Jurors
Design Empathy: Turning challenges into artistry.
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A.J. Paron-Wildes
LEED AP ID+C, WELL AP, Allied ASID, Associate Member IIDA, Associate Member AIA NATIONAL ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN MANAGER, Allsteele For the past 20 years, A.J. Paron-Wildes has been a design consultant for interiors in healthcare and education, specifically dealing with autism. From school settings, therapy environments to her most noted work on the building for the MIND Institute; AJ has used her skills as a designer and blended them with her experience of raising a son with autism. In 2013, Ms. Paron-Wildes completed a triology e-book series on Design for Autism for Wiley publications. She has recently completed her co-chair term on the State Autism Legislative Task Force in Minnesota. She continues to work with a variety of organizations to help individuals on the Autism Spectrum Disorder. |
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Jessica Bantom
Change Management Consultant and Design Specialist, Steele Strategies For the majority of her 20-year career, Jessica has specialized in two areas: change management & communications as a federal consultant, and interior design & color as an independent interior design consultant. As a change management consultant, she has supported multiple government agencies through various IT and management engagements, preparing and executing strategies to equip staff to navigate organizational changes. An alumna of the Marymount University Interior Design program, she has also applied her design expertise as a color specialist and independent consultant on multiple residential and commercial projects in the Washington, DC area. In recent years, Jessica’s experience in both consulting and design led her to the human-centered discipline of design thinking, and she brings this unique combination of skills and interests to her current position in the field of workplace strategy, where she draws upon her background to help organizations shape their approach to transforming their workspaces and work styles to adapt to the modern mobile workplace. |
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Devin Wildes
Artist Devin is a 23 year old young man who is an accomplished artist and who struggles with severe autism. His amazing art overshadows his lack of communication skills. There is no medium that he does not enjoy. From sculpture, videography, jewelry making, screen printing, and painting in multiple mediums, Devin has the unique ability to express himself vividly through art. He has won several 1st place awards for the Davinci Fest and his art has premiered in local galleries in Stillwater, MN. Devin’s art was chosen for The Autism 5K in 2014 where his featured art piece was used on Race banners and t-shirts. Devin Wildes has shared his life’s struggles throughout the years with different media outlets. From PBS, The Pioneer Press, The Star Tribune and most recently Architectural Digest, Devin has been a poster boy for children with autism and fighting for his rights. Devin is a current artist at Interact, a center for performing and visual arts in St. Paul, MN. He is a spokesperson for ArtForce’s WINGS program where his work is sold to corporations and healthcare facilities who appreciate artists with healthcare and mental health challenges. Check out the feature on Devin just won a Midwest Region EMMY!!! https://www.tpt.org/post/turning-autism-into-artistry |
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Justin Davis
Director, Athletics and Autism for Life You can do it!!! Good job buddy!!! Way to go!!! These are some of the types of phrases that we use to encourage your child to reach beyond their present level of athleticism (whatever that may be). Athletics can play an important role in the life of a child, teenager, or young adult. Many children with developmental disabilities such as AUTISM, CEREBRAL PALSY, DOWN SYNDROME, etc., are unable to participate in many athletic activities for various reasons. That is where WE come in. Athletics & Autism 4 Life (AA4L) was organized in 2013 by Justin Davis, M. Ed, to bridge the gap for children with developmental disabilities in the community. Davis has been working in the field of education since 2001 and has committed a great amount of time encouraging and uplifting children and youth to reach beyond their perceived potential to greater heights. |
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Philip Sheppard
Composer / CEO LifeScore Limited Philip Sheppard is CEO and Co-Founder of LifeScore, a revolutionary music technology startup, an award-winning composer, producer, virtuoso cellist, member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and Fellow at the Royal Academy of Music. Philip has composed 60+ film, television, gaming and theatrical scores including Sony PS4’s highly acclaimed video game, DETROIT: Become Human, and the Star Wars Force Awakens behind the scenes Comic Con trailer. Philip regularly writes and plays with Odesza, Pretty Lights and UNKLE and has been featured with music legends: Scott Walker, Grace Jones, Jimmy Page, Jeff Buckley, David Bowie, Sia, Suzanne Vega and Jarvis Cocker. In 2017, Philip collaborated with Odesza on their album, A Moment Apart, which was nominated for two Grammy Awards. Philip’s second solo orchestral album, Fall From Earth, was recorded at Abbey Road Studios and released in 2018. Philip rearranged and recorded all 205 national anthems for the winners' ceremonies of the 2012 London Olympics. Philip’s music production portfolio includes the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Tour de France, Rugby World Cup, and COP21 Paris Climate Change Summit. Philip has delivered keynotes on creative innovation in conferences around the globe such as C2MTL, TTI Vanguard, and WHD.Global and for business giants such as Ernst & Young, Deloitte, YouTube, Facebook, Kyu Collective and Google. Philip also created the game “Compose Yourself”, which was featured in the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine for Kids and Newsday. www.philipsheppard.com |