RECLAIMING VALUE
Sacred Valley
In 2026, we offered the second iteration of our Reclaiming Value: Sacred Valley Design Immersion with Lima-based design consultancy Empathy in partnership with PUCA.
With a cohort of 31 innovators from Peru, Colombia, Chile, the United States, Australia, and Estonia with expertise spanning social impact services, anthropology research, design strategy, arts and culture, and more, we dove deep into the context of Peru’s Sacred Valley to access new frameworks, inputs, and inspirations to redefine “value”.
The immersion began with an evening exploring the creative ecosystem of Lima.
Immersion participants during our site visit with Awamaki
“These experiences force you to think about who you are, why you do what you do, and what value you can add to the world and to community.”
Leigh-Ann Buchanan, President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority, explored how value is defined, assigned, and measured through peer-based immersions.
Artist Ishmael Randall-Weeks in his Lima studio; Prototypes at the Pájaro Loco studio
“When you’re with a cohort of peers who are looking at the same issues as you, but from a different lens, it gives you an opportunity to challenge your engrained orthodoxies.”
Design Strategist Tony Bynum on in-person experiences as an antidote to the status quo, helping leaders get unstuck and expand their perspectives.
Andean weavings and foraging in the Sacred Valley
“The thing I took most from this trip is a deep commitment to building things with community. Not separated from, not for, but with.”
Jen Alstad, Founder and CEO of bswing, on the power of immersions to get researchers closer to and embedded within communities, resulting in more impactful outcomes.
Fashion designer Mozhdeh Matin in her Lima showroom
A hands-on ceramics experience with Cerámicas Seminario.
“If we have a lot of love in our work and our everyday, we can create big solutions together.”
Diego Enrique Valdeiglesias Núñez of PUCA on transforming individual action into collective movement.
Eight-course gastronomic experience at MIL Centro
Destilería Andina’s brand new production facilities and tasting room
An artist’s reflections
Cohort member and artist Bryana Bibbs’s latest installment in her ongoing “JOURNAL Series” documents her immersion experience and synthesizes new ideas inspired by native plants, natural dyes, and backstrap weaving unique to the Sacred Valley.
CREDITS
EMPATHY
Immersion Co-Host
IIT INSTITUTE OF DESIGN
Immersion Partner
DYLAN CHANDLER
Photographer/Videographer
ALEJANDRA OROSCO
Photographer
RAUL GARCIA
Photographer
ISHMAEL RANDALL-WEEKS
MOZHDEH MATIN
CICLOS CAFÉ
PÁJARO LOCO
EL ALBERGUE
VALLE SAGRADO VERDE
DESTILERÍA ANDINA
CAFÉ MAYU
MIL CENTRO
CERÁMICAS SEMINARIO
AWAMAKI
DIEGO VALDEIGLESIAS
Co-Founder and Executive Director of PUCA
SELVA SOY
DJ
JOSÉ LUJÁN AND DIANA SAMANEX
Chef Founders of Cusqueñísima