Professionally, I am an independent design researcher, facilitator, and strategist driven to help people and organizations create better experiences by better understanding people. The son of a single mother and a first-generation college graduate, I seek to share the transformative power of opportunity by helping people navigate change using human-centered design. My consulting work crosses intersections of learning, inquiry, and innovation strategy and is focused on communities’ participation in initiatives impacting them. I incorporate principles of equity-centered design thinking with a systems thinking lens and an imagination for possible and equitable futures. I started my career exploring ways to support and counsel students through transitions into, through, and beyond college. Then my professional trajectory leaped into working with an amazing team of design educators developing design and innovation programs with students and partners. After 20 years in higher education and k12, now I work professionally with individuals and learning organizations expanding their capacity to help people develop to their fullest potential.My expertise is bringing human-centered design to applied research and collaborations for innovating how people learn, lead, and live. I am committed to understanding diverse learners for equity and justice, and designing meaningful learning experiences, especially for people navigating change, and transition points between education institutions, work, and communities. My research includes learner identity and sense of belonging, student engagement and affective behaviors (like self efficacy), organizational culture, and now community design and co-design for civic initiatives.*Note: If you read this far and want to connect but don't know me, please include a message about why you want to connect or I will likely politely decline your request.