A Life Written in Bold Lines: Remembering Christopher Ireland

A heartfelt goodbye to an incredible woman

Christopher Ireland, a visionary in design strategy, a respected educator, and a beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend, passed away on May 9th, 2025, at the age of 71. Known for her sharp intellect, boundless creativity, and deep curiosity, Christopher left a lasting impact on the fields of design, leadership, and innovation — and an even deeper one on those who loved her.

Christopher was the co-founder of Cheskin, a pioneering design research consultancy that helped Fortune 500 companies navigate rapidly shifting consumer landscapes. Later, she founded Mix & Stir Studio, continuing her commitment to mentorship and inclusivity in the design world. She co-authored multiple influential books, such as, Rise of the DEO: Leadership by Design and China’s New Culture of Cool, both of which challenged conventional thinking and championed human-centered leadership.

A passionate educator, Christopher taught leadership and design strategy at Stanford University’s Continuing Studies Program, where she inspired countless students to think boldly and lead with purpose.

Born in Reno, NV, to Bill "Coach I" Ireland and Jeanne Ireland, Christopher pursued her MBA at UCLA, not to climb a ladder, but to ask better questions. She believed that curiosity was a kind of compass, and she followed it everywhere. Whether in the boardroom, the classroom, or her own kitchen, she approached the world with relentless wonder and a pen, or her phone, never far from reach.

She raised her family with the same intention she brought to her work: with honesty, humor, and an appreciation for life’s contradictions. She delighted in nuance, championed others' voices, and made space for difficult truths. Her home was full of art, bold ideas, late-night laughter, and the kind of conversations that stretch long into the evening.

Christopher is survived by her husband of 37 years, Davis Masten, with whom she shared a partnership rooted in friendship, adventure, and deep love.

She leaves behind three children: MacKenzie Masten and her husband Devon Caldwell; Kelley Ireland-Kelly and her husband Thomas Kelly; and Jeff Culp, his wife Larin Culp, and their children Haley, Cherie, and Axel. She was a devoted and playful grandmother to Lilah Kelly and Katherine Kelly, whose creativity and curiosity delighted her endlessly.

Christopher was the eldest of seven, and from the very beginning, she lived up to the nickname her siblings gave her, “the little general.” She was determined, sharp-witted, and unafraid to take the lead, especially when it came to the people she loved. She is survived by a giant family including but not limited to her mother, Jeanne Ireland, and her siblings: Kerry Ireland, Kelly Ireland, Kimberly Carano, Michael Ireland, Patrick Ireland, and Terrence Ireland.

There will be a celebration of life in the summer of 2025 to honor Christopher. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor her legacy by donating to the Yosemite Conservancy.

Christopher considered words to be her primary tool, and over the past 6 months, she dedicated time to this weekly publication on her Substack. This obituary will stand as the final publication for Hidden in Plain Sight.