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Peter Merholz

Design leadership consultant; co-founder of Adaptive Path, co-author of 'Org Design for Design Orgs,' co-host of Finding Our Way

ExecutiveLeads from the backOld schoolOrgSystemsAI
He is moving design orgs through the AI transition with an explicitly people-protecting thesis — using AI to elevate discernment and reskill teams rather than thin them.

Signature win. Co-founded Adaptive Path and wrote the definitive book on building in-house design teams, shaping how a generation of design organizations are structured and led.

The case

editorial · CCBEI · with sources
CraftCo-founded Adaptive Path, the premier UX consultancy of its era; decades of holding the bar for human-centered design judgment over surface polish.8
CommunicationCoined the word 'blog,' co-authors 'Org Design for Design Orgs,' writes The Merholz Agenda newsletter, and co-hosts Finding Our Way podcast — among the most legible voices in the field.9
BusinessBuilt and led design orgs at Groupon, OpenTable, Capital One, Snagajob, and Kaiser Permanente; advises NYT, JPMorgan, Target on making design matter to outcomes.8
EducationHis entire practice is growing design leaders — masterclasses ('Elevating Your Design Team'), the org-design book, and AI-era reskilling framing centered on protecting and developing people.9
InnovationFrames AI as a vehicle to elevate teams via discernment and reskilling, not headcount cuts — clearly elevate-not-hollow; less hands-on building, more org-transition leadership.7

Endorsed by peers

illustrative · opens with verified accounts
OverallI'd work for them95
CraftRaised my craft bar92
CommunicationMade the case for design104
BusinessMade design matter to the business92
EducationTaught me something I still use104
InnovationShowed me a new way to work81

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

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