Sheryl Cababa

Sheryl Cababa is a design strategist, author, and educator recognized for her work at the intersection of design, systems thinking, and equity-centered innovation. She is the Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, a design and development studio, where she leads initiatives that use human-centered design to address complex social challenges. With over two decades of experience, Cababa has worked with organizations ranging from global corporations to nonprofits and educational institutions, helping them apply design methods to create meaningful, sustainable impact.

Cababa is the author of "Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers," a widely praised guide that introduces designers to applying systems thinking in their practice. In addition to her leadership at Substantial, she is an educator who teaches and mentors emerging designers, emphasizing critical thinking, ethics, and social responsibility in design practice. Her work often focuses on areas such as education, health, and civic engagement, bringing attention to how design can amplify equity and improve outcomes for diverse communities.

Through her writing, speaking, and consulting, Cababa has become a respected voice in the global design community. She advocates for a design practice that goes beyond aesthetics and user experience to consider long-term consequences, power dynamics, and systems-level change, inspiring the next generation of designers to take a more intentional and socially conscious approach to their work.