Lesley Onstott

Lesley Onstott is a Design Researcher & Strategist currently working at the Lab at OPM (U.S. Office of Personnel Management).2 With over 10 years of experience, she has worked across various fields including social impact design, design research, design strategy, photojournalism, and documentary and narrative film.13

Professional Background

Lesley describes herself as a relational design researcher, strategist, and storyteller.2 Her approach involves understanding and sensing the deep relations of a place, system, or entity.2 Throughout her career, she has fulfilled multiple roles across research, design, and communications, including strategist/researcher, innovation program director, and more.4

Notable Experience

Not Impossible Labs:: Lesley served as the Director of Projects and later as the Director of Vibrotextiles at Not Impossible Labs (NIL).16 In this role, she oversaw the development and implementation of projects utilizing proprietary vibrotactile, wearable technology.1

International Rescue Committee (IRC):: She worked as an Operations + Service Design Fellow at the IRC, focusing on improving the ethical review process for research projects.1

Academic Involvement:: Lesley has been involved with various academic institutions:

• Design Research Assistant at Parsons, the New School1
• Strategic Design + Management Teaching Fellow at Parsons, the New School1
• MFA Student in Transdisciplinary Design at Parsons DESIS Lab7

Skills and Expertise

Lesley's expertise spans several areas:

• Design research and strategy
• Social impact design
• Storytelling and communications
• Service design
• Futures and systems change5

Her diverse background allows her to bring together elements from various disciplines and apply them across strategy, research, and other areas of her work.1