Design leadership

Wednesday, Nov 5

(1 out of 4 tracks – view full program for Wednesday, Nov 5 )

Design leadership embodies the essence of user-centricity, creative problem-solving, and the possession of a diverse toolbox. To excel in the realm of design leadership, one must embrace these principles.

At this year’s conference, we have curated an impressive lineup of design leaders who will explore a wide range of topics to support you and your organization on your own design leadership journey.

While four other conference tracks run concurrently, you can utilize the breaks, plenary sessions, and popular evening social events to broaden your perspective. Engage in stimulating conversations with peers from various disciplines and industries, enriching your understanding and expanding your network. For those with flexibility, consider extending your stay to attend the additional conference days. Don’t miss this remarkable opportunity to learn from a diverse community of design leaders and cultivate meaningful connections that will propel your career forward.

Join us at the Design Leadership track and immerse yourself in a world of inspiration, collaboration, and professional growth.

Track Leader
Anja Saabye

Head of UX and Product Design, Senior Manager, Universal Robots

Morning run

06:30 – 07:00 · Wednesday, Nov 5

Social Event

Join the morning run to prepare for a day of learning and networking. We will run about 25 minutes at a relaxed pace.
We meet at Godsbanen on the corner of Skovgaardsgade and Sonnesgade

Breakfast & Registration

08:00 – 09:00 · Thursday, Nov 6

Welcome to the conference

09:00 – 09:15 · Wednesday, Nov 5

How to Beat Cynicism and Regain Trust

09:15 – 10:00 · Wednesday, Nov 5

Keynote

In the age of AI and increasing economic uncertainty, does digital leadership feel like a fool’s errand? Maybe so, if you’re chasing digital glitter rather than delivering the things people need.

When most marketing falls flat, people need instincts, information, and organizations they can trust. But cynicism undermines trust—and when everything about our industry is up in the air, it’s easy to be cynical. Cynicism erodes confidence and trust both inside and outside your organization. We’ll discuss the three key elements of visual and verbal communication that digital leaders employ to foster trust.

With examples in retail, publishing, government, and other industries, you’ll discover how to rebuild trust in your brand—and your audience as well.

Margot Bloomstein (US)

Independent Brand and Content Strategy Consultant, Appropriate

Coffee, tea & networking

10:00 – 10:30 · Thursday, Nov 6

Unlocking innovation in women’s health with Strategic Foresight

10:30 – 12:00 · Wednesday, Nov 5

Strategic foresight challenges us to question assumptions, anticipate risks, and uncover new opportunities – especially in female health, a space at the forefront of innovation.

As the industry shifts from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, driven by behavioral science, wearables, and AI, discover how to apply strategic foresight to navigate this transformation.

Kirsten van Dam (DK)

Head of Strategic Foresight, Manyone

Lunch

12:00 – 13:00 · Thursday, Nov 6

Beyond Mediocrity: How Small Product Teams Create Big Impact

13:00 – 13:45 · Wednesday, Nov 5

In an industry obsessed with possibilities — new tools, new methods, new AI capabilities — smaller product organisations face a different challenge: doing more with less.
In this talk, Sune will share practical lessons from leading digital product design in small B2B SaaS organizations. He argues that the path out of mediocrity doesn’t come from comparing to big tech organizations, but from doubling down on human clarity: clear visions, sharp focus, and meaningful rituals.
You’ll learn how to:
  • Create clarity through product visions that inspire action and attract talent.
  • Identify the key moments in your customer journey where excellence matters most.
  • Combine ceremonies and artifacts to make everyday collaboration lead to visible progress.
Expect a talk that’s both reflective and practical — showing how small organisations can focus and deliver with impact that rivals the best.
Coffee, Tea & Networking

13:45 – 14:00 · Thursday, Nov 6

Roundtables

14:00 – 15:00 · Wednesday, Nov 5

Come join 2 x 25 minutes of informal roundtable discussions to get answers on your specific questions or help others by sharing your expert knowledge.

Coffee, Tea & Networking

15:00 – 15:15 · Thursday, Nov 6

Flexibility: 2026’s must-have skill

15:15 – 16:00 · Wednesday, Nov 5

As design faces growing pressure, its core tenants are more important than ever: user-centricity, innovation, iteration, empathy, creativity, etc.

In this session, we will explore the role design leaders play – now, and in the future – in ensuring value delivery, and we will discuss our ability to create resilience through flexibility. Finally, we will share our own strategies for ensuring consistent design foundations amidst chaos.

Mark Guarraia (DK)

Vice President, Design and UX, Novo Nordisk

Coffee, Tea & Networking​

16:00 – 16:15 · Thursday, Nov 6

Small Feature Award

16:15 – 17:15 · Wednesday, Nov 5

What’s the small feature that really makes the product way better? Is it a small design change, an elegantly engineered new piece of functionality or something else?

In this annual contest, we celebrate the unsung heroes of the workplace: The small features that make all the difference.

Networking Dinner

18:00 – 21:30 · Wednesday, Nov 5

Social Event

All participants and speakers are invited to the conference networking dinner. This is quite a popular one and we will once again be at the one and only Aarhus Street Food