Our Interns and Extended Family

Peter Javian
I came to Design for Social Impact as a hapless design volunteer and stuck it out for a year while slinging coffee at a local cafe. When the position of Production Manager opened up, I pounced on it. I am here to find the best printer for the job and to see it through to its beautiful completion. I am honored to be a part of creating the eye-popping materials for so many inspiring campaigns.

In my free time, I am a partner in SoulPurl 77 Design where I conspire to create stained glass art and home furnishings. My favorite things to do are: biking to work and beyond, eating spaghetti, and going to the movies.

Ben Wyskida
Before joining Design for Social Impact, I worked as a grassroots organizer for the Coalition for Smarter Growth and Sierra Club, and helped preserve over 6,000 acres of wilderness with the Campaign to Preserve Chapman Forest. I have "official" training in campaign planning and in theater, and a degree in Media & Performance Studies from St. Mary's College of Maryland.

I consider myself a "recovering suburbanite," a deeply ideological state of being which prompts intense social activism and an irrational fear of lawn care. I like chocolate, gin & tonics, full moons, Parker Posey movies, Edward Abbey books, and Tony Kushner plays. I've been to 46 states and I love the fact that this job connects me with almost all of them, every day, in some unique way.

Xu-Dong Lin
I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in combined media from Cornell University. Prior to joining DFSI, I worked at National Coalition Against Censorship, where I assisted the research on art after September 11th , and I worked at the Saltonstall foundation, where I helped organizing arts and literary events and exhibitions.

Also, I am a visual artist working in painting, photography, and digital media.

Kris Campbell
I left Design for Social Impact in 1999 to go to grad school for art in New York City. I missed it so much. I dreamed of the day I could go back to work at DfSI. School's over, and I'm back!

My favorite color is Orange, but I like almost all colors except for cornflower blue. That was the worst crayon.

Stirling McLaughlin (stirling@dfsi.org)
When I was a teenager, one of my first jobs was working as a peer counselor and vocational graphic design instructor for at risk youth in the Poconos. It seamed like a very logical position seeing as I had spent most of my childhood huddled in front of my computer, shunning sunlight and tackling every graphic design platform I could get my hands on. Since then I have spent a great deal of time in limbo between the non-profit and for-profit sectors. I believe this inevitably lead me to DFSI.

I have a BA in media and business from Hampshire College where I studied with such notable people as sustainable design guru John Fabel and Pixar technical director Chris Perry. In addition to my passion for design and ethical business practice, I also have a passion for film and split my time between acting and directing short pieces.

Stirling as knife salesman Geoffrey Desoto in his short video "Doppio"

Julia Fiorello
Why DfSI you ask? I'm only a graphic design student at Drexel University, but I know one thing- It's not everyday a designer gets to work alongside such amazing people to (I know it's cliche) make a difference in the world. My job as a design intern has been far-reaching, from undertaking our Lost Treasures project to sketching concepts to providing yummy snacks - I couldn't have asked for a better experience.

I grew up around Hershey, Pennsylvania, so naturally I was born to love chocolate. Actually, any food will do, save onions, eggplant and the occasional brussel sprout (sorry Ann!). I love to cook, laugh, travel, explore Philly, make noises and shake my fists at any computer who tries to bully me, take bike rides, squirt yellow (not spicy) mustard on my soft pretzels, scoop gelato, and make funny faces. Yay!

Allie Bartolino
I am a senior at Villanova University with a communication major and business minor. My concentration thus far has been public relations, but after a class in global poverty and then two service trips to Central America, I found myself unfulfilled in the PR world. When I was told about DFSI I couldn’t believe such a place existed—A perfect mesh of communication services and socially conscious causes.

While I am still in school and have a world of decisions ahead of me, I am thrilled to be a part of DFSI’s work and to be in contact with such intriguing people—both my new coworkers and the clients.

Me in a nut shell: I love travel, photography and curling up with a good book.

