Taylor Nall

Two presidents of the same scrappy Charlotte chapter share what it’s like to step up without a roadmap. In this episode of Cheers & Tiers, we sit down with Carolyn Colonna and Taylor Nall, who each led AIGA Charlotte through very different moments of growth and experimentation. They talk about the unexpected ways they found AIGA, what it means to lead with trust instead of ego, and why showing up with openness (and a well-placed DM) can create real change. There’s a quiet kind of bravery in simply showing up—and these two prove it matters. Key Takeaways Don’t wait for permission: Carolyn stepped into the presidency during a leadership gap—without a plan, but with purpose. Cold DMs work: Taylor reached out to AIGA before he even graduated, and ended up president. Trust is everything: Both leaders focused on vulnerability and connection, not titles. Design solves everything: Even event engagement—just ask the Mullet Meter. Leave it better: Good leaders set others up to thrive after they’re gone. Key Moments in This Episode 00:40 – Carolyn’s accidental presidency: stepping up during a leadership gap 03:20 – Taylor’s cold DM: reaching out to AIGA before graduating 06:05 – From college volunteer to board president: Taylor’s rise 08:10 – Leading with trust: Carolyn’s core approach 10:40 – Building the next team: why mentorship mattered 13:00 – Bridging leadership styles: collaborative handoffs and honest reflection 15:10 – The Mullet Meter: a playful way to track event vibes 16:30 – What future leaders need: permission, support, and follow-through About Our Guests Carolyn Colonna is a designer and creative leader based in Boston, MA. Her early career was spent in North Carolina where she helped steer AIGA Charlotte through a leadership gap with a human-centered, trust-first approach. Today she continues to create experiences and environments where creativity and connection thrive.  Taylor Nall is the VP of Technology for carbonhouse, a digital agency based in Charlotte, North Carolina and was AIGA Charlotte’s youngest chapter president. He brought a fresh take on leadership, proving that initiative, authenticity, and a good sense of humor can take you far. Featuring Guest Carolyn Colonna, connect on LinkedIn Guest Taylor Nall, connect on LinkedIn Host Erik Cargill, connect on LinkedIn Host Rachel Elnar, connect on LinkedIn  Support the Show Theme music: Loose Ends by Silver Ships Plastic Oceans Produced by Chapter 2 Media Subscribe to the Together by Design newsletter for more community-building and podcast episode updates Sponsored by: Able Made, The Original Off Pitch Soccer Style: shop now Sponsored by: Draplin Design Company, check us out! Sponsored by: The People's Graphic Design Archive: browse, contribute, and research