MESA + RENNER
In June 2026 I had the opportunity to participate in my first MESA as a Design Specialist, invited by Cláudia de Castro Lima and Paola Deodoro. There I spent five days immersed in a real business challenge, surrounded by brilliant minds and a methodology I have long admired for its ability to transform complexity into action. Alongside eight specialists and ten executives, we worked together to address a critical challenge within the fashion and beauty retail industry.
Beyond the outcome itself, the experience allowed me to put into practice something I have studied for years through Politecnico di Milano: the strategic role of design within organizations. Not simply as a discipline that creates solutions, but as a catalyst for sensemaking in complex environments, connecting diverse perspectives, translating knowledge, and building shared understanding that enables informed action.
Working in such a multidisciplinary setting reinforced how powerful design can be as a mediator between people, interests, and expertise. It brought the sensitivity needed to understand the human, cultural, and business dimensions of the challenge while helping frame opportunities, envision possible futures, and support strategic decision-making in the face of uncertainty.
Taking part in a project created by Barbara Soalheiro and experiencing the strength of this methodology firsthand fulfilled a long-held professional aspiration. More importantly, it reinforced my conviction that the true value of design lies in making complexity understandable, aligning people around a shared vision, and transforming insight into meaningful action.