A look back · The Design Leadership Summit 2025
The room, in 2025.
Two focused days for design leaders in Toronto — balanced between big-stage perspective, small-group depth, and time to think. Here's what it felt like.
2
Days
250+
Leaders
16+
Sessions
12+
Roundtables
16+
Speakers
The two daysTIFF Bell Lightbox, Toronto
DLS 2025
Big-stage perspective. Small-group depth.
250+
Design leaders
What they said
Straight from the room.
“DLS 2025 felt less like a conference and more like a room full of sharp minds pushing each other to think deeper.”Umar Rehman · Head of Design
“The packed schedule of talks and roundtable discussions left me energized and overflowing with ideas.”Justin Godard · Design Director
“They created a space for 250+ design leaders that was about human connection.”Natasha Green · Design Manager, Experience Design
“Incredibly insightful, with many amazing conversations that wouldn't have happened otherwise.”Lennie Lu · UX & CX Leader
“I leave Toronto refreshed and encouraged by this generous community.”Ryan Rumsey · Chief Executive Officer
“A great opportunity to network and connect with individuals both online and in person.”Meghan Logan · Staff Product Designer
Watch the talks7 mainstage recordings
Don’t take our word for it — watch it.

Design at the Strategy Table
Maggie Chen · Principal Product Manager
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT · 2025

Crossing the Chasm
Ricardo Vasquez · Director of Product Design
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT · 2025

The G.R.I.T. Framework
Meghan Logan · Staff Product Designer
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT · 2025

The Future of Design Leadership
Alison Gretz · Founder & Coach
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT · 2025

You Will Have a SuperPower
Ryan Rumsey · Founder
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT · 2025

Back to Basics
Milena Tasic · Design Leader
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT · 2025

Craft is Counter-Intuitive
Jenny Wen · Design Lead
LEADERSHIP SUMMIT · 2025
2026 is bigger.
Three days, a stronger lineup, and the same high-trust room. Nov 17–19 at TIFF Bell Lightbox.