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Gage Mitchell
Helping purpose-driven product brands grow through strategic branding, sustainable design, and community // B Corp Certified
Professional Background
Gage Mitchell is an accomplished Principal and Creative Director at Modern Species, where he leads a dynamic team that specializes in strategic branding and sustainable design. Modern Species is renowned for its focus on purpose-driven and sustainable product companies, helping them scale their brands and enhance their social and environmental impact. Under Gage's stewardship, the agency has flourished, developing tailored branding strategies that resonate with consumers seeking responsible and ethical products.
In addition to his role at Modern Species, Gage is the visionary founder and host of Evolve CPG, a vibrant online community and podcast dedicated to empowering leaders within the sustainable consumer packaged goods (CPG) sphere. The platform aims to cultivate a dialogue around better products, sustainable brand practices, and inspiring leadership. Gage’s expertise shines through in his ability to connect innovators and thought leaders, facilitating discussions that drive meaningful change in the industry.
Gage has also made significant contributions to the design community through his co-authorship of “Path to Impact,” a pivotal work that outlines AIGA's impact design methodology. This framework is designed to guide designers and organizations in incorporating ethical and sustainable design practices into their work. Moreover, his collaborative effort in founding the Common Cause Collective has been instrumental in uniting the creative impact community, thereby fostering a greater exchange of ideas and collaborative efforts among professionals committed to shared goals.
Education and Achievements
Gage’s impressive educational background laid a solid foundation for his career in design and entrepreneurship. He engaged in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, where he honed his skills in entrepreneurship and business growth at Babson College. His dedication to understanding consumer behavior is further evidenced by his completion of the Behavior Design Bootcamp, led by renowned behavioral scientist BJ Fogg, PhD, at Stanford University.
Possessing a BFA in Graphic Design from Colorado State University, Gage discovered his passion for design early on. His continuous quest for knowledge is reflected in his recent venture into marketing through The Marketing Seminar of Akimbo, where he explored innovative marketing strategies that align with his sustainable ethos.
Gage’s professional trajectory is peppered with distinguished roles in various organizations, showcasing his leadership capabilities and commitment to fostering sustainable practices in design. He served as the President of AIGA Seattle, an organization that champions design excellence, and as the Executive Sustainability Director, where he influenced sustainability initiatives across the chapter. His leadership roles extended nationally, as he has been a member of the national board and held the Presidents Council Chair position at AIGA Design.
Throughout his career, Gage has also made impacts as the Programming Director in AIGA chapters across multiple states, including Wisconsin and Charlotte. His extensive involvement with AIGA reflects his dedication to elevating the standards and practices in design while advocating for sustainable initiatives.
Achievements
Gage Mitchell's journey is marked by numerous accomplishments stemming from his dedication to sustainability and design. His work with Modern Species has enabled diverse brands to connect with their audiences through meaningful narratives that emphasize ethical consumption. His active participation at Evolve CPG has fostered a vibrant platform where thought leaders can share their insights and challenges in the sustainable CPG landscape, inspiring many in the industry.
Moreover, Gage's co-authorship of the “Path to Impact” emphasizes his forward-thinking approach to design, highlighting the critical intersection of ethics and sustainability in creative practices. His role in the founding of the Common Cause Collective demonstrates his entrepreneurial spirit and his drive to bridge collaboration in the creative impact community, which has cultivated an environment rich in shared knowledge and cooperative efforts.
Through his executive roles at AIGA, Gage has influenced countless design professionals, mentoring them toward integrating sustainable practices in their work. His contributions to various design task forces, such as Design for Good and the Living Principles Task Force, underline his commitment to instilling a sense of responsibility among designers to contribute positively to society through their work.
Gage Mitchell's career encapsulates the essence of a leader in the sustainable design community. His strategic mind, combined with his passion for meaningful, purpose-driven design, has placed him at the forefront of branding and design innovation. As he continues his work with Modern Species and Evolve CPG, Gage remains dedicated to enhancing the impact that design can have in fostering a sustainable future.
