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Cheers & Tiers: Skateboards, Pyramids, and Design Leadership with Elysia Syriac

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you mix skateboard art, human pyramids in bowling alleys, and a decade of design leadership, our latest Cheers & Tiers episode with the fabulous Elysia Syriac delivers all that and more!

Author

Rachel Elnar
April 19, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes

Elysia’s journey from shy AIGA student member to powerhouse community builder isn’t just entertaining—it’s a masterclass in how showing up for your creative community can transform your career and life in ways you'd never expect. Pour yourself something nice and dive into our conversation with one of design’s most vibrant community architects.

The Skateboard Queen of Colorado

Elysia’s AIGA journey began innocently enough as a student member in the early 2000s, but everything changed when she volunteered to run a little skateboard art show called “Bordo Bello.” With her characteristic enthusiasm (and that lovely smile she mentions on the podcast), she transformed this modest mentorship program into a design phenomenon featuring 200+ boards annually from legends like Debbie Millman and Aaron Draplin. These weren’t just any skateboards—they became light brights, robots, and artistic statements that ultimately raised over $50,000 for students with disabilities. “I have assets for days,” she laughed when we asked about photos—just wait until you see them!

From Shy Newcomer to Leadership Powerhouse

The transformation from shy newcomer to confident leader is a story many AIGA veterans will recognize. At her first leadership retreat in Chattanooga, Elysia watched in awe as design leaders commanded the stage, thinking, “My God, who are these people? I will never be them.” Fast forward through seven leadership retreats, and there she was, helping host the Denver gathering as incoming President’s Council Chair. Talk about a glow-up!

Human Pyramids and Midnight Adventures

No Cheers & Tiers episode would be complete without tales of after-hours shenanigans, and Elysia didn’t disappoint. We got the inside scoop on human pyramids popping up everywhere from bars to bowling alleys (with Rachel confessing to being at the top of one particularly memorable structure). As a “smaller person,” Elysia was frequently perched at the pyramid’s peak, while Erik proudly owned his role as a foundation-builder.

The Magic of Design Community

Perhaps what resonates most from our conversation with Elysia is the beautiful reminder of what happens when creative people come together with purpose. Whether it was curating skateboard art that changed lives, hosting leadership retreats that forged lifelong friendships, or simply creating spaces where designers could feel seen and understood, Elysia embodies the spirit of what made AIGA leadership so special. In a world where digital connections often replace physical ones, her stories of chapter display tables, pin exchanges, and late-night diner revelations feel almost magical—a testament to the irreplaceable value of showing up, raising your hand, and building something bigger than yourself. As Elysia put it, “I could go to any city across the United States, and if they had an AIGA chapter, I had friends.” Isn’t that what community is all about?

The Legacy Continues

What struck us most was how Elysia’s AIGA experience directly shaped her impressive career at Adobe (where she worked with Rachel!) and Amazon, leading creative gatherings and design excellence initiatives. “My career development was much more rich and expansive because of my AIGA community, 100%,” she shared with genuine appreciation.

As our conversation wrapped, Elysia reminded us why design community matters now more than ever: “We hold a lot of responsibility and accountability for our world and how it communicates.” It’s a powerful thought from someone who’s lived the transformative power of creative connection.

Want to hear more stories like Elysia’s? Subscribe to Cheers & Tiers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’ll have more episodes featuring your friends and your favorite design leaders, sharing their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

Please subscribe, rate, and review Cheers & Tiers: Design Leadership Tales Retold wherever you get your podcasts.

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