Alyssa Almeida (they/them)
Design & Creative Director
I build brands, design systems, and teams that move fast and make impact.
I’m a brand and design leader with 12+ years of experience across technology, music, and luxury real estate. I’m passionate about mentoring designers, leaning into people’s strengths, and bringing curiosity and creativity into corporate environments. I build systems that increase creative capacity and consistency, while fostering a culture of emotional safety where teams can learn, experiment, and grow together. I thrive at the intersection of strategy, execution, and scale—turning complex challenges into solutions that drive growth. Outside work, you’ll find me at a show, exploring nature, a vegan pop-up, or just at home with my three cats, a cold brew, and my Switch in hand.
Design Philosophy
Approach
I believe design teams rarely fail because of talent. Teams struggle when misalignment, shifting priorities, and unclear decision-making get in the way. My role as a leader is to create that structure and clarity that allows creative excellence to thrive. Aligning stakeholders early, defining success, and protecting teams from reactive churn. Great design is the outcome. Clarity is the work.
Design as a Strategic Function
Design is not a service desk—it’s a strategic partner. I ensure design is involved at the problem-definition stage, translating business goals into actionable design principles and measurable outcomes. If we can’t articulate how design moves the business forward, we haven’t finished the job. By embedding design in strategic decision-making, we create work that matters, not just work that looks good.
Empowering Teams Through Trust and Growth
I build strong teams while building strong visuals. My leadership prioritizes clear roles, transparent feedback, defined growth paths, and psychological safety with accountability. I hire for curiosity and judgment, provide context—not just tasks—and invest in coaching rather than control. High-performing teams are designed intentionally, and I strive to create an environment where designers feel supported, challenged, and empowered to do their best work. We are all human, we must treat each other with care.
Creating Systems That Scale
As organizations grow, inconsistency becomes the enemy. I design systems—brand governance frameworks, intake and prioritization processes, cross-functional operating models, and shared language—that give designers the space to focus on what matters: design. When the system is strong, teams spend less time defending decisions and more time creating. My commitment is clear direction, honest feedback, advocacy, and protection from unnecessary noise, and in return, I ask for accountability, curiosity, craft respect, business awareness, and ego-free collaboration.
"Within the first month of you managing me and being my support is far more than anyone has done for me career-wise. I can honestly say for the first time I feel like I have a voice that is valued and heard."
Direct Report, Senior Designer
"Alyssa approaches leadership with a focus on the human element by building deep, trusting relationships with both their reports and peers, resulting in elevating the overall culture and quality of our business."
Emma Cason-Pratt, Design Director
"Alyssa is one of those rare people whose work shows up everywhere, even if behind the scenes. They consistently elevate our brand, sharpen our messaging, and add a level of polish that makes all of us all look good. They move fast and make even the most chaotic requests feel effortless."
Jason Heina, Senior Director, Channel Sales
"Lyss sets a high standard for quality and execution in our marketing team. They always find the right balance between our brand’s needs and what prospects, customers, and partners expect, delivering top-notch design and visuals for our marketing materials."
Palmer Mitchell, Digital Marketing Director
"I can honestly say that after working with Lyss in both a professional setting and hiring them for personal design projects that I don't know that I've ever worked with a designer more dedicated to honing in on what really makes good visual design special."