Rachael Dietkus
Founder, Civic Tech Ethicist, Trauma-Informed Design Strategist, Social Workers Who Design
In a world that prioritizes speed, efficiency, and outcomes, dignity is often the first casualty. But what if design could be a tool to restore care, trust, and humanity in the systems that shape our lives? This keynote will explore the intersection of dignity, trauma-informed design, and ethical public service, offering a new lens on how we build, sustain, and repair the structures we rely on. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to design for dignity—not just as an ideal but as an imperative.
Designing for Dignity: Restoring Care in Systems that Shape Us
Rachael Dietkus is a civic tech ethicist, licensed clinical social worker, and trauma-informed design strategist. As the founder of Social Workers Who Design, she works at the intersection of design, technology, and public service, advancing trauma-informed research and ethical decision-making in civic and public interest spaces. Rachael’s work has been featured in Fast Company and Fortune, and she has contributed to multiple books, including Feminist Designer (MIT Press). She is currently working on her forthcoming book, Trauma by Design.