Erin Huizenga

About Erin Huizenga

I design large-scale learning systems with leadership teams facing complex organizational change.I’m Founder & CEO of Desklight, and the creator of the Learning Experience System™, a proprietary operating model organizations use to align leadership, culture, and performance into a single, coherent ecosystem.Recent work includes designing a global executive program with Arizona State University, partnering with conservation leaders across regions to translate strategy into sustained behavior change. Other partners include the Smithsonian, American Marketing Association, YMCA of the USA, Techstars, University of Chicago, McGraw Hill, and the Walton Family Foundation.I’ve served as faculty at Northwestern University, Institute of Design at IIT, and founded the design program at Chicago Portfolio School in 2005. I have led innovation projects at large firms including IDEO and Gensler, supporting executive leaders through transformation with clarity and confidence. And in 2008, I founded an award winning nonprofit called EPIC that served the City of Chicago for 10 years.Based just outside Chicago, I live with my husband of 20+ years, our teenage son, and our silver lab. When I’m not building learning systems, I’m training for my next HYROX Pro Race.

Experience

1. Founder CEO

   Desklight

   Jan 2014 — Present

   We exist to redefine how learning is designed, lived, and led in the modern world by creating world-class learning that grows people and culture.Our work blends design thinking, behavioral science, and learning experience strategy to drive measurable transformation.Certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBENC), we partner with forward-thinking organizations including the Smithsonian, Arizona State University, American Marketing Association, YMCA of the USA, Techstars, University of Chicago, McGraw Hill, and the Walton Family Foundation.

Education

• Miami Ad School Atlanta @ Portfolio Center

  Communication/Graphic Design Graduate

• Harvard University

  Empowering Adult Online Learning: Theory and Best Practices

• American College of Education

  Master of Education - Ed.M., Instructional Design and Technology, 4.0 GPA

• MIT Sloan School of Management

  Certificate in Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy

• University of Colorado Boulder

  Bachelor of Science - Journalism: Advertising and Art History Double Major

Skills

• Nonprofits
• Typography
• Graphic Design
• Brand Development
• Marketing Communications
• Creative Direction
• Advertising
• Business Strategy
• Leadership
• Logo Design
• Social Impact
• Art Direction
• Branding & Identity
• Concept Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Visual Communication