Back to the LeaderboardThe Design Leadership Index

Matt MacQueen

VP, Product & Design at JSTOR/ITHAKA; self-described product design leader and AI builder

ExecutiveLeads from the middleHybrid schoolAIProductSystems
An executive who is hands-on enough to call himself an AI builder and who moved a mission-driven research org through the GenAI transition in a way that elevates both users and his teams.

Signature win. Directed the search and recommendation redesign that grew JSTOR usage and shipped its GenAI research assistant, now serving 150,000+ users across 160+ countries.

The case

editorial · CCBEI · with sources
CraftBuilt Coursera's first product design + UX research + content practice and directed Moto X software experience; stewards JSTOR's Pharos design system as a quality bar.8
CommunicationTeaches product design at Michigan, writes on LinkedIn/Medium (Pharos, why-I-joined posts), featured in Design Disruptors; advisor on KP Design Council — makes design legible to leadership.7
BusinessGrew total platform usage via search redesign and recommendation engine; ties design directly to JSTOR's mission outcomes and platform growth as VP Product & Design.8
EducationBuilt and grew design/research practices from scratch at Coursera; taught at U-Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship; leads combined PM/UX/research teams at JSTOR.8
InnovationRedirected search team to ship JSTOR's GenAI research assistant (150k+ users, 160+ countries) — AI adoption that lifts a research mission and his teams, not a craft-shedding play.8

Endorsed by peers

illustrative · opens with verified accounts
OverallI'd work for them67
CraftRaised my craft bar68
CommunicationMade the case for design60
BusinessMade design matter to the business68
EducationTaught me something I still use68
InnovationShowed me a new way to work68

Verified peers only — one tap with LinkedIn. Names stay private; we show role and industry. Bars are illustrative until the participation backend is live.

Stories

first-hand · reviewed before publishing
No stories yet.