Esther Lekeu

CONCEPT DESIGN JUROR

Esther Lekeu is an Industrial Designer, educator, and community leader with professional experience across Australia, the United States, and Asia. With expertise in strategic design and end-to-end product development, she has worked across a diverse range of industries, including wearable technology, neurotechnology, augmented reality, food-tech, and the circular economy.

As the co-founder of Industrial Design Xchange Sydney (IDX SYD), Esther is working to build an inclusive, mentorship-driven industrial design community in Australia. 

During her 7+ years in Silicon Valley startups, Esther also served on the board of the Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) San Francisco Chapter, demonstrating her passion for fostering community and industrial design excellence. 

Her design approach is deeply rooted in sustainability, systems thinking, and impactful innovation. She approaches life and design with curiosity, empathy, and joy. 

Currently a Senior Designer at Defy, an Australian design studio and manufacturer dedicated to creating high-quality products from recycled plastics, Esther also teaches and mentors the next generation of designers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) where she too studied a Bachelor of Integrated Product Design.