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

Rita Lab

Rita Lab is a tech and design community I founded which stems from Rita Creative and Inclusion Design Lab.

2021 – Current

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

HuCapital

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

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.

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.

Mayer Brown

Design Strategist, 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