OPen

I'm a Tech & Innovation Strategist, Leader, and Educator. From digital screens to digital infrastructure, my perspective is rooted in the intersection of technology and the liberal arts.

SPECIALIZATIONS

Tech & Innovation Strategy

Team & Innovation Leadership

Team Management

Emerging Technology

Artificial Intelligence

Systems Thinking

Human-Centered Design

Inclusive Design & Accessibility

Education & Curriculum Design

Public Speaking

PASSIONS

Mission-Driven Work

Education Technology

Gov Tech

Civic Design

Future Tech

Future Careers

EDUCATION

Human Computer Interaction

Natural Language Processing

Bachelor of Science

CUNY BA

VOLUNTEER

Co.Lab

Mentor, 2021

ADPList

Mentor, 2020

UX Come Up

Founder, 2019 – 2020

Contact

michaelaco@proton.me

linkedin.com/in/mikeaco/

Featured Experiences and Roles

CUNY

Innovation Manager (Tech), 2026

Kingsborough Community College

Tech, AI, & Design Instructor, 2022 - Current (Part-Time, Contract)

Courses developed/taught: AI for Professionals, Intro to Artificial Intelligence & the Future of Work, Augmented Reality for UX Designers, and multiple UX courses.

HuCapital

Head of Innovation (Tech, AI, Design), 2024 - 2025

Created, hired, and now managing a cross-functional team of developers, data scientists, designers, and PMs building an AI-powered social media platform.

America on Tech

AI, Web Dev, Product Instructor, 2025 - Current (Part-Time, Contract)

Part of inaugural group of instructors selected to teach AoT’s first-ever AI curriculum during summer 2025 to NYC High School students. Taught a fall Web Development course. Currently teaching a Product course.

Mayer Brown

Tech & Design Strategy Consultant, 2024 - 2025 (Part-Time, Contract)

Worked cross-functionally on various firm-wide tech and design projects including a robust design system to improve product development efficiency for internal tech team and multiple AI solutions to increase internal firm productivity.

Heady

Director of Product Design, 2022 – 2024

Founded inaugural Design department, defining department strategy, operations, and long-term growth plan. This mainly included scaling the team from 1 to 15 multidisciplinary designers. I also led end-to-end Design Strategy and delivery across client projects.

NYC Tourism (f.k.a. NYC & Company)

Director of Product Design & Strategy, 2020 – 2021

From 2020 to 2021, my main focus at NYC Tourism was to support the City's recovery efforts. I led Product and UX strategy for all of NYC Tourism campaigns designed to support small businesses during the pandemic.

• Supported international marketing campaigns & city initiatives via product strategy
• Outlined product roadmap, oversaw Design processes, and provided design direction for all digital NYC Tourism projects
• Managed UX team and UX team hiring, as well as co-led Product Development team
• Worked with NYC leadership & other stakeholders to organize and prioritize strategy

Full Resume Available Upon Request