Business and design leader, startup advisor, and leadership columnist

Doreen Lorenzo is a successful leader of global creative firms who has advised Fortune 100 companies on design and innovation issues for decades. The former president of the global design firms, frog and Quirky, she is now a co-founder of the mobile video insights firm Vidlet, The Executive Director for the Center of Integrated Design at the University of Texas, a board member and advisor of several startups, and a columnist for Fast Company Co.Design and Medium. A recognized thought leader on business and design issues, she speaks publicly about her signature leadership style and the power of empathy to drive business results. A Manhattan native, she maintains that everything in life connects back to a Ramones song.

Doreen is an ardent believer in the advantages of “soft skills” like empathy and humor in business. She speaks at industry conferences, at private events, and to the media about her experience using these often overlooked skills to understand and motivate creative people. A driven and successful woman in a male-dominated industry, Doreen also speaks about women in leadership and coaches aspiring women leaders to help them find their own paths to success.

In 2015 Doreen joined forces with other business and design leaders, including former frog co-founders Hartmut Esslinger and Patricia Roller, to launch Vidlet, a mobile video platform that transforms how brands communicate and capture insights from customers, employees, and anyone else important to their business.

In 2016 Doreen became the Executive Director for the Center of Integrated Design at the University of Texas. She is working to implement critical problem solving skills across all the schools. The program will allow students to work in a multi-disciplinary teams to solve complex business problems.

From 2013 to 2015 Doreen was president of Quirky, where she oversaw product development and operations. Prior to Quirky she worked at frog for 16 years, including seven years as president. While president of frog she drove company strategy, oversaw worldwide operations and delivery, and led the iconic design firm to record growth.

As a thought leader on design and innovation, Doreen is a frequent resource to various business publications. She has been featured in ABC News, Bloomberg Radio, Fast Company, Fortune, The New York Times, and many other media. She served as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies (2011-2013) and Emerging Multi Nationals (2013-Present).

Doreen earned a master’s degree in communication and media studies from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in theater from the State University of New York, Stony Brook.