Inspiring creative people
As a leader, I am committed to creating a collaborative, inclusive team culture built on trust, transparency, and mutual respect. I believe in investing in my team’s growth—both individually and collectively—through mentorship, leadership development, and skills-building that prepare designers to thrive in their current roles and take on future leadership opportunities. Many of the designers I’ve coached have grown into trusted leaders and influential voices within the broader design community.
I prioritize psychological safety by being open, approachable, and receptive to feedback while consistently demonstrating my commitment to each person’s success. I create an environment where designers feel valued for their unique strengths, supported in their growth, and challenged to stretch their skills in meaningful ways.
By recognizing and amplifying individual strengths, I help team members align their passions with business priorities, ensuring they grow in confidence while contributing to measurable outcomes. My focus on fostering empathy, diversity of thought, and a culture of innovation has enabled my teams to deliver impactful results that resonate across the organization and position design as a trusted driver of transformation.
What others have said
Marc Wisniewski
Head of Design, IBM
“Pivotal in developing top designers”
I’ve had the pleasure of working with George for six years, and have been consistently impressed by his exceptional leadership skills and dedication to his team. As a design manager, George played a pivotal role in developing some of our most talented designers—many of them leads in key design craft areas like brand, illustration and motion. His hands-on mentorship and support created a nurturing environment where his team members could thrive and grow.
In addition to his leadership and onboarding roles, George also made significant contributions to our most high-profile design portfolio where he served as a Portfolio Manager for our CIO. His ability to coordinate complex design projects and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams across that portfolio was invaluable.
Andy Yu
Product Designer, IBM
“Fosters collaboration, honesty, and trust”
Empathy is an outstanding quality of George. He genuinely cares about each and every one of us, and wants to see us be the best versions of ourselves. He leads the team with a growth mindset, fostering an environment of collaboration, honesty, and trust among us. Moreover, his support of transparency and open dialogue further strengthens that sense of trust among us. George goes above and beyond to ensure that we are well equipped to succeed in our careers by addressing our needs, both collectively as a team and individually as a professional.
Arin Clement
Product Design Lead, IBM
“Authentic leader in every way”
George is the best manager that I’ve ever had. He is the person that I look to when I need advice because he’s been a designer and researcher and gets the context. He is the person who will help find innovative solutions to whatever problems come up because he is incredibly intelligent and immensely creative. He is a wonderful person who genuinely cares for the success of each teammate he oversees, and his leadership style is authentic in every way.
Samantha Pezzello
Product Designer, IBM
“Promotes a growth mindset culture”
George always promotes a culture of having a growth mindset and encourages us to continually improve our skills and progress within our careers. He advocates for his team members and works to make sure that we are all on projects that will help us achieve our goals and grow as designers, while being happy with what we’re doing. His transparency and overall outgoing/positive attitude are always the refreshing “breath of fresh air” you need in any office. No matter the situation, George is the person you want to have by your side. I am truly grateful to have him as my manager. He is the best part about IBM!
Ali Cuthbertson
Product Design Lead, IBM
“Encourages innovation and improvement”
As a leader, George is an exemplary role model. His visionary outlook, combined with strong communication skills, enables him to inspire and guide teams toward achieving ambitious goals. George leads by example and fosters a culture of collaboration, transparency, and accountability. He actively listens to team members, values their input, and empowers them to contribute their unique perspectives and ideas. George's leadership style instills confidence, motivates individuals to perform at their best, and creates an environment that encourages innovation and continuous improvement.
John Rosato
HR Platforms Technical Lead, IBM
“Transformational Leadership & Mentorship”
I have had the privilege of working alongside George for several years, and I wholeheartedly recommend him for his exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit. Here’s why:George is an exemplary design manager and a servant leader who prioritizes empowering his team. Through hands-on mentorship, he has cultivated a nurturing environment where designers thrive. His ability to identify and develop talent has been pivotal in shaping some of our organization’s most skilled UX professionals. Rather than micromanaging, George leads by example, fostering autonomy and growth.
Beyond his leadership, George is a highly skilled UX practitioner. His deep technical knowledge and strategic vision have driven significant contributions to high-impact projects, including the IBM CIO portfolio onboarding initiative and other mission-critical design portfolios. He consistently delivers innovative solutions that balance user needs with business goals.