I received my degree in Industrial Design from the University of Cincinnati, completed six internships and began my career in the Bay Area at Whipsaw, which Fast Company ranked as one of the top 5 design firms in the world. While there, I was a design lead and managed projects for companies and startups including Google X, Chromecast, GE, Cisco, Dropcam (Nest), Merck, and many more. I relocated to Chicago in 2013 to become Design Director at MNML, an entrepreneurial product and brand innovation studio, where I worked with a wide range of startups and entrepreneurs in a variety of categories bringing new products to market through both manufacturing and licensing paths. My passion for startups led me to co-found Prota Ventures at the end of 2017, where I now manage hardware projects and fund investments across our labs and studios divisions, and have co-founded a number of ventures including Stix Golf, Bird Buddy, SUPLMNT, and others. Over my career so far I've had the honor of being recognized with over two dozen international design awards and hold over a dozen design and utility patents.
I love solving problems and helping people. Industrial Design has allowed me the opportunity to work with extremely talented individuals and teams for some of the largest corporations in the world, some of the most innovative startups and entrepreneurs, and on my own creative endeavors to do just that. These experiences have helped shaped my understanding of design and it's opportunistic role in business, society, and people's everyday lives. I strive to never stop learning my craft, but also to challenge myself with unique projects and new experiences that can help make a positive impact in our world.