THERESE SWANEPOEL

Senior Design Research + Strategy, REI Seattle

Born and raised in South Africa, Therese spent her childhood travelling across Africa, where her parents worked as wildlife videographers. She discovered the power design has to bridge the cultural gap within a post-Apartheid South Africa. With experience and education in branding, architecture, research, and product design, Therese honed her expertise as a Design Strategist.

By combining science, empathy and storytelling, Therese provides a tangible understanding of user experience needs in order to deliver world class design that push traditional conventions and enhance culture. As a multidisciplinary designer, Therese works with a wide latitude of discretion, providing both creative and business leadership on highly complex projects that range from products, apparel, technology and the built environment.

Therese co-founded the workplace innovation team at Nike: an in-house supporting function for all the Nike corporate locations across the globe and delivered the best in class examples of future workplace design. She recently joined REI, to expertly uncover unmet needs, identify new business opportunities, and developing solutions for future markets.