Desna Whaanga-Schollum Hon.FRAIC M.Sci Comm, B.Design
Iwi (Tribal affiliations): Rongomaiwahine, Kahungunu, Pāhauwera, Ngāi Tahu Matawhaiti.

Residing within her ancestral territories in Aotearoa, NZ, Desna has played a unique and pivotal role as an Indigenous Design Activator, providing leadership for Indigenous creativity and sovereignty. Her work is a testament to the deep relationships between Indigenous peoples and (sentient)-Place, guiding cross-disciplinary initiatives that are foundational to the global design landscape. Under Desna’s transformative stewardship, Ngā Aho, Māori Design Professionals Inc. have emerged as a beacon of collective indigenous empowerment. Ngā Aho’s steadfast commitment to communal wisdom and Place-based methodologies, over individualistic pursuits, has reshaped the built environment and infused the broader realm of creative practices with transformative indigenous perspectives. This has inspired a global recalibration of design ethos, ensuring the vitality of Indigenous perspectives for future generations.