Redefining the Workplace Through AI-Driven Data Integration and Human-Centric Design

Kelly Kolar is the Founder and CEO of Kolar Design and KXInnovations (KXI), a pioneering force in experiential design, workplace strategy, and data-driven branded environments. With over 30 years at the intersection of brand, space, and human experience, Kelly has led Kolar Design to become an award-winning firm serving Fortune 500 companies, civic institutions, and healthcare systems around the world. Through KXInnovations, she brings to life a breakthrough workplace experience platform that combines AI insights with human-centered design—helping organizations optimize real estate and elevate employee engagement by merging data science with human-centered design. Kelly’s passion lies in the power of design to inspire, heal, and change lives. She shares her expertise as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati’s College of DAAP and lends her leadership to the boards of the Cincinnati Parks Foundation, the WBENC (Women’s Enterprise National Council and serves as the 1st Vice-chair WBENC National Forum. She also co-founded INJD (It’s Not Just Dinner), a nonprofit supporting small business growth with educational scholarships, and America’s River Roots—a $18 million celebration of America’s 250th anniversary launching this October with music, cuisine, and community programming along the Ohio River.

Managing Director, Kolar Experience Institute™ (KXi) Serge Bruylants serves as Managing Director of KXi, Kolar’s analytics-based research platform built upon three decades of developing branded experiences. KXi applies data, research, and insights to inform strategy and shape environments that improve human experience. Previously, Serge led Workplace & Interiors at Kolar, an award-winning design strategy firm. Before joining Kolar, he served as global architect for Procter & Gamble (P&G), a Fortune 500 company, where he oversaw major building projects across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia for more than 20 years. He championed building standards and global brand integration, and drove international collaboration among architects and designers. With a master’s in architecture from the University of Antwerp, Serge pursued further studies at IUAV University of Venice and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. He is now completing a third master’s in business innovation at Bangkok University. Serge frequently engages in workshops around the world and has served as a jury member for multiple design competitions.