Sofia Singer

About Sofia Singer

I\'m a human-centered designer and community-based research practitioner with 7+ years experience designing equitable systems with marginalized communities, including refugees, Indigenous communities, and people experiencing homelessness. My approach combines deep community engagement with rigorous research, grounded in culturally responsive design and trauma-informed, harm reduction practices.I have designed in a wide range of contexts — from retrofitting emergency transport systems in Indigenous communities in Paraguay, to increasing skin-to-skin care uptake in India, to co-designing care plans with people experiencing chronic homelessness and severe mental illness on the streets of Seattle. In each, the through-line is designing with communities, not for them, and utilizing the power of design thinking to develop effective approaches to complex social problems.My design practice is deepened by content expertise in mental health, substance use, and homelessness, and by a background in global health, advocacy, and public speaking. I also love teaching and have trained researchers, community health workers, and design teams across multiple organizations.Currently seeking: human-centered design, service design, and design research roles at organizations working toward community wellbeing. If you want to get in touch, please reach out!

Experience

1. Mental Health Case Manager

   DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center)

   Mar 2022 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

   Provide long-term case management to individuals experiencing homelessness with severe and persistent mental illness- Co-design care plans to support individuals in obtaining and maintaining housing, psychiatric, substance use and physical health care, financial benefits, clothing, transportation, and any other basic needs- Prototype and iterate solutions together with clients and care teams in a complex, resource-constrained environment- Employ a housing first and harm reduction approach to improve individual\'s self-sufficiency, social support, and stability to reach their own goals for the life they\'d like to live.

Education

• Stanford University

  Bachelor's degree, Medical Anthropology; Minor in Human Biology (Global Public Health)

  2015 — 2019