Daniela Restrepo Ortiz
About Daniela Restrepo Ortiz
Daniela Restrepo Ortiz is a Senior Design Researcher at IDEO.org, where she leads design research initiatives. With a background in industrial and systems-oriented design, she has collaborated with various prestigious organizations on community-led innovation projects.
Work at IDEO
Daniela Restrepo Ortiz currently serves as a Senior Design Researcher at IDEO.org, a position she has held since 2020. In 2023, she transitioned to the role of Design Research Lead, focusing on community-led innovation projects. Her work is based in San Francisco, California, and follows a hybrid work model. Prior to her current role, she worked at IDEO as a Design Lead for five months in 2021-2022.
Education and Expertise
Daniela Restrepo Ortiz holds a Master’s degree in Systems-Oriented Design from Politecnico di Torino, where she studied from 2010 to 2013. She also earned a degree in Industrial Design from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, completing her studies from 2006 to 2010. Her educational background supports her expertise in design research and systems-oriented design.
Professional Background
Before joining IDEO, Daniela Restrepo Ortiz held several positions that contributed to her professional development. She worked as a Global Chapter Community Manager at OpenIDEO from 2017 to 2018 and later served as a Senior Community Strategist and Chapter Community Manager from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, she was a consultant at Elementa Consultora en Derechos in Bogotá, Colombia, from 2016 to 2017, and coordinated the Hub Bogotá at LATIO 6 from 2015 to 2017.
Collaborations and Advocacy
Daniela Restrepo Ortiz has collaborated with notable organizations such as the Earthshot Prize, The Rockefeller Foundation, USAID, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and The Carter Center. Her work focuses on community-led innovation projects, and she advocates for the use of humor as a driver of change. She employs storytelling as a tool for creating social change and impact.
Skills and Interests
Daniela Restrepo Ortiz possesses a diverse skill set that includes being a polyglot, dancer, and writer. Her multifaceted interests complement her professional work in design research and community engagement, enhancing her ability to connect with diverse audiences and foster collaboration.