Human Centered Leadership

Karel has had a long career as a design executive, most recently as Global Vice President at IBM. He serves as Industry Professor in the McMaster University’s DeGroote Schools of Business and Medicine, hosts the Life Habits Podcast, serves on the Food for Climate League and PRAXXI Advisory Boards, and helps individuals with his career coaching practice. He recently co-founded the global nonprofit Habits for a Better World with filmmaker Carly Williams and serves as its president, leading 300 volunteers. The initiative addresses global challenges—such as the health of the planet and ourselves—through research-driven, design-inspired behavior change via social media reels, a documentary, in-person activations, and GenAI-powered tools and other supports. Karel previously co-founded and led other large global projects such as the COVID-19 Design Challenge with the World Design Organization and Design for America and the Future of Design Education Initiative alongside design visionary Don Norman.