Michael Ventura

CatalystU Thought Leader  |  Website

Michael Ventura is an accomplished leader, practitioner, and educator. As the founder of strategy and design consultancy Sub Rosa, he's advised influential organizations from the ACLU, Goldman Sachs, Google, Microsoft, and Nike to well-respected institutions such as The United Nations and the Obama-Biden Administration. Alongside this work, Michael leads a private practice serving individuals seeking support and mentorship. His book, Applied Empathy (Simon & Schuster 2018) explores the intersectionality of these two worlds (business and personal development) through the practice of empathy for the self, and for others. 

He has served as a board member and advisor to a variety of organizations including Behance, The Burning Man Project, The Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, and the United Nations' Tribal Link Foundation. He is a visiting lecturer at institutions such as Princeton University and the United States Military Academy at West Point. An ardent steward of personal and professional development, Michael is frequently engaged as an advisor to leaders, teams, and corporate boards at moments of transformation and change.