Instructor
Tom Heffner
Tom Heffner Enterprises LLC
Thomas Heffner is a leader in Design Thinking and works at the intersection of design, technology, and business. He uses Design Thinking to create transformative solutions for the complex and challenging problems facing our nation’s security (e.g. TANG Design Thinking). In addition, he teaches human centered design methods in academia (University of Maryland Academy of Innovation and Entrepreneurship & The Johns Hopkins University), government (US Navy & Howard County Public Schools), and non-profit settings (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory).
His work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review and the UK’s New Scientist. He is a contributing author to several books, including “Infusing Innovation into Organizations: A Systems Engineering Approach” and “Character Strengths Matter: How to Live a Full Life.” He also writes online articles for Positive Psychology News Daily, helping people use the principles of design to live a better life.
He often takes up the role of public speaker, giving presentations on Design and Well-Being at conferences around the world. He organizes workshops for engineers, HR professionals, military servicemen, and US government civilian employees.
Dennis O. Smith, Co-Founder Outpost Methods has over 20 years experience working in both the public and private sectors. Working in IT organizations, Big 4 firms and College Campuses, Dennis has learned that understanding what motivates people and what deters them are key to identifying how to address challenges facing both individuals and organizations. Over the last 7+ years, Dennis has worked on a variety of projects applying human centered design methods for civilian and military efforts. Additionally, he is experienced in establishing a framework for innovation, identifying opportunities to weave those practices into various dimensions of an organization.
Dennis O. Smith, Co-Founder Outpost Methods has over 20 years experience working in both the public and private sectors. Working in IT organizations, Big 4 firms and College Campuses, Dennis has learned that understanding what motivates people and what deters them are key to identifying how to address challenges facing both individuals and organizations. Over the last 7+ years, Dennis has worked on a variety of projects applying human centered design methods for civilian and military efforts. Additionally, he is experienced in establishing a framework for innovation, identifying opportunities to weave those practices into various dimensions of an organization.