Deandra Nichols

Deandra Nichols is a seasoned professional in UX research and social impact design, currently serving as the Senior UX Research Manager at YouTube, where leadership of the Culture Lab team focuses on advancing racial justice, equity, and inclusion in media. Previous roles include Principal of Design & Social Practice at Civic Creatives, where Deandra facilitated community engagement on social issues, and a Design Instructor at Washington University in St. Louis, emphasizing community-based social impact design. Deandra has also held notable fellowships at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and co-founded Catalysts by Design to merge design with social entrepreneurship. Educational background includes a Loeb Fellowship from Harvard, a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications Design from the same institution.