Openbox

Openbox began as a social impact investment firm—but a bigger idea was waiting just under the surface. Over fifteen months, I partnered with founder Marquise Stillwell to reimagine the company’s identity, positioning, and service model from the ground up. The result? A full transformation from investor to design studio—now known for pioneering socially engaged research and design at the intersection of people, cities, and planet.

Motivation

Openbox had a strong portfolio and visionary leadership, but lacked a cohesive narrative and go-to-market strategy. The question on the table: should they build a consulting vertical—or become something entirely new? I was brought in to explore that opportunity, evaluate the market, and help define the path forward.

Approach

What started as a three-month engagement turned into a fifteen-month collaboration. I worked closely with Stillwell to evaluate the competitive landscape, reposition the firm, and craft a new identity grounded in design for impact. We mapped service offerings, refined the studio’s philosophy, built internal structure, and developed marketing and storytelling tools to support the shift. By the end of 2013, Openbox had fully transitioned into a design studio—abandoning its investor-first identity and embracing a new role as a research and strategy partner for mission-driven institutions.

Key projects during this period included:

• The Lowline Young Designers Program: I served as an advisor on exhibition strategy, audio storytelling, outreach, and fundraising for this ambitious civic engagement initiative.

• The Haiti Report: I led an impact evaluation and co-created a toolkit to assess the success of a grassroots partnership between KOFAVIV and Digital Democracy, culminating in a presentation at the Clinton Global Initiative.

• Randi Zinn Brand Launch: I helped Zinn articulate the long-term vision for her lifestyle brand, launch her first website, and establish a team and growth roadmap.

Outcomes

Full-Scale Repositioning: Openbox transitioned from impact investor to design studio, with a redefined brand, service model, and internal team structure.

Systems Research, Strategic Narrative, and Client Growth: The new positioning opened doors to clients and collaborators in urban planning, global development, and design for equity.

Thought Leadership Platforms: The Haiti Report, Lowline exhibit, and CGI launch helped position Openbox as a global voice in design for social change.

Leadership & Impact

This was a transformational engagement—one that reshaped an entire business model and expanded what Openbox could become. I helped the founder articulate his vision, operationalize it, and invite the right people in. The studio continues to build on that foundation today, with research and design—not capital—as its currency for impact.