Collaborative, creative and future-focused.

I bring expertise in strategic foresight, futures thinking and creativity to all of my work within higher education and beyond.

With a proven record of leading ground-breaking projects with diverse groups, I can help you resolve thorny issues, build consensus, and generate excitement around ambitious shared goals.

Listening to the concerns of my clients and partners is key to integrating innovative ideas with realistic ambitions while keeping an eye on the goals of each project.

As a perpetual student, I like to do my homework. I use data, contextual research, community workshops and precedents to illuminate the “fuzzy front end” of complex projects and substantiate clear rationale for decision making.

Explore my expertise through previous projects and collaborations below.

  • Helen Maria Nugent in Ningbo, China for a lecture and consultation.

    Academic Consulting

    As Dean of the Design Division at CCA I regularly oversee external reviews for six undergraduate and three graduate programs in the Design Division.

    At SAIC I lead external reviews for both graduate and undergraduate Designed Objects Programs and the foundational First Year Program.

    I have served as an invited external reviewer and curriculum consultant for many leading schools of art and design including: OTIS College of Art and Design (USA) , Cranbrook Academy of Art (USA), Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Canada), Ningbo University (China), OCAD University (Canada), Concordia University (Canada) University of Illinois at Chicago (USA), and California State University Monterey Bay (USA) amongst others.

  • Futuring + Strategy Workshops

    I’ve recently led strategic futures workshops for CCA’s Board, the Academic Leadership team, and the Design Division program chairs.

    As a member of the Association of Professional Futurists and a graduate of the Institute for the Future I bring expertise in developing research driven foresight.

    I regularly teach a seminar on Speculative Design and Research at CCA for graduate design students.

    It’s been fun to discuss the future(s) in public forums with exceptional futurists including Ivy Ross, Nick Foster, Radha Misty, Lonny Brooks, Joy Mountford, Forest Young, Nathan Shedroff, Sara Dean, Scott Minneman, Justin Lokitz, Amy Karle and Jo Marni.

    Welcome Dear Futurists (video recording)

    Prompts, Strategies and Tactics to help you think beyond the now (SF Design Week video recording)

    Ivy Ross Conversation, Your Brain on Art (video recording)

  • Studio Forward students with Helen Maria Nugent at Google Headquarters in San Francisco.

    Cross-Sector + Industry Partnerships

    I love to bring the world into the classroom—and take student work out into the world. I have a track record of initiating and leading highly successful collaborations with a wide range of companies and organizations.

    Foundation level partners include, Samsung, Motorola, Nvidia, Chicago Mayors Office of Special Events, and Cotton Inc.

    Industry and corporate partnerships include projects with Ford, Google, Lenovo, Oracle, CB2, Samsung Design, Samsung Research USA, Hyundai, Alchemy, Kikkerland, Danese Milano, Dupont, The Future Perfect, Tacoma Museum of Glass, Casabella, Winzeler Gear, Spazio Rossana Orlandi and Industreal.

    I’ve served as a faculty lead for important cross-sector engagements including the Make Work + Venture Council, the Creative Enterprises Committee, the Advisory Design Council, the Intellectual Property Committee (SAIC), the task force on Design (College Art Association), and the Nvidia leadership team.

  • Coaching

    Mentorship has been instrumental in my own career and I’ve support many others on their paths.

    Over the past 30 years, I’ve mentored a wide range of talented art and design educators, many of whom have gone on to take up significant leadership roles in higher education.

    I’ve led over 40 successful ranked faculty and program chair searches, and have hired hundreds of adjunct faculty. I’ve also served on search committees for many senior leadership roles including provosts, deans, chief technology officers, and advancement directors.

    My own growth continues through ongoing professional development. Recent trainings include:

    ICFADLeadership Development Training

    SEEDS Restorative Practice Training

    Film ForwardDEIB Training

    Institute For the Future Foresight Training

  • Haelo Design Archive

    If you are interested in learning more about my previous design work and speculative projects hop over to Haelo Design.com.