Subashini Nadarajah

Subashini Nadarajah is a multifaceted leader, educator, and designer who has been recognized for her work in both the creative and DE&I sectors. In 2023, she was honored by the Kansas City Business Journal as one of the “Twenty to Know in Advertising and Marketing.” She also received the prestigious 2021 ACE Award and has won numerous design accolades, including a coveted Pencil from The One Show. Currently, Subashini teaches Design Ethics at the University of Kansas, where she shares her extensive knowledge and passion for creating ethical and human-centered design solutions with the next generation of designers. With a background that spans 35 years in commercial design and leadership, Subashini brings both artistic expertise and a human-centric philosophy to her teaching. Previously, Subashini served as the Global Executive Director of Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at VML, where she worked tirelessly to foster an inclusive workplace environment. She spearheaded cross-cultural communication initiatives, instituted new DE&I programs, and maximized talent pools to ensure that every employee felt welcome, safe, and heard. Her work at VML included the launch of the Multicultural Creative Center of Excellence, promoting inclusivity awareness throughout the creative process. She also co-founded Ascend, a yearlong development program for rising Asian and Pacific Islander employees. As VML's Director of Design, Subashini transformed the design department into one of the agency’s most prominent units, working with high-profile clients such as Walmart, McDonald’s, Sprint, Bayer, Johnson & Johnson, Sherwin Williams, Colgate, Intel, Disney, and Google. Her creative direction at Hallmark and her roles at River City Studio, Bernstein-Rein, and Blacktop Creative further solidified her as a leader in branding and design. While some may have seen her transition from design to DE&I leadership as a major shift, it was a natural progression for Subashini. Her work has always centered on understanding the human heart through art, making her a champion for equitable environments and historically underrepresented groups. Subashini’s expertise has earned her widespread recognition, including awards from The One Show, Art Directors Club, ADDY Awards, and her role as a juror for the 2023 ANA Multicultural Award. She has also recently joined the board of the International Relations Council (IRC), part of the World Affairs Councils of America, where she helps foster global awareness in the Kansas City community. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Subashini designed her own home, which was featured in Dwell in the article, “Room We Love: Sunny Modern Kitchen in Kansas.” She is a trilingual world traveler, photographer, potter, painter, and avid walker who balances her love of design with mindfulness, Pilates, and meditation. Subashini is passionate about empowering young designers through education, having taught at the Kansas City Art Institute and the University of Central Missouri, covering courses in branding, guerrilla marketing, trend research, and design systems. Now, she continues her mission as she leads the next generation in exploring the intersection of ethics and design.