Sheryl Cababa
Author of Closing the Loop
Sheryl drives a human-centered design practice that is focused on systems thinking and evidence-based design, working on everything from robotic surgery experience design to reimagining K-12 education through service design. In her work with consultancies such as Substantial, frog, and Adaptive Path, she has worked with a diverse base of clients including the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, IHME, and IKEA. She holds a B.A. in journalism and political science from Syracuse University.
Sheryl is an international speaker and workshop facilitator. When she’s not in the office, she can be found at the University of Washington helping educate the next generation of Human-Centered Design and Engineering students. You might also find her biking around Seattle, or talking about her most recent complicated baking project.
Rosenverse talks by Sheryl:
" A lot of design frameworks funnel thinking narrowly, which feels like baked-in limitations of human-centered design. "
Integrating Systems Thinking Into Your Practice as a Designer
October 1, 2025
" Design for seven generations—think about decisions that affect future people, not just immediate outcomes. "
Thinking in systems to address climate with Sheryl Cababa
June 12, 2024
" AI tools today are sandwiches in search of picnics—useful, but lacking killer applications yet. "
Day 2 Panel
June 5, 2024
" Involving stakeholders with lived experience empowers design and enriches domain knowledge. "
Living in the Clouds: Adopting a Systems Thinking Mindset
June 6, 2023
" Rich industrialized countries outsource their plastic waste disposal to less capable countries. "
Expanding your Design Lens with Systems Thinking
March 28, 2023
" Designers need to be facilitators of other people's expertise and knowledge, not just creators of designed things. "
Expanding Your Design Lens with Systems Thinking
February 23, 2023
