Liz Ogbu

A designer, urbanist and spatial justice activist, Liz Ogbu is a global expert on engaging and transforming unjust urban environments. From designing shelters for immigrant day laborers in the US to a water and health social enterprise for low-income Kenyans, she has a long history working with communities in need to leverage the power of design to catalyze sustainable social impact.

Ogbu is founder and principal of Studio O, a multidisciplinary design consultancy that works at the intersection of racial and spatial justice. In addition to her practice, she has held academic appointments at several institutions including UC Berkeley, Stanford's d.school and the University of Virginia. She has served as the Droga Architect-in-Residence in Australia, where she investigated urban marginalized populations and community development practices in the country. She holds architecture degrees from Wellesley College and Harvard University. She gave a powerful talk on gentrification and community healing at TEDWomen 2017.