Build your next thing

A program for experienced leaders in transition to launch their next big idea.

Distinguished Innovation Fellows

As the population ages, there is an expanding pool of successful executives and professionals in the second stage of their career who want to become social innovators in their next act as they live longer.

The Distinguished Innovation Fellows program provides these individuals the opportunity to learn, develop, prototype and launch their ideas to improve the world in a supportive and innovative learning environment.

Supportive infrastructure to incubate ideas

All fellows enroll in Arizona State University courses on social impact and design thinking, developed and offered in collaboration with relevant ASU units

World-class guidance and support

ASU staff sheperd fellows through the process, seeing to their practical needs. Fellows are also paired with faculty who serve as thought partners and student research assistants as they develop and plan their ideas.

  • Learning

  • Discovery

  • Practical Output

Meet our team

  • Helen Hayes

    Program Director

  • Emma Houston

    Senior Program Coordinator

  • Ehsan Zaffar

    Executive Director

  • Robert Pozen

    Senior Advisor

  • Dr. Aaron Guest

    DIF Faculty

  • Dr. Sven Ortel

    DIF Faculty