ESTEEM - Chicago Ivan
For us in the ESTEEM program, the intersection of technology, business, and design is constantly at the forefront. So, when the opportunity arose to visit the IDEO’s Studio in Chicago, the global design consultancy known for excelling in human-centered design, we knew it was a trip worth making. Our cohort, accustomed to the academic rigors in the classroom at the University of Notre Dame, was ready to see how the principles we study are applied by the firm that has designed everything from the original Apple mouse to complex social systems we interact with daily. The anticipation was high, even as a winter storm threatened to disrupt our plans.
True to form, the Midwest weather did its best to intervene. Our trip was shortened by an approaching snowstorm, adding a layer of unexpected chaos to our scheduled programming. Despite the elements, a busload of us made it to the studio, welcomed by IDEO’s Steve Schwall, a Notre Dame Alum and Managing Director of IDEO, and Maggie Shannon, IDEO’s Business Design Lead. Entering their space felt like stepping into a human-centered hub of innovation. The environment itself was filled with a plethora of projects and innovative ideas produced by people, thinking about people and usage. The space is designed to foster collaboration and creative collision, as a lesson in how physical space influences the way teams solve complex, everyday problems.
While our time was abbreviated, the quality of the experience left nothing undesired. We had the privilege of sitting down for a candid panel discussion coordinated by one of our ESTEEM Faculty members, Brian Bar, CEO of Victory Lap. We were joined by Aana Leech (VP of Product at GoodVets), Cory Ryan (President, IMA Diligence Services), Josh Staske, Kelly Marberry (Managing Director, FrankinCovey), and Mary McKenna Prasad (COO, ThinkCERCA), who gave us their excellent unfiltered thoughts on navigating the professional landscape of tech and innovation. They offered incredible advice and candid conversations about their career paths, and while they are not linear or apparent at the forefront, the different steps provide learning experiences along the way.
Their insights, combined with the chance to interact with Steve and Maggie from the IDEO team, provided a
powerful reminder that innovation isn't just about a perfect process— it's about resilience, adaptability, and the people you connect with along the way. We may have had to make a hasty retreat back to South Bend, but the lessons from that snowy afternoon in Chicago will stick with us.