Madhuri Rao is an Art Director and Graphic Designer from Mumbai, having worked with media agencies and independent design studios. They have also worked as a freelance Art Director for a youth theatre festival focused on global warming with the International Theatre Institute, Frankfurt and an AI-themed festival with Fund for Performing Arts, Berlin. Madhuri graduated in Design for Visual Communication from London College of Communication, UAL, with a previous academic background in science and law. They exhibited at the London Design Festival post-graduation in a collaborative screen print project using natural dyes to bring diversity and sustainability together. Before moving to New York, they lived in Goa with their adoptive cat and dogs.

Voicing against animal cruelty and for inclusivity have been causes close to their heart. They are passionate about sustainability and finding alternative methodologies. Madhuri hopes to use their expertise in design to tackle social problems with compassion and expand their knowledge of design strategy and creative leadership skills at DSI.