Curious, relentless, and smart, GSD&M’s executive creative director Maria D’Amato, has made a career out of turning knowledge into ideas that make a difference. With a simple philosophy—to be ahead of what’s happening in technology and design—Maria has made a name for herself as a brilliant creative mind and smart technologist since rejoining GSD&M in 2015 from R/GA Austin, where she was the head of visual design. Maria played an integral role in establishing the experience design discipline and has since been a formative partner to Southwest Airlines, Pizza Hut, Stanley 1913, the United States Air Force and Space Force and more. She is lauded for her ability to lead by example, seizing opportunities to help teams concept, plan, and execute ideas that build First & Only brands.