Michela Abrams, MOCA+
Founder of MOCA+, an advisory practice focused on building brands through the lens of design thinking: the consumer. Formerly the CEO of Dwell Inc. – the modern design media brand she built from a small startup magazine to a global media brand on six platforms and a community of 2 million design trade professionals and design-centric consumers. For the last 20 years her focus on design as a construct and mindset, led to the creation of the New Face of Affluence in 2009. Now under MOCA+ as the Design Insights Forum, this powerful panel-based research and related ten years of longitudinal data is the engine for several projects in the MOCA+ practice. Michela’s career includes executive leadership positions at IDG, McGraw-Hill, Softbank, Ziff Davis and Future USA where she led key brands by leveraging her knowledge in print, digital and live experiences. Known for her innate ability to create world-class teams, Michela has won awards for her leadership from McGraw-Hill (Executive Leader of the Year), EWIPP (Exceptional Woman of the Year in Publishing), Folio (Sales Leader of the Year). Michela advises start-ups and mature brands as they navigate the path to profitable revenue growth. Arcbazar, Next4Me, Jobroo, GoodWeave, FocusCatalyst, Freeman, Luxury Portfolio, Kukui’ula and Hawaii Life are a few of the companies she has advised and/or holds board and advisory board positions.