The Team

Sophia seeks to share the power of the built environment with communities who have been left out of our design processes; not only because they deserve to create their own futures, but also to find the moments of delight and community growth that the act of designing together can create. Projects by the community and for the community are her passion. She also finds delight in working with larger clients to challenge the status quo and improve their processes to better meet the needs of communities they serve.

Bryan Bradshaw is a designer who brings transparency and collaboration to Colloqate’s processes. His collective design approach acknowledges historical disparities and advocates for elevating voices that have been marginalized in traditional design processes, continually spreading resources to those that do not share the same privileges as others. In addition, Bryan’s art background brings a level of craft and sculptural creativity to our work.

Angela French provides mission driven accounting services through the support of local nonprofits and startups. Her work enables us to continue to grow Colloqate while also setting a foundation for other Design Justice organizing and advocacy, including work with the Design as Protest Collective and Dark Matter University.

Katherine Marple weaves her passion for culture, history, and storytelling into a design practice that seeks to uplift community voices and advocate for imagining and building community-centric futures. This comes with a love for graphic design and spatial design that tells a story. Her narrative-based approach supports Colloqate’s design process that is rooted in place and building relationships with the folks we are working with.

Lelund Marzell puts his heart into helping people with whatever resources are available both within and outside of the office. Lelund supports Colloqate’s ability to rethink the design process and implement creative practices that heal and empower communities while breaking systemic oppression for marginalized groups including people of color and those with limited financial resources.

Amina D. Massey, Ph.D. is a medical sociologist and community organizer committed to developing and implementing adaptable strategies for positive social transformation. She has worked with academic and medical institutions, non-profit organizations, researchers, urban planners, policy makers, and artists to establish accountable partnerships and collaborations. Amina’s work and research has employed creative and participatory methodologies to illuminate shared meanings and experiences, expand access to social resources, and foster equitable communities.

Kalin Norman is a New Orleans native and visual video storyteller. His goal is to shed light on the conditions and experiences of communities, and those who work to improve them. Growing up in southern Louisiana, Kalin witnessed firsthand the impact of design on communities of color, and how even the smallest changes can have lasting effects. Through his video work, Kalin aims to inspire hope and motivate people to take action and do their part in creating a better future.

Natalia Revelo La Rotta challenges inequality and injustice through an interdisciplinary perspective that seeks to uproot oppressive policy, cultural practice, and relationships. She strengthens Colloqate’s vision of working at the intersection of organizing, advocacy, and design through a holistic view that sees the urgent necessity for each part in support of the other. In her project work, she brings in the colloquial knowledge of people impacted by the design process by embracing the idea of the pluriverse, where there is more than one approach to any challenge.

Tina Taeb is a designer with experience in mutual aid and Disability Justice and a strong drive for clarity and delight in graphics as artifacts of communication. She challenges injustice and oppression that is manifested through the built environment by prioritizing the needs and narratives of impacted communities, and approaches design as a tool for collective liberation. She is passionate about being a conduit for human connection and joy by building and fostering authentic relationships personally and professionally.

Elizabeth Chen uses design in support of community-based movements that lift up human rights. She believes in shifting systems to prioritize people’s well-being over social hierarchy or wealth and seeks knowledge from the lived experiences of populations who have historically not had their cultures honored by design industry norms. Our work is strengthened by her ability to persistently shift conversations on projects to keep community safety and care at the forefront. She brings this thinking to all scales of design including production and detailing.

John Ludlam sees the power in relationships, and enjoys connecting with community partners and clients to move us forward together towards a more just future. As a designer, he values our ability to shape design policy in addition to the shaping of built spaces and works fluidly across architecture, planning, and outreach. John’s work has been key in developing genuine ways for architects to reach out and bring community members into our design processes and constantly evaluate how we can be effective in our mission driven work.