Tom Kuczmarski founded the global consulting firm Kuczmarski Innovation, and is an internationally recognized expert in the innovation of new products and services. Over the course of his career he has helped hundreds of clients, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 100 corporations, learn to systematically unlock the value of innovation.
Mr. Kuczmarski is also the co-founder of Chicago Innovation, the year-long series of events and programs aimed at celebrating, educating and connecting innovators in Chicago. In addition to the Chicago Innovation Awards, which annually recognizes the most innovative companies, new products, new services and new business models in Chicago, Chicago Innovation also oversees programs focused on mentoring, executive education, and K-8th grade innovators.
Mr. Kuczmarski has been a professor at the Kellogg School of Management for the past four decades, most recently as the academic director for the program, “Leading and Sustaining a Culture of Innovation.” He is extensively published and cited on radio, television and in national periodicals including The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, The Today Show, CNN, Crain’s Chicago Business, the Chicago Tribune, and the Chicago Sun-Times.
He has published nine books on the topics of innovation and leadership. His books on innovation are: Risk Free Innovation, Rising Together: The Story of Chicago’s Innovation Ecosystem, Innovating Chicago Style, Innovating the Corporation, and Managing New Products. His books on leadership are: Lifting People Up: The Power of Recognition, Apples are Square, Values-Based Leadership, and Innovation: Leadership Strategies for the Competitive Edge.
As a Trustee of RRF Foundation for Aging, Tom works hard to combat ageism in American society and to promote the importance of intergenerational connections. He is a member of the Chicago Innovation Board of Advisors, and the Executives Club of Chicago, the Economic Club of Chicago, and the Commerical Club.
A graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, he has also two master’s degrees from Columbia University.