IDEO Executive and Leadership Team

Brian Barrett, the Chief Executive Officer at IDEO, directs the overarching strategic vision for design consulting services. Barrett architects the firm's approach to innovation strategy, ensuring alignment between creative output and client business objectives. By overseeing the integration of design thinking into corporate frameworks, the Chief Executive Officer fosters growth across public and private sectors. This leadership role involves managing high-level partnerships and guiding the organization through complex market shifts in digital experiences and service design. Barrett maintains a focus on long-term sustainability and organizational design, ensuring the firm remains at the forefront of the industry. Through rigorous oversight of internal processes, the Chief Executive Officer secures the operational excellence required to deliver impactful consumer experience design. Ultimately, Barrett drives the firm's commitment to solving intricate human-centered problems on a global scale.

Michael Peng, the Global Chief Executive Officer at IDEO, manages the firm's international footprint and cross-border design initiatives. Peng directs the expansion of design for Asia and emerging markets, ensuring that local cultural nuances inform global service delivery. By coordinating efforts across diverse geographic regions, the Global Chief Executive Officer scales the impact of the company's engineering and technology strategy. This leadership role involves synchronizing global teams to tackle complex systems design and social innovation projects. Peng monitors the effectiveness of international design research, ensuring that insights translate into actionable business outcomes for multinational clients. Through the cultivation of a unified global culture, the Global Chief Executive Officer maintains consistency in quality and creative rigor. Ultimately, Peng secures the firm's position as a leader in global design consulting by bridging the gap between local needs and international market demands.

Margo Husted, the Chief Financial Officer at IDEO, manages the financial health and fiscal strategy of the organization. Husted directs capital allocation to support investments in materials, manufacturing, and entertainment and media design projects. By overseeing financial planning and analysis, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the firm maintains the resources necessary for continuous innovation in health and wellness and food and beverage sectors. This leadership role involves collaborating with the executive team to evaluate the profitability of new service offerings and market expansion efforts. Husted monitors revenue streams and cost structures to optimize operational efficiency across all design disciplines. Through the implementation of robust financial controls, the Chief Financial Officer supports the firm's long-term stability and growth. Ultimately, Margo Husted secures the financial foundation that allows the company to pursue ambitious, human-centric design initiatives worldwide.

Rachel Saidman, the Chief of Staff & Operations Lead (North America) at IDEO, directs the internal operational workflows and administrative infrastructure within the North American market. Saidman architects efficient systems for project management, ensuring that teams focused on retail and hospitality and kid-centric design operate with maximum agility. By overseeing the daily execution of business processes, the Chief of Staff & Operations Lead (North America) facilitates seamless collaboration between design research and engineering departments. This leadership role involves streamlining communication channels and managing resource allocation to meet client deadlines. Saidman monitors operational performance metrics to identify opportunities for process improvement and organizational scaling. Through the coordination of cross-functional initiatives, the Chief of Staff & Operations Lead (North America) ensures that the firm's North American operations remain aligned with broader corporate objectives. Ultimately, Saidman secures the operational backbone necessary for delivering high-quality design solutions.