Who We Are

We’re not simply designers, strategists, and researchers. We’re people who have seen firsthand how design, culture, and inclusion can intersect to change the world.

Our journey has taught us the power of thoughtful design and intentional strategy. From navigating inaccessible urban environments to confronting inequities in the workplace, we’ve experienced the impact of exclusion, and we’ve channeled those lessons into our work. Whether we're crafting digital or physical solutions for consumers, reimagining workplaces, or driving organizational change, we focus on effective solutions that benefit everyone.

Our unique blend of expertise spans user experience design, human-centered research, workplace methodology implementation, and the neurology of equity & inclusion. These tools allow us to understand not only what users need but also how to design systems and spaces where everyone, employees and customers alike, can thrive. Consumers gravitate toward what’s intuitive and accessible, and we specialize in creating experiences that meet people where they are.

We’ve seen how lack of strategy and process can hinder even the best teams. That’s why we prioritize deep understanding and advocacy in all that we do. By bridging the gap between user needs and organizational values, we help businesses unlock their potential, foster innovation, and achieve measurable results.

At equitabl, we’re driven by the belief that design is more than aesthetics; it’s about crafting systems and experiences that make life better for all.

Our Team

Sonali Sampat
She / her

CEO & Founder

With over a decade of experience spanning UX research and design, accessibility, organizational design, strategy, and storytelling, Sonali helps organizations solve complex problems by centering real human needs.


Sonali’s work bridges consumer and B2B research, internal culture and operations, and leadership decision-making. She brings a rare combination of rigor and empathy, grounding every engagement in research, neurobiological insights, and lived experience. Clients work with Sonali when they need clarity, alignment, and momentum, whether that means designing a product that actually works for people, rethinking how teams collaborate, or building systems that support long-term growth instead of burnout.


An educator and facilitator at heart, Sonali has taught UX design at the university level, guided high school entrepreneurs, led executive workshops, and contributed to global design education standards alongside industry leaders. She is known for translating complexity into clear, practical direction and for creating spaces where teams feel supported, challenged, and capable of making meaningful change.


Through equitabl., Sonali partners closely with clients who care about doing things well and doing them right. Her approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and action-oriented, designed to help organizations build experiences and cultures that are not only successful, but sustainable, humane, and resilient.

D.C. leads research and discovery efforts grounded in empathy, clarity, and deep human understanding. His work is guided by a simple but powerful belief: people deserve to be heard, understood, and thoughtfully considered in every decision that shapes their experiences.


D.C.’s design philosophy was shaped early in his career through a course called The Human Context of Design, where he studied how environments influence behavior, perception, and well-being. While his path has evolved across disciplines, that foundational lesson has remained central to his work. Design begins with people, and the most meaningful solutions emerge when teams take the time to ask better questions.


With a strong focus on qualitative research, discovery, and relationship building, D.C. helps organizations uncover the insights that often get missed in fast-moving environments. His approach emphasizes listening before acting, meeting people where they are, and creating space for honest perspectives to surface. Clients value his ability to translate complex human experiences into clear, actionable insights that inform strategy and drive lasting impact.


At equitabl., D.C. partners closely with teams to shift how they approach problem-solving. He advocates for thoughtful research as a strategic investment, not a checkbox, helping organizations slow down, think deeply, and design solutions that truly serve the people they are meant for. His work supports better products, stronger teams, and systems built with intention and care.

D.C. Nguyen
he / him

Insights Director

Justin Westphal
he / him

Solutions Director

Justin brings nearly two decades of experience designing digital products that balance clarity, power, and craft. With a background spanning visual design, art direction, front-end development, and brand design, Justin helps teams turn complex ideas into intuitive, scalable experiences that people genuinely enjoy using.


Justin began his design career in Japan, working across hospitality, entertainment, and advertising before expanding into a wide range of industries including fintech, consumer goods, SaaS, and enterprise software. He has collaborated with global Fortune 100 brands and also founded and led an independent digital creative agency, giving him a deep understanding of both large-scale organizational needs and the realities of building products from the ground up.


Known for making enterprise tools feel consumer-grade, Justin specializes in simplifying complexity without sacrificing depth or functionality. His work is rooted in systems thinking, accessibility-first design, and close collaboration with product and engineering teams, ensuring solutions that scale alongside growing businesses.


At the core of Justin’s work is a clear mission: to make people’s lives better in tangible, meaningful ways. He is drawn to mission-driven projects where design can create real impact, whether through improved usability, more inclusive experiences, or thoughtful long-term strategy.


In addition to his professional design practice, Justin is an oil painter, a UX mentor, and an art teacher. He speaks multiple languages and brings a global, interdisciplinary perspective to every engagement. Clients value his ability to bridge creativity and execution, delivering future-proof solutions that are as thoughtful as they are practical.

Our Values

Authenticity & Advocacy

We speak truth to power with compassion.

Curiosity & Knowledge

We never stop learning, and we ask the tough questions.

Inclusivity & Justice

Equity isn’t optional.

Ingenuity & Proactivity

We focus on creative, intentional solutions.

Openness & Boldness

We challenge norms without fear.

Interested in turning big ideas into meaningful impact? We’re ready when you are.