About Deborah Chusid, Founder of Tembo NYC
Hey, I’m Deb—creative director, designer, social impact entrepreneur, and founder of Tembo NYC. Born and raised in NYC, I started Tembo to bring together everything I care about: smart strategy, purpose-driven design, and creative work that actually makes a difference. Before Tembo, I led award-winning campaigns for global brands and nonprofits—now I use that experience to help mission-driven organizations grow their impact.
Want the backstory? Keep reading.
My Story
U.S. Coast Guard
Branding Campaign
Design Years: Where It All Began
My career started in the music industry, designing print ads for Billboard. From there, I partnered with organizations like the ACLU and ASID, helping them communicate powerful messages visually. Early projects—like rebranding the U.S. Coast Guard after 9/11 and working with design legend Peter Arnell—cemented my belief that design decisions shape real-world outcomes.
Take it from A Fish
Cannes Health Grand Prix Winner
The Agency Years: Campaigns That Move People
For years, I worked at top agencies like DDB, Saatchi, Havas, and Y&R—collaborating with leading talents and building campaigns across industries from consumer goods to healthcare. I became known for turning insights into concepts that resonated, whether I was developing brand strategies or leading teams to deliver award-winning work. Highlights include a Cannes-winning digital campaign for AstraZeneca and multiple CLIO Healthcare Awards.
Years in advertising taught me that great work starts with great teams—and that my creative compass is strategy first, heart always.
Case Study for Award Winning Digital Campaign >
View the Agency Years Portfolio >
Volunteering in Botswana
With Anti-Poaching Unit
Social Impact Journey: Finding Purpose Beyond the Brief
A trip to the Galapagos introduced me to wildlife conservation volunteers, and it shifted my path. Inspired, I began volunteering with sea turtles, elephants, and other wildlife efforts—and realized I wanted to blend my creative skills with social good on a deeper level.
Artisan Sewing Cooperative
Queens, NYC
Tembo NYC: Where Creativity Meets Social Impact
I founded Tembo NYC to merge strategy, ethical design, and community-driven production. Partnering with a Queens-based immigrant women’s sewing cooperative, we launched sustainable products—totes, survival pouches, masks—that tell stories and support causes.
During the pandemic, Tembo pivoted to produce over 23,000 face masks, adopting a buy-one-donate-one model and earning recognition from Forbes, NPR Marketplace, People Magazine, and more. Our products continue to be sold in museum shops like the Guggenheim and JFK Airport retail.
Today, Tembo NYC functions as both a creative studio and a product brand, offering design, branding, and purpose-driven marketing for nonprofits and socially conscious organizations.
Curious to see how we bring it all together? Download our One-Pager for the highlights!
Recognition & Honors
We’re proud to have been featured and recognized along the way:
- Press Mentions:
Forbes, People Magazine, Crain’s NY, NPR’s Marketplace, Business Insider, plus local publications. - Awards:
- 2020 DTC National Advertising Award (Bronze): Chantix “Gradual Quit” Campaign
- 2015 Cannes Health Grand Prix: AstraZeneca, “Take it From a Fish”
- Multiple CLIO Healthcare Awards: Integrated and digital campaigns for AstraZeneca
Let’s Work Together
If you’re a nonprofit, ethical brand, or social enterprise ready to grow your mission, I’d love to collaborate—whether through brand strategy, creative direction, or purpose-driven design.
Currently open to new projects and nonprofit roles where I can help shape storytelling that drives real change.