Willoughby Design Inc., a Kansas City-based global brand strategy and design firm founded by Ann Willoughby in 1978, announced three executive promotions resulting from an ownership change. Current company partners Megan Stephens, Zack Shubkagel and Nicole Satterwhite purchased the firm from Willoughby. Stephens will assume the managing principal role, and all three partners will share equal ownership stakes in the company.
“We learned that it’s rare for a firm like ours to seamlessly transfer ownership to the next generation of employees,” said Stephens. “There wasn’t a best practices guide to follow but, together with Ann, we did it. As we move towards our 40th year in business, our leadership team is securely in place. We will continue pushing the boundaries to design the most effective and evocative brand experiences in the categories of food, fashion and wellbeing.”
Stephens, a 19-year veteran of the company, became a partner in 2009 and has served as president for the past 5 years. Shubkagel is a 12-year veteran of the company. He became a partner in 2009 and moved to San Francisco in 2012 to open the company’s first satellite office supporting West Coast clients. Satterwhite, a 20-year veteran of the company, has served as design director in the Kansas City location for the past decade.
Willoughby Design has a long history of designing brand identity systems, communications and retail experiences for national brands and entrepreneurial startups. Established in 1978, it is the oldest, continuously operating design firm founded by a woman in the United States.
Willoughby will continue serving as a consultant and ambassador for the business moving forward in her role as founder and chief creative officer. In 2015 Ann was awarded an AIGA Medal, the highest honor in the design industry.
“When I founded Willoughby Design, I was committed to creating a culture of creativity that would attract and retain the most talented designers to do world-class work that matters,” said Willoughby. “Megan, Zack and Nicole are committed to that same vision. I’m confident that the future of Willoughby is in great hands.”
The company has recently acquired several new clients, including AMC Theatres, Taylor Farms and Russell Stover Chocolates.
The company will remain at its current locations at 602 Westport Road in Kansas City and its west coast location at 25 Stillman Street in San Francisco. It will also retain all 17 of its employees.
