Hi!

I'm Chuck - I collaborate with innovators, creatives, and organizations to bring products, services, and businesses to life.

I am passionate about infusing meaning into business by deeply understanding people (their needs, motivations, and challenges) and determining how companies can deliver unique, impactful solutions for their customers. I specialize in guiding teams through human-centered design and design thinking methodologies, from research and ideation to iteration, validation, and scaling. I am a dynamic leader passionate about building high-performing teams, driving strategic transformation, and delivering meaningful impact.

I began my career in the footwear industry, where I led major brand initiatives, optimized operations, and drove market growth. Since then, I have transitioned into strategy and innovation consulting, applying my expertise to complex challenges across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, I have led large-scale customer experience (CX) and transformation projects in government services.

I specialize in bridging the gap between strategy, design, and customer experience to create sustainable, high-impact results.

My expertise spans human-centered design, business transformation, innovation strategy, and operations. Whether working with Fortune 500 companies, startups, or federal agencies, I excel at connecting the dots, simplifying complexity, and guiding organizations through change.

Key Strengths:

• Leading enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and operational transformations

• Managing large-scale programs, multi-million dollar budgets, and cross-functional teams

• Driving innovation through human-centered design and design thinking methodologies

• Optimizing product and service experiences to enhance customer and user engagement

• Mentoring and coaching emerging leaders to build high-performing teams

Overall, my experience has taught me how to drive innovation, strategy, and business design across an organization. Feel free to reach out to me about career opportunities or just to network.

SKILLS

Publications

• Awarded a grant from Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health and the white paper was published in Dec 2018.

Lectures

• Guest lectured at NYC Net Impact events, SCAD, Parsons School of Design, and Pratt Institute.

Keynotes & Workshops

• Mad*Pow’s Tenth Annual Health Experience Design Conference, April 14-15, 2020 in Boston: Achieving Care Integration for Children with Medical Complexity: The Human-Centered Design Approach to Care Coordinatio

• Facilitated a Design thinking workshop for NYHRPS; Understanding of how and why to introduce design thinking in your organization and HR teams. May 2019; Ruud, C; Lupushor, S; Garcia, C.

• Facilitated a workshop on applying design thinking & systems thinking into Care Coordination at the New York State Public Health Association & NYSACHO annual conference, April 2019; Ruud C. Tahara D.

• Poster presentation: Pediatric Academic Societies May 5-8, 2018. Toronto, Canada. The Range of Care Coordination Needs of Children with Medical Complexity. Kuo, D. Ruud, C. and Tahara, D.

Other Stuff

• Net Impact NYC chapter - Service Corp’s pro-bono consulting committee member, Consultant trainer, Mentor & Consultant.

• Co-Founded and was the chapter President of Pratt Institute's Net Impact Chapter (2015-16).

• At Pratt; I was part of a team that won a business plan competition for a new service experience that was presented to a venture capitalist.

• Shoes Master Magazine published an interview with my about my designs for the Japanese market while at Timberland.

Some of the things I love to do outside of work; World traveler, Hiker, Snowboarder, Cyclist, Hockey goalie and more...