Mission Statement
The mission of the IDS Student Leadership Council is to support and enrich IDS students’ academic experience, develop personal and professional communities, and promote and protect inclusion of diverse perspectives.
Information Design & Strategy
The Information Design & Strategy Student Leadership Council is a student-led organization that provides opportunities and resources to augment the IDS student experience and advocates for the student body. The IDS Student Leadership Council acts as a liaison with staff and faculty, plans events, keeps students informed on relevant topics, and curates spaces for IDS students to network and support each other. It plays a role in ensuring that IDS graduates and alumni are equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry of information design.
The mission of the IDS Student Leadership Council is to support and enrich IDS students’ academic experience, develop personal and professional communities, and promote and protect inclusion of diverse perspectives.
Graduates of the Northwestern IDS program will feel a sense of comradery with their classmates and a deep understanding of Information Design in practice.
Current, former, and prospective students are invited to join our LinkedIn group, or contact us via email. Current IDS students and alumni are also encouraged to join our Facebook Group.
Brittany Holsman graduated from The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Industrial Design and a Minor in Leadership. She is pursuing her Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy with a specialization in UI/UX. Brittany is located in Chicago and currently works for Basis Technologies as a product designer. Brittany is also an executive member of the Children’s Research Foundation Junior Board, where she helps raise funds for the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, painting, and spending time with family and friends!
ADVOCACY & ANALYTICS CHAIR
Rachel Soeder graduated from O’More College of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication. At Northwestern University, she is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy with a specialization in Learning Design in order to have the tools to research, understand, and teach people through strategic and impactful visuals as well as be an effective leader. For the past several years, she has been building internal creative teams while managing the creative output as a Design Director. At her current agency, she also serves on the DE&I committee, where she has a passion for creating an inclusive and supportive work environment so that everyone can have a safe space to reach their potential.
SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR
Michelle graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Marketing and earned a User Experience Design Professional certification from the University of California San Diego. She is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy with a specialization in Content Strategy and plans to earn a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Learning Design post-graduation. When she’s not working, she is on a long walk, reading a book, practicing piano, or cheering (quietly!) at her daughter’s golf tournaments.
Jordan Martinuzzi graduated from the University of Iowa with a BSE in Electrical/Computer Engineering and a BA in Studio Arts. She currently works at Seesaw Learning as a Software Engineer in Denver, CO full time while she pursues her Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy with a specialization in Communication with Data. She has a passion for visual communication and making software more accessible and inclusive. During her free time she loves to go hiking, Latin dancing, traveling, and powerlifting.
DE&I CHAIR
Victoria graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and minor in Global Studies in the Arts & Humanities. At Northwestern University, she is pursuing her Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy with a specialization in UX/UI. She is passionate about understanding and advocating user needs. Currently, she also works as a Market Research Assistant at a management consulting firm. Outside of work and school, she enjoys traveling, pottery, DIY projects, and hanging out with her cat, Bailey. As DE&I Chair, she hopes to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students to thrive in.
ALUMNI CHAIR
After six years leading data scientists in clinical oncology, including two years completing his Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy with a specialization in Data Science, Josh returned to school to pursue his MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management. Upon graduation, Josh co-founded and is the CEO of a health-tech startup, Carestry.
Leveraging the skills he learned at Northwestern and MIT, Josh wants to reshape healthcare through high-quality data, analytics, and design, so the doctor-patient-caregiver relationship evolves into a partnership in which the caregiver and patient, empowered with data, have more autonomy and can take a more active role in treatment decision-making. Outside of work, Josh enjoys personal fitness, socializing with friends, and having daddy-daughter dance parties with his three-year-old.
GENERAL COUNSEL
Lindsay has a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and is an experienced Marcom and design professional with experience in the professional services and health fields. Currently, she works as a freelance communication designer while pursuing her Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy with a specialization in Learning Design. She values the roles of writing and design in supporting audience understanding. Outside work and school, she loves skiing, mountain biking, cycling, and spending time with her husband and rescue pup.
GENERAL COUNSEL
Jeanette Bravo graduated from Arizona State University, where she studied Communication and Tourism Development & Management. At Northwestern University, she is pursuing a Master of Science in Information Design & Strategy in Information Design & Strategy with a specialization in Learning Design. Jeanette works for ENTRUST Solutions Group and serves as the Training Coordinator for 35+ offices. During her free time, Jeanette enjoys exploring Chicago, going on lakeshore walks, traveling, and spending time with her Beagle.