Dr. Garret Westlake
Vice Provost for Innovation and Strategic Design, Virginia Commonwealth University
About
A trailblazer in innovation and human-centered design, Garret's career is a testament to resilience and creativity. Diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia as a child, he transformed his personal challenges into a lifelong mission to create greater access and opportunity through education and innovation. From founding startups to mentoring for accelerators, developing cutting-edge curriculum, and advising Fortune 500 companies, Garret's expertise spans the worlds of tech, academia, and entrepreneurship. His passion for innovation and tools like design thinking and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY fuels his work to positively impact the human experience. As a global speaker and advocate for experiential learning, Garret brings a unique perspective to the panel on how AI and innovation can empower communities and unlock new opportunities.