Future by design

The biggest challenges businesses and society face are only becoming more complex. At IDEO, we've always believed that design is the best method for taking on our most intractable problems. As challenges in technology, business, culture and climate grow faster than ever, we're doubling down on design and human creativity to move us forward. To make those more courageous futures a reality, we'll need to connect, collaborate, and create in entirely new ways.

To lead us into this new era, we’re excited to announce a reunion. The return of one of IDEO’s most experienced, cross-disciplinary, and empathetic leaders.

Starting in June 2025, we will welcome alumnus Mike Peng back to IDEO as CEO.

Watch: Mike talks about creativity, collaboration, and why he’s excited about IDEO right now.

“In Mike, we’ve found a leader whose brain, heart, courage, curiosity and design mastery make him the ideal match for IDEO’s evolving ambitions and an exceptional fit as the next Chief Executive Officer. His return represents a reconnection with IDEO’s roots and a launchpad for its future. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Mike's full bio

Michael Peng is a significant figure in the fields of design, innovation, and venture development. He is known for his work at global design company IDEO and at Moon Creative Lab, a venture studio established by global trading and investment company Mitsui & Co.

His academic foundation in cognitive science from University of California, Berkeley provided an early indication of his interest in understanding the complexities of human thought and behavior—a core tenet that would underpin his design philosophy.

Mike’s career includes a period at IDEO (2006-2020) where he was instrumental in expanding the company’s growth, the influence of human-centered design, and the reach of its impact. During his tenure, he worked with a diverse range of Fortune 100 clients; fostered multicultural team collaboration; and helped establish the Design Research discipline in the New York office. In 2011, he helped found IDEO’s presence in Tokyo and led the studio for over 9 years. He also co-founded D4V (Design for Ventures), Japan's pioneering venture capital firm for early-stage startups. Mike became a Partner in 2017 and joined the IDEO.org Board in 2020, a role he continues to hold. 

As Chief Creative Officer at Moon Creative Lab, Mike sets the creative vision and works across the entire lifecycle of ventures built at the Lab, from ideation and development to the launch of market-ready products and services. He mentors teams to leverage the power of design and its application to create meaningful user value and to scale business outcomes. Recognizing the importance of storytelling for catalyzing successful ventures and transformative growth, Mike launched Moon Media in 2022, an initiative that uses films to illuminate inspiring stories of people and places at the intersection of creativity and entrepreneurship. His first short documentary film, KAMIYAMA, focused on a small town in Japan, garnered official selection at multiple international film festivals.

A committed educator, Mike has taught at Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) and New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He holds visiting lecturer positions at esteemed institutions including The University of Tokyo, Keio University, Kyushu University, and has led an online course on IDEO U. He is also an accomplished tennis player, an avid hip hop dancer, and an engaged globe-trotter who delights in curating the perfect recommendation list and finds solace in British baking shows.