A.N.D. Virtual Mentorship Panel

The TDS Advancing New Designers (A.N.D.) program is an online, interdisciplinary mentorship initiative that connects students from The Design School with industry professionals. Building on last semester’s successful conversation around the value of mentorship, this semester’s event explores the theme, “Pitching versus Telling Your Story.”

This panel brings together ASU alumni and industry mentors to share insights on how to authentically communicate your value while navigating the balance between pitching yourself and telling your story. Speakers will discuss how to present your “best foot forward” while staying true to who you are, and how thoughtful self-introductions can lead to meaningful professional connections.

The event will include a moderated panel discussion followed by an open Q&A. Students will then participate in breakout workshops, working directly with mentors to begin crafting their own personal narratives—identifying what matters most in their story, how to structure it, and how to communicate it effectively in professional settings.

Featured Speakers

Alyssa Scholz
Principal and Regional Healthcare Market Leader, CannonDesign
Alyssa Scholz is an ASU alumna with over 30 years of experience in healthcare design. She leads complex projects and is deeply committed to mentoring emerging professionals while advancing impactful, human-centered design solutions.

Michael A. Beauregard, Ph.D.
Michael has over 20 years of experience in architecture, construction, finance, and strategic sourcing, specializing in facility management optimization. He is a recognized speaker and subject matter expert in operational and capital expense procurement, with published work in leading industry journals. He also serves as a Managing Partner at GenIcon, an AI/ML solutions firm for the built environment.

Brianne Lockwood
Brianne Lockwood has spent her 10-year career as an Interior Designer in Gensler’s Newport Beach office, specializing in healthcare and higher education environments. She focuses on projects that support human resilience, equity, and long-term wellbeing.
With a research-driven and systems-minded approach, Brianne designs spaces that respond to complexity—balancing performance, empathy, and adaptability.