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:
" If scientists came up with a device that would slash the likelihood of ending up in a nursing home or depression, we'd be clamoring for it, but instead it's geriatrics—a systemic, incremental solution. "
Integrating Systems Thinking Into Your Practice as a Designer
October 1, 2025
" Always design a thing by thinking of its next larger context: a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment. "
Thinking in systems to address climate with Sheryl Cababa
June 12, 2024
" We want AI to augment human skills like an electric bike, not replace them like a robotic vacuum cleaner. "
Day 2 Panel
June 5, 2024
" If you’re working at scale, many problems that seem like 'clock' problems actually have 'cloud' elements. "
Living in the Clouds: Adopting a Systems Thinking Mindset
June 6, 2023
" Temporary measures have a nasty habit of becoming lasting emergencies, especially with new crises always on the horizon. "
Expanding your Design Lens with Systems Thinking
March 28, 2023
" There is no silver bullet in system-level challenges; multiple interventions across different domains are needed. "
Expanding Your Design Lens with Systems Thinking
February 23, 2023
