The People Behind the Mission
Our Team
A diverse group of consultants, strategists, and community advocates united by a shared commitment to equity, inclusion, and systemic change.
Photo coming soon
Annette Miller
Founder + CEO
For the People Engineer + Consultant on Equity, Engagement, Policy, Planning, Community & Wellbeing
Annette has lived in Madison since 1989 and brings 25 years of strong professional policy and analytic skills, and a wide network of community, government, and business relationships. As CEO and founder of EQT By Design, her passion is ensuring that structural equity, inclusion and community voice and engagement are front and center in the work.
Credentials
- B.A. from UW-Madison (1992)
- M.A. in Social Innovation & Sustainability Leadership from Edgewood College (2017)
- Certified in International Association of Public Participation (IAP2)
- Certificate by Anima Deep Diversity
Our Consultants & Partners
Mathias Lemos
Community Engagement + Project Management Consultant
Originally from Uruguay, Mathias has worked with numerous organizations alongside the Local Voices Network as their Partner Engagement Manager & Spanish Conversation Lead to amplify marginalized voices on a national level. He brings a strong community oriented background and knowledge on how to engage people, communities, and entities both locally and nationally.
- Partner Engagement Manager
- Spanish Conversation Lead
Stephan Hiroshi Gilchrist
Organizational and Strategic Systems Change
Born in Japan and raised in a bi-racial and bi-cultural home, Stephan's previous roles include chief diversity officer and faculty of Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership. Through relationship building, the understanding of self and others, and engaging powerful processes, Stephan sees that together, we can create equitable organizations and communities.
- Former Chief Diversity Officer
- Founder, Center for Inclusive and Engaged Leadership
Matthew Braunginn
Communications + Policy Consultant
A native Madisonian, Matthew is an experienced policy and community development analyst with expertise in racial and economic equity, climate change, and city infrastructure. He is well versed in distilling complex problems and solutions and presenting them in easy to understand packages.
- B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University
- Policy Research & Writing Expert
Naman Siad
Project Coordinator Consultant
A longtime Madison resident, Naman graduated from UW-Law School and received her L.L.M in Human Rights, Conflict, and Justice from SOAS University of London. Her research focused on transformational justice in post-conflict societies. She specializes in diversity, equity, and empathy training for organizations.
- UW-Madison Law School Graduate
- L.L.M Human Rights, Conflict & Justice (SOAS London)
Jennifer Smith
Social Media Consultant
Jennifer is an accomplished professional with diverse communication, technology, and project management skills. She has a proven ability to research, assimilate and clearly communicate information across various digital platforms.
- Digital Communications Expert
- Technology Integration Specialist
Catherine Barrance
EQT Logistics
Since 2019, Catherine has partnered with EQT By Design through Rescue Desk Virtual Assistant Services. She oversees operational procedures, checklists, and protocols, making workflow run smoothly. She also provides design support for marketing pieces and report designs.
- Project Manager (10+ years)
- Rescue Desk Virtual Assistant Services
Sarah Zepnick
Data Marketing + CX Advisor
Sarah brings experience in Corporate Customer Experience (CX) Strategy, Customer Journey Mapping, and Voice of Customer Analysis. With a Mathematics degree backing her work, she ensures metrics, measurement, and informed decision-making drive impactful storytelling.
- B.S. in Mathematics
- CX Strategy Expert
Our Values
The principles that guide our work and define our commitment to equity.
Mission
EQT By Design exists to bring diverse voices into the center of decision-making. Diverse voices in decision-making builds the pathway to overall happiness, health and well-being.
Vision
Each person is inclusively welcomed in their community as they realize their own self-defined happiness and well-being, and actively participate, prosper, and reach their full potential with no limits!
Our Commitment to Impact
Impact to EQT By Design
- Representing diverse voices without marginalization, misappropriation or perpetuating oppressive systems
- Maintaining an awareness of its own bias and unconscious actions and beliefs when working with clients, community, and constituencies
Impact to Clients
- Co-creating solutions that are sustainable and root cause oriented
- Keeping diverse voices in the center of client solutions
- Offering advice and design that tells you what you need to know and not just "what you want to hear"
Impact to Community
- Collaborating and partnering with diverse groups to keep resources and solution-making in their hands
- Equity and inclusion as the means by which customers and community cultivate and curate a relationship together
Ready to Partner With Us?
Our team is ready to help you create meaningful, systemic change. Let's start a conversation about your goals.