Mike Murtaugh
I live and study in Angwin, California. A few years back I decided to choose visual arts as a career. Not long after this I was struck by the commercialism and lack of social context that is so prevalent in mainstream design. As a Christian I knew that I could never work for a company that perpetuated the money over people equation. I was rewarded in finding dfsi for it quenched my thirst for studying design and impacting people on a social level. The ideas and ethos that dfsi puts forth are ones that transcend all faiths and walks of life, thanks guys.

I also enjoy photographing with my view camera, traveling, meeting new people, vegan food, politics, and taking one day at a time.

Rebecca Troutman
I come from the northeastern region of Pa, identifiable by both its massive amounts of snowfall and Texas barbeque chains. With one year left before finishing my undergraduate degree in Expository Writing at Ithaca College in New York, it's nice to know that small businesses like DFSI still keep their priorities on what's important. My activist heart has felt at home here.

Right now I like to read about Native American contemporary lit and politics, border/mixed cultures, feminist/gender theories, Italian language, and the politics of world musics. I believe responsible literacy can change the world, and I enjoy knitting, looking at turquoise jewelry I can't afford, having talks about feminism, making raspberry jam, and laughing at Reno911... at the same time. While I also eat fire.

Dawn Jones
I spend most of my time with my nose in a book. When I'm not doing that I paint, watch lots of tv or shop. I came to dfsi looking to gain more experience in the graphic design world. In addition to experience, I found a group of people who welcomed me and shared their passion for fighting for the right thing. DfSI gives me the opportunity to be creative as well as a chance to make the world better.

Jessica Munn
I came to DfSI after graduating from York College of Pennsylvania with my B.A. in English Literature. I wanted my first experience in the "real world" to be among creative and motivated people who are dedicated to making positive
change.

I grew up on the Jersey Shore, which has given me a strong dislike for shoes, farmer tans and Speedos.

Rebecca Cesarz (rcesarz@nni.com)
My activist years started with the PIRGs in the late 80s and I worked there for three years. I continued organizing during the 1992 Clinton/Gore campaign in Berks County. Other nonprofit experience includes March of Dimes and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. My computer background is in hardware-I'm an Apple certified technician plus I hold certifications from other manufacturers like Compaq, Fujitsu and Hewlett Packard. I got into web design because I wanted to do something creative as opposed to hardware. I completed the Penn State Webmaster Certificate program which gave me the tools I needed to get started.

I love working for DfSI because it gives me an opportunity to continue the activist work I was doing in my 20s while doing something brand new that's challenging and creative.

Kenneth A. Carruth III (Kacarruth3rd@iwon.com)
I live in the Frankford section of the city where I was born and raised. I recently went to school for computer programming and just happened to get the chance to use the skills that I’ve acquired over the past two years here at Design for Social Impact. I’ve been here since December 1, 2000 designing a computer program to accommodate for their specific business needs.
love my Philadelphia 76’ers even though we didn’t win it all I’m still proud of them. Kobe Bryant is an arrogant airhead and Shaq is…Whack! I’m sorry; my emotions got the best of me for second. I enjoy reading and learning about computer programming (Just for the record I’m not a NERD). I enjoy taking walks in the park with my wife and reading Watchtower and Awake Magazines. Frankford High School Rocks!

Richard H. Schofield (ricks1_us@yahoo.com)
I was born in Philadelphia and over the years have traveled to many places like Washington, DC and Jackson, MS, where I worked at different jobs ranging from clerk to Security Officer. Recently, I have attended Metropolitan Career Center, obtaining my Associates Degree in Computer Technology. I am now creating a program for Design for Social Impact. I have been here since December 2000 and love it!

Even though I lived other places, there is only one place where I feel the most comfortable and that is here in Philadelphia. Maybe as my career grows, I will have the feeling to move to other places where my talents may be really needed.

Design for Social Impact · 215-922-7303 · info@dfsi.org