U.S. HISPANIC
D&AD Names Design Leader Lisa Smith as President, Announces Annual & Trend Report 2025
19 de septiembre de 2025
Bolstered by new leadership and a wealth of insights, the creative excellence and education non-profit addresses the industry-wide shifts redefining creativity
D&AD, the global non-profit driving creative excellence, education, and impact, to announce the release of its Annual & Trend Report 2025, marked by the appointment of internationally-acclaimed design leader Lisa Smith as its new President for the 2025/2026 term, succeeding Kwame Taylor-Hayford.
Lisa Smith steps into role as D&AD President. Based in New York, Lisa represents both the organisation’s growing reach in the US and steadfast commitment to celebrating world-class creative work and nurturing future talent, unencumbered by background, geography or disruptive emerging technologies.
Now as D&AD President, Lisa will help lead the organisation as the entire industry faces an urgent need to adapt to a rapidly evolving business and creative landscape. “There’s a fundamental transformation happening – driven by emerging technologies, shifting cultural dynamics, and a redefinition of what ‘creativity’ even means,” she explains. “The lines between disciplines are dissolving. To meet these challenges, the industry must embrace adaptability over tradition, investing in continuous learning, championing non-linear talent pathways, and fostering more inclusive, cross-functional collaboration – qualities that have been central to D&AD’s mission and offering from the beginning. As President, I’m honoured that I can play an even bigger role in strengthening that legacy.”
“Lisa brings an exceptional blend of experience, creativity, and leadership to D&AD. She bridges the often-divided worlds of design, advertising and brand, aligning perfectly with D&AD’s mission to celebrate, stimulate and enable commercial creativity. Lisa’s long-standing connection with D&AD, both as a participant and advocate, makes her uniquely positioned to guide the organisation as it navigates the challenges and opportunities of today’s ever-changing creative landscape,” adds Tim Lindsay, Chairman, D&AD.
D&AD launches 63rd D&AD Annual & Trend Report
Lisa’s new role comes on the heels of both the launch of the 63rd D&AD Annual and its complementary Trend Report.
Designed in partnership with Jones Knowles Ritchie – who also created D&AD’s Awards and Festival campaigns – the Annual is D&AD’s renowned free digital resource showcasing all of its shortlisted and Pencil-winning work of 2025. The platform has become renowned for its wealth of creative knowledge, via interviews with winners and industry leaders unpacking trends, as well as unparalleled deep dives into the most creative work across advertising and design.
For example, this year’s Behind the Work videos offer inside stories on groundbreaking projects, including Spreadbeats, Nike Run, A Tale as Old as Websites, and Macao Design Awards 2023 Exhibition – Tokyo, among others. Invaluable written interviews and analysis are also provided by creator Cole Walliser, photographer Jack Davision, podcaster Debbie Millman, Black Girl Gamers founder Jay-Ann Lopez, SevenSix Agency founder Charlotte Stavrou, author Rama Gheerawo and model/author Naomi Shimada.
The D&AD Annual serves as the ultimate educational and inspirational resource for both emerging and established creatives, reaching over 200,000 users.
