Deepthi Welaratna
The power of a well-told story is still our greatest weapon.
About
Seasoned creative, research, and strategic design director with 20 years of experience managing, designing, and producing cross-platform campaigns, digital products, research studies, and innovative business models. Experienced at bridging the gap between brands, clients, vendors, and technical teams.
YWCA Southeast Wisconsin
Strategic Planning & Retreat Facilitation
Mustard & Miel
Brand Strategy & Ecommerce Launch
Global LA
Marketing & Operations
The Art of Voting
Fundraising Campaign
Courage California
Content Program & Product Launch
McGill University
Service Design
JEME Agency
Monitoring and Evaluation
Google & YouTube Originals
Audience Research
The Center for Global Policy Solutions
Public Policy Design Lab
The University of Toronto
Collaborative Learning & Product Design
Foundation Rwanda
Fundraising Campaign
Openbox
Business Design & Agency Launch
The Rockefeller Foundation
Integrated Communications
Brilliant Earth
Brand Narrative & Content Strategy
Netpop Research
Market Research & Product Launch
Skills
Brand Narrative Systems
Crafting brand narratives and touch points that resonate including brand stories, messaging frameworks, style guides, personas, and more.
Creative Direction and Production
Guiding teams to produce websites, campaigns, videos, workshops, convenings and more from concept to completion.
Research and Design Methods
Including workshops and focus groups, ethnography, surveys, quizzes, A/B testing, design research, and HCD frameworks.
Content and UX Copywriting
Including ad campaigns, SEO content, email marketing, blog writing, white papers, case studies, video scripts and more.
Strategic Innovation
Including trend and foresight analysis, open innovation, product development, digital transformation, and organizational design.
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Communications and PR Strategy
Training, pitching, mentorship, and guidance for individuals, teams, and organizations in times of crisis and opportunity.
Clients
• Carnegie Hall • Nationswell Studio • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation • Born This Way Foundation • Brilliant Earth • NYC.gov • Google • The Center for Global Policy Solutions • University of Toronto • The Rockefeller Foundation • IKEA • Renault • Knight Foundation • United Way Worldwide • Dow Chemical • The Los Angeles Public Library • The California Wellness Foundation • Verizon
• Carnegie Hall • Nationswell Studio • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation • Born This Way Foundation • Brilliant Earth • NYC.gov • Google • The Center for Global Policy Solutions • University of Toronto • The Rockefeller Foundation • IKEA • Renault • Knight Foundation • United Way Worldwide • Dow Chemical • The Los Angeles Public Library • The California Wellness Foundation • Verizon
Testimonials
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Deepthi is an accomplished business leader who demonstrates integrity, capability, and determination to do quality work in every situation. I would hire her and Thicket again in a heartbeat."
- Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, Founder, President, and CEO of Global Policy Solutions
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“Thicket Labs' strategy was refreshingly innovative and approached our initiative with the necessary nuance and empathy to craft solutions specific to our needs. Their expertise in data analytics, professionalism, and dedication to our project's success resulted in outcomes that were spot on and highly informative.”
- Meegan Denenberg, Founder, JEME Agency
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"Love Deepthi. She's a really wonderful writer who has on more than one occasion turned me on to interesting cultural information that I would have otherwise been oblivious to. She's fun to work with, creative and has great style and energy."
- Mark Taylor, Former Editor, KQED Arts & Culture Blog
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“Brilliantly facilitated large and small group conversations. Clear focus of group discussions with plenty of time for peer learning and engagement that then was reflected in a group collaborative work product. How great is that?”
- Anonymous participant, Health Equity Design Lab workshop
