Ruben is a catalyst for large scale change. He’s a business founder, designer, strategic facilitator, angel investor, and educator. His superpower lies on his ability to create spaces for purposeful and meaningful dialogue, and helping others turn complexity and confusion into clarity. For the past 15 years he has led long-term strategy and change through innovation programs for clients in the government, nonprofit, corporate and multilateral sectors.

Additionally, Ruben has developed and delivered master-level courses in management and design and has spoken at design conferences and seminars in the US and abroad. He served as Adjunct Faculty at the IIT Institute of Design in Chicago for 10 years, has been certified as an instructor with LUMA Institute and as a Master Trainer with the Service Design Network, and currently serves a global City Innovation Coach with Bloomberg Philanthropies, working closely with majors and city hall staff in US, European and Latin American cities.

In previous roles, Ruben co-led the user-based design practice at Second Road in Sydney, was manager of customer experience at PwC Chicago, and led the development of global, technology-based learning and development solutions at McDonald’s Corp. Ruben holds a Master’s degree in Human-centered Design from the IIT Institute of Design and an MBA in International Operations from Loyola University Chicago.

Ruben resides in Irvine, California with his wife, their 13-year-old daughter and their Jack Russell Terrier. In his spare time he loves to explore Southern California on his road bike and spending a few nights under the stars in our beautiful parks and forests.