Next Cohorts Starts
July 21st, 2026
Program Length
6 Months
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Cohort 3 Application Deadline: June 2nd
ABOUT CHICAGO INNOVATION FELLOWS
The Chicago Innovation Fellows Program is a practical innovation-focused leadership program designed to cultivate world-class innovation leaders and connect executives to the Chicago Innovation ecosystem.
A POWERFUL EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
Partnering with Northwestern Kellogg’s Center for Research in Technology and Innovation, this six-month program blends cutting-edge theory with practical application to supercharge your innovation capabilities.
ABOUT CHICAGO INNOVATION
Chicago Innovation’s mission is to educate, connect, and celebrate ALL innovators in the Chicago region and ensure that innovation is for everyone by energizing a community that makes an impact.
ABOUT KELLOGG CRTI
A global hub of innovation, connecting and collaborating worldwide with leaders and researchers to advance and share information and to transform it into practical value.
Chicago Innovation Fellows is for organizations with
a growth innovation mindset
WHY CHOOSE US?
A practical innovation experience designed to equip leaders with the tools, network and real-world learning needed to drive meaningful innovation.
Exclusive Collaboration with Kellogg’s CRTI Top Faculty & Chicago Innovation Winners
& Hall of Famers
Experiential Learning through projects, field trips, and coaching
Networking with and learning from successful Chicago Innovation innovators
Skills Development to foster growth through innovation
NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG
FACULTY MEMBERS
Tom Kuczmarski
Innovation Best Practices
Mohan Sawhney
Growth Through Focus
James Conley
IP for Competitive Advantage
Andrew Razeghi
Creative Innovation
Dr. Mary Ellen Weber
High-Risk Decision Making
Susan Kuczmarski
Culture and Values
Will Towns
Social Impact
Kris Hammond
Leverage AI
Harry Kraemer
Leadership
Program experience
Mastering Innovation Skills in 6 Months
A 6-Month Journey of Innovation Excellence Powered by 6 One-Day Sessions and
Supplemented with Experiential Learning, Professional Networking and
Personalized Mentorship.
Getting Embedded Into
Chicago Innovation Ecosystem
Customized Training
& Experiential Learning
Mentoring
& Coaching
Panels with Chicago Innovation Winners
Group Activities, Field Trips
& Discussions
Dinners, Speakers
& Cocktail Receptions
Chicago Innovation
Events
Next Cohort Starts
July 21st, 2026
Program Length
6 Months
Live In-Person Classes
1 Full Day per Month
CAPSTONE Project
Bringing Innovation Into Your Organization
A customized innovation project for your organization, led by your Fellow and supported by two innovation experts:Â
1) Kellogg Faculty Advisor
2) Chicago Innovation Ecosystem Coach
Capstone Project Examples
Characteristics of an ideal participant
Benefits to Organizations
Apply Learnings to Your Own Organization
“I valued the breadth of topics covered. The practical element made all of the content we’ve covered easier to apply in a thoughtful way at my own organization.”
—Program Participant,
2026 Cohort
Supercharge Existing Innovation Initiatives
“This program has taught me new frameworks that give shape to my existing intuition. Taken together, they have improved my overall understanding of innovation through a practical lens.”
—Program Participant,
2026 Cohort
Advance and Retain a High-Potential Leader
“I feel more confident in my ability to innovate in collaboration with others and accelerate innovation due to my experience in the Chicago Innovation Fellows program.”
—Program Participant,
2026 Cohort
Gain New Insights for Your Entire Team
“What I’ve learned will benefit everyone on my team because I can bring new insights to all the people I work with at my company.”
—Program Participant,
2025 Cohort
Learn from Top Innovation Thought Leaders
“Chicago Innovation gave us access to all the key players in Chicago’s innovation ecosystem, and Kellogg provided us with the latest research and thinking about innovation.”
—Program Participant,
2025 Cohort
Connect Your Organization to the Innovation Ecosystem
“This program opened my eyes to a much larger local innovation ecosystem that I found to be very inspiring.”
—Program Participant,
2025 Cohort
Advance and Retain a High Potential Leader
“The Fellows program was a masterclass in cross-sector brilliance — I’d recommend it to any leader looking to grow, stretch, and connect in powerful ways.”
—Program Participant,
2025 Cohort
Fellows receive a certificate from
Kellogg and Chicago Innovation upon completion
Examples of Past Participating Organizations
Have questions about the program?