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 last 45 years, 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, the Chicago Sun-Times and many more. He has also 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.
He is the chairman of the Chicago Innovation Board, a trustee on the Retirement Research Foundation Board, a board member of the Chicago Inventors Organization, and a member of the Economic Club of Chicago.