Grace Francis is a creative leader known for pushing boundaries in design, user experience, and inclusivity. They identify as non-binary and use they/them pronouns, which shapes both their perspective in design and advocacy for authentic representation. marcommnews.com+3oneclub.org+3shots Awards+3 Their early career foundation in design thinking, human-centered creative work, and critical thinking about technology and empathy laid the groundwork for what they would later become: a leader whose work blends aesthetics with ethical purpose. shots Awards+1
Education details specifically are less publicly documented, but it’s clear that Grace’s formation in creative, design, and user experience fields (UX) involved working across agencies, design firms, and consulting roles. They developed skills in experience design and product/service innovation through roles at Grey London, Isobar, and others before advancing to more senior positions. Little Black Book+3shots Awards+3creativepool.com+3 Their early influences include exposure to the intersectionality of identity, technology, humanity, and ethics in design. These themes later become central to their leadership philosophy. oneclub.org+1
Professional Career and Achievements
Grace Francis’ career reflects a steady rise through creative, experiential, and leadership roles in notable agencies. At Grey London, they led experience design and contributed to establishing Grey Consulting. shots Awards+2oneclub.org+2 At Isobar, they worked on content and UX offerings, engaging with global brands including Adidas, Ikea, Lego, and Disney. Their ability to combine creative design thinking with business strategy began to emerge in that phase. shots Awards+1
A key milestone came when Grace became Chief Experience Officer (CXO) at Karmarama (an Accenture Interactive agency), where they focused on delivering growth opportunities for both clients and agencies. Their role integrated product, service, marketing, and emergent technologies. oneclub.org+2shots Awards+2 In 2022, Grace was appointed Global Chief Creative & Design Officer at Wongdoody. In this role, they lead the global creative vision across studios worldwide, pushing for integrated creative, campaign, product, and experience work. marcommnews.com+1
Their work is not just about output; it includes strong leadership in mentorship, inclusion, and ethical design. Grace founded elsewhere.studio, a program that helps people through life and work transitions using design thinking. They lecture on empathy and ethics in design at institutions like HyperIsland and University of the Arts London. They also sit on the board of Doconomy, a tech startup focused on climate action and impact. oneclub.org+2shots Awards+2 Their visibility as a nonbinary leader gives additional weight to their advocacy for representation and intersectionality in creative industries. oneclub.org+1
Philosophy and Vision
Grace Francis places empathy, ethics, inclusion, and intersectionality at the heart of their design leadership. They believe that design isn’t just about aesthetics or function, but about honoring human diversity and allowing people to bring their full selves into spaces—especially in the creative and corporate world. shots Awards+1 They emphasize that ethical design involves asking not only how can this design work, but whom does this design help or exclude. shots Awards
Their philosophy extends to “creative democracy,” a concept they are advancing at Wongdoody. This means giving voice and agency to all levels of an organization, not just to senior creatives—to interns, junior staff, and people from different backgrounds. Grace has argued that some of the best ideas come from unexpected places. marcommnews.com They also believe in design thinking as a tool for life, not just product — that design skills (critical thought, empathy, iteration) help people navigate career and personal transitions. Their mentorship program elsewhere.studio is one way they put that into practice. shots Awards+1
They also care deeply about how technology is influencing humanity. The ethical dimension of how AI, data, product UX are designed features in their thinking, along with sustainability (through involvement with impact tech like Doconomy). They aim to ensure that design and creativity help solve real, human problems—not just make sleek products. oneclub.org+2shots Awards+2
Influence on Modern Leadership and Future of Work
Grace Francis is part of a new generation of leaders in the creative industry who challenge the conventional hierarchy and culture of exclusivity. By stepping into senior creative roles and being openly nonbinary, they set an example that allows marginalized identities greater visibility and opportunity. marcommnews.com+1 Their influence helps shift the industry culture toward greater inclusion, where authenticity and identity are not obstacles but assets in creative work.
Another way they’re influencing modern leadership is through how they integrate ethics and business. In their work, they don’t treat creativity as separate from responsibility: inclusive workplaces, environmental impact, and human-centered design are part of their mandate. This aligns with broader trends in ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance), sustainability, and social impact in business. Grace’s board role at Doconomy and efforts to mentor underrepresented creatives demonstrate this alignment. oneclub.org+2oneclub.org+2
Looking ahead, Grace’s vision suggests that future creative work will be inherently interdisciplinary, increasingly global, and more conscious of identity, ethics, and technology. They will likely continue pushing for systems where even junior or nontraditional selves have space to contribute. Innovation in work culture, in creative process, in mentoring, in ethical design—all are areas where Grace seems poised to keep making a mark.
Conclusion
Grace Francis stands out in the creative and design world not just for their professional achievements, but for how they combine artistry with ethics. Through senior leadership roles, advocacy for inclusion, and mentoring, they are redefining what creative leadership can look like. Their approach shows that innovation isn’t just about new tools or bolder visuals—it is also about honoring humanity, intersectionality, and diversity.
In a media landscape saturated with images, brands, and technology, Grace reminds us that the best work often comes from authenticity and empathy. As we move into an era where design thinking intersects increasingly with ethics, inclusion, and sustainability, their journey offers guiding lights: be true, be inclusive, and let creativity serve impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Grace Francis and what are they known for?
Grace Francis is a non-binary creative leader, currently serving as Global Chief Creative & Design Officer at Wongdoody. They are known for combining creative leadership, design ethics, inclusion, mentorship, and empathy in their work. marcommnews.com+2oneclub.org+2
What major roles has Grace Francis held in the creative and design industries?
They have held senior roles including Chief Experience Officer at Karmarama, Droga5 London; Head of Experience Design at Grey London; and Global Chief Creative & Design Officer at Wongdoody. marcommnews.com+1
What does Grace Francis’ work with “elsewhere.studio” involve?
Elsewhere.studio is a mentoring/design thinking program founded by Grace that helps individuals navigate life and work challenges by using empathy, creative thinking, and ethics to get “unstuck” and make meaningful decisions. shots Awards+2oneclub.org+2
How does Grace Francis promote inclusion and diversity in their leadership style?
They promote inclusion by fostering “creative democracy,” advocating for representation across identities, mentoring underrepresented creatives, and ensuring voices from diverse backgrounds are included in idea generation. They also publicly identify as nonbinary and are vocal about intersectionality in creative industries. marcommnews.com+2oneclub.org+2
What is their philosophy toward ethics and design?
Grace believes that ethical design means considering who is affected by design decisions, ensuring that designs are inclusive, that technology serves human dignity, and that creative work contributes positively to society. They view empathy as central to the design process. oneclub.org+2shots Awards+2
What future impact is Grace Francis likely to have in the creative industries?
They are positioned to influence how creative agencies approach leadership, culture, inclusion, and responsibility. Their advocacy work, combined with senior leadership influence and involvement in impact tech (e.g. Doconomy), suggests ongoing contributions to ethical design, inclusive work culture, and mentored talent.
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