Christine Facella is a product designer and landscape architect, founder of Modest and a part-time lecturer at Parsons School of Design  and the Spitzer School of Architecture, City College of New York. Christine’s research and practice considers how we can support regenerative systems through consumer-driven models and studied landscape architecture to gain a fuller picture of how natural systems work, how human activities have historically impacted them, and how we can restore them - specifically through product-design activities. Christine's geographic region of focus is Latin America which over the past decades has experienced massive deforestation. Her work has received awards from ASLA, and attention from non-profits such as FAO.

She has 15+ years of experience working with nonprofits, global artisans, a slew of ethically-minded firms including West Elm, Aveda and Origins.

Christine also runs a small ceramic studio in Brooklyn selling her Porcelain Skulls globally (www.beetleandflor.co). Her work has been published in  the Wall Street journal and Marie Claire, and has been featured on WNYC. 

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Sabiha Haque is a transdisciplinary professional working in Landscape Architecture, Environment, Architecture, and Urban Design. With over 10 years of experience as a landscape and architectural designer, she has contributed to projects in the USA and Bangladesh. Notably, she participated with Marina Tabassum Architects at the Sharjah Architecture Triennial 2019. Sabiha values co-creation and her alignment with the ideology of Modest LLC made her a key collaborator on the Nepal project in 2019.

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André Amores is a Colombian audiovisual artist and nature enthusiast with a passion for environmental, social, and artistic projects. She brings creativity, agility, and leadership to her work, which spans independent to collaborate projects.Since 2023, she has coordinated the volunteer program for audiovisual media at the Arte Sumapaz Foundation in San Bernardo, Cundinamarca and has been helping Modest with various tasks from plant-based material-research to graphics. 

Reynaldo is an industrial designer completing his MFA at Parsons, is the founder of Reynaldo Studio. With expertise in neuroaesthetics-focused furniture and lighting design, he mentors students in Rhino, InDesign, Illustrator, Fusion 360, and advises on product development, branding, and illustration. His work blends creativity, precision, and an avant-garde approach.

Maxine is an interior designer trained in the Philippines, now pursuing a master’s degree in Industrial Design in Parsons The New School in New York City. Seeking to connect her passion for material exploration with Interior and Industrial Design, Maxine aims to create sustainable and innovative designs that push boundaries.

For Silvia (Dinneth), creation has always been a way to understand herself and uncover what lies within. Her creations reflect her ideals and worldview as a woman, a Mexican, and a queer person in the design world. In today’s fast-paced environment, Dinneth values the importance of slowing down and being mindful during the creative process: the true essence of a piece lies in the "why" and "how" behind its creation—focusing on this reveals its deeper purpose and value.

As a recent MFA graduate in Industrial Design from Parsons School of Design, Mayuresh is passionate about creating innovative, human-centered, and sustainable products that not only meet user needs but also push the boundaries of design thinking. Mayuresh’s experience spans industries from consumer electronics to furniture and product design, where he has applied his technical skills in CAD modeling, rapid prototyping, and user research to bring concepts to life, from initial ideas to production.

Through her work, Carmen seeks to be in dialogue - using visual, material, verbal & written language - in an iterative and expansive practice of research and storytelling. Carmen is passionate about design, community and environment.

Maria Alejandra Mateus is a current MLA candidate at USC with a background in Product Design and Environmental Studies. She is deeply passionate about creating designs that bridge the gap between humanity and the natural world. Her research focuses on using design to rehabilitate and restore nature, with an emphasis on projects that unite the community, the environment, and the built environment

Paige Katona is a research-based product designer based in New York City and a recent graduate of Parsons School of Design. Passionate about advancing the health, resilience, and sustainability of local communities, she believes designers should not only create sustainable products but also develop processes and services that promote sustainable behavior. Her design work is driven by a deep appreciation for the environment and its natural systems. Personally committed to a sustainable lifestyle, Paige has worked with startups focused on building more sustainable communities in NYC. She traveled and collaborated with Modest in Nepal in summer 2019 and conducts design research for ongoing projects.

Ariadne Shehas is a product designer based in New York City. Her studies at Parsons School of Design facilitated behavioral exploration and material considerations. Through design, she aims to engage the user through perceptual and behavioral change. Combining her corporate experience in luxury accessories and beauty and her curiosity in human behaviors, the objects Ariadne has designed make the aspirational lifestyle, tangible. 

​Aria traveled and worked with Modest in Nepal in the summer of 2019, and designs products/graphics for our ongoing projects. 

Jin Lee is a New York City-based industrial designer with experience across experiential, graphic, and fashion design. Focused on jewelry, accessories, and tabletop design, he combines CAD and hand-fabrication techniques. Skilled in research, ideation, and business planning, Jin integrates marketing, branding, and production insights into each design, creating products and graphics for ongoing projects.

August Rust is a final-year student in Interdisciplinary Science & Product Design at the New School, focusing on systematic health inequalities affecting LGBT+, disabled, and marginalized communities through sustainable, inclusive design. As a researcher for the Healthy Materials Lab, they create educational resources for healthier, equitable futures. August's community organizing efforts have earned GLSEN and PFLAG scholarships. They also traveled and collaborated with Modest in Nepal in summer 2019.