Diego Llaneza

About Diego Llaneza

Innovation isn’t about chasing the new. It’s about solving the right problems — with vision, precision, and humanity. That’s the work I lead and enjoy.As an Innovation Strategist, I help organizations move from inertia to impact. Whether launching bold ideas or reshaping complex systems, I bring a design thinking mindset and cross-disciplinary approach to solve real problems, not just theorize about them. I relentlessly cultivate trust and clarity in complexity, align people around shared purpose, and apply emotional intelligence as a strategic capability that strengthens judgment and builds resilient, high-performing teams.I’ve built a career at the intersection of behavioral insight, strategic planning, and large-scale collaboration. My work spans sectors where the need for meaningful transformation is urgent and the stakes are high.I speak tech without the jargon, leading humans through AI initiatives that enhance operations, talent development, and data-informed decision-making. Technology is never the headline. People are. My focus is on embedding innovation into culture and delivering solutions that stick.I make ambiguity actionable. I map terrains, connect the dots, and guide teams from idea to execution — ethically, iteratively, and with lasting value. If you believe innovation should be practical, human-centered, built to endure and make the world a better place(seriously) better place — we’re already aligned. Let’s talk.Core Focus Areas• Innovation Strategy & Digital Transformation• Human-Centered AI Adoption & LLM Execution• Customer Insights, UX Strategy & Journey Mapping• Product Testing & Service Prototyping• Strategic Planning & Roadmaps• Talent Development & Cross-Functional Leadership• Public Sector Innovation

Experience

1. Advisory Board Member

   The Idea Village

   Mar 2020 — Present · New Orleans, LA, US

   Providing strategic guidance in product development, market entry, fundraising, and growth strategies. Mentoring and coaching founders and teams, offering advice on leadership, management, and personal development. Networking and introductions with potential customers, partners, and other valuable resources. Providing industry expertise and experience where applicable. Evaluating risks and helping the founders mitigate them. Offering feedback and advice on various aspects of the startup, including development, marketing, customer acquisition, and team management. Fostering application of UX Research, Design Thinking and Agile tools and methodologies.

Education

• Fundacion de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Comerciales

  BS Marketing, Marketing

  1991 — 1998

• Emeritus

  MIT Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation & Design Thinking

  2018 — 2019

• Harvard Business School Executive Education

  Senior Executive Leadership Program

  2016 — 2016

Skills

• Marketing
• Product Management
• Online Advertising
• Leadership
• Management Consulting
• Competitive Analysis
• New Business Development
• Marketing Communications
• International Business
• Spanish
• Business Planning
• Retail
• Innovation
• Team Leadership
• Marketing Research
• Innovation Management
• Project Planning
• Product Development
• Strategy
• Advertising
• Entrepreneurship
• Customer Insight
• Forecasting
• Sales Management
• Market Research
• International Marketing
• Team Management
• Strategic Planning
• Product Marketing
• Management
• Team Building
• Business Intelligence
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Marketing Strategy
• Crm
• Market Planning
• Project Management
• Digital Marketing
• Brand Development
• Segmentation