The “CHI” stands for Computer-Human Interaction 🫱💻

… but we mostly call it UX

Since 2005, our events have been open to anyone interested in computer-human interaction (CHI) and user experience (UX).

PhillyCHI events aim to create a fun, engaging, and safe environment for UXers of varying backgrounds and experience levels to make connections and learn as a community.

Our members include designers, researchers, strategists, developers, and engineers from a range of corporate, agency, academic, and nonprofit organizations of all sizes.  Whether you are just starting your career, considering a career change, or have years of experience, PhillyCHI is a place for you.

You belong here.

2025 Board

Our board members make it all happen! The PhillyCHI board is a year-long volunteer group of driven UX practitioners.

  • 2024: Kasey Meredith, Vy Nguyen, Jessi Melcer, Jonathan Nitka, Alexandra Chaustre McNally, Epiphany Loux, Ellery Seither

    2023: Kieran Riley Abbott, Vy Nguyen, Epiphany Loux, Ellery Seither, Kasey Meredith

    2022: Benjamin Dolly, Remi Gurak, Laura Coyne, Robin Zheng, Raeesha Altaf, Kieran Riley Abbott

    2021: Ben Swofford, Remi Gurak, Benjamin Dolly, Raeesha Altaf

    2020: Chuong K. Nguyen, Christine Cunniff, Laraine Tumblin, Michelle Colón, Ben Swofford, Dar Chayse

    2019: Megan Moser, Oxana Ivashkevich, Shyanne Ruíz, Chuong K. Nguyen

    2018: Brian Crumley, Megan Moser, Oxana Ivashkevich, Shyanne Ruíz

    2017: Brian Crumley, Stephanie Lin, Megan Moser, Kelsey Leljedal

    2016: Brian Crumley, Upma Singh, Laura Oxenfeld, Stephanie Lin

    2015: Lis Pardi, Victor Yocco, Upma Singh, Brian Crumley

    2014: Phillip Le, Victor Yocco, Sarah Hopkins, Lis Pardi

    2013: Matt Thomas, Sarah Hopkins, Gerald Gant, Marie Pitcherella

    2012: Dave Cooksey, Matt Thomas, Jacqueline Caddle, Matt Ventre

    2011: Michael Carvin, David Farkas, Kelani Nichole, Matt Gregg

    2010: Michael Carvin, Kel Smith, Jessica Ivins, Dave Cooksey

    2009: Dave Cooksey, Kel Smith, Jessica Ivins

    2008: Dave Cooksey, Dom LaCava, Dennis Schleicher, Crystal Kubitsky

    2007: Dave Cooksey, Crystal Kubitsky, Amber DeRosa

    2006: Kyle Pero, Amber DeRosa, Bill Bulman, Mike Madaio

    2005 (Founding Officers): Dan Tobin, Amber DeRosa, Dom LaCava, Helena Mentis

What makes PhillyCHI special?

Community first
Led by a board of volunteers, we are focused on enriching the community by living our core values of Inclusion, Connection, Relevance, and Compassion.

Consistency
Established in 2005, we are the longest-running UX group in Philadelphia. PhillyCHI has remained relevant throughout the years thanks to a long-term vision, the support of our global network, and by actively welcoming new board members to take the baton.

Jobs Time & Networking
We provide networking opportunities as well as dedicated time at each event for both job seekers and those seeking to fill open positions to stand up and introduce themselves to the group.

Variety
The events we host cover a wide variety of topics and formats, from expert panels sharing recent trends to design slams and UX workshops. We aim to be interdisciplinary by catering to professionals, students, academics, and enthusiasts.

Our Parent Organizations

We are the local Philadelphia chapter of ACM SIGCHI.

  • ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery, is the premier global community of computing professionals and students with nearly 100,000 student and professional members in more than 190 countries. Established in 1947, ACM is dedicated to advancing computing as a science & profession, and delivers a wide variety of resources.

    Within the ACM, there are over 200 professional and 800 student chapters worldwide, driving networking and learning on a local level. Most of ACM’s activities are driven through dozens of special-interest groups (SIGs).

    ACM SIGCHI is the ACM’s Special Interest Group on Computer-Human Interaction. It is the leading international community of professionals interested in research, education, and the practical application of human-computer interaction. The mission of ACM SIGCHI is to support professional growth of its members who are interested in how people interact with technologies and how technology changes society. 

PhillyCHI members are entitled to a number of free ACM benefits, including newsletter subscriptions and a complimentary acm.org email address. Please reach out if you have interest or questions.

PhillyCHI Code of Conduct

Please review our Code of Conduct before attending an event. We are always striving to do better and welcome any feedback on our Code of Conduct.