Collaborating with experts across diverse disciplines leads to revolutionary new products, technologies and methodologies— join Aly Khalifa, Designbox and Andrew Williams, Elite Innovations on how to leverage your networks for inspiration and the tangible tools to drive change.
Aly is a design innovator focused on social impact and sustainability. His training as both a designer and mechanical engineer, coupled with international manufacturing experience, enabled him and his team at Designbox to launch products for some of the most recognized consumer brands. His work has been celebrated internationally and has garnered more than 24 patents. Aly is president of the RTP Eisenhower Fellowships chapter and is Social Entrepreneur in Residence at NCSU.
Aly and his wife Beth have founded numerous local civic efforts nurturing inventive culture. They were pioneers in First Friday and energizing the Raleigh Warehouse District. They founded SPARKcon, which is the nation’s largest open-source creative festival, attracting 75,000 attendees annually. Gamila, a collection of beautiful and sustainable single-serve coffee and tea tools, was a kickstarter sensation and acquired by Seventh Generation. Aly is currently a member of Raleigh’s Convention and Performing Arts Complex Commission and the Dorothea Dix Park Master Plan Advisory Committee. His latest effort is with Ocean Works, which harvests plastic from the ocean to make useful products.