post a meetup. You don't have to wait for your Local Leader to take the initiative.

What stays consistent is the people. You'll find designers and professionals who ask good questions, share what they know, and show up for each other between meetups too.

I'm not even a designer. Should I still join an IxDF Local Group?

Yes, absolutely!

Design skills make you more effective in any role. Product managers, developers, marketers, researchers, and founders all work better when they understand how to think like a designer.

IxDF Local Groups reflect that. Members come from all kinds of professional backgrounds, not just design. What they share is an interest in how design shapes products, decisions, and careers.

You'll fit right in regardless of your background.

Get a Place To Belong.
Meet the Right People

In a world that's getting more artificial and competitive, IxDF brings the heart back, so you never have to face the job market alone.

Learn together, get mentored, find your next job, and build friendships that grow your career.

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