Reflection of Jeanne Liedtka's contributions to our field
Jeanne Liedtka retired from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Administration in Fall 2024, where she taught for 35 years. She did seminal work in the field of design thinking and its application to business challenges. This includes a legacy of eight successful business books, dozens of articles … plus scores of collaborators and literally thousands of students who, through Jeanne’s teaching, were able to see new possibilities, and to run experiments to make them real.
Tim Ogilvie reflects …
Jeanne Liedtka invited me to Charlottesville in 2007 to collaborate in teaching design thinking with her. Only a few of us were using that term back then, and I wasn’t sure if I liked it – but I knew I liked Jeanne. Her piercing intellect is matched by relentless curiosity. She seems to distrust large organizations but reveres the practicing manager. But what I love the most is her gift for collaboration. I mean, just look at her catalog of publications: she’s got more happy collaborators than Quincy Jones!
As a teaching partner, she lifted me up with grace and patience. Not to her level (let’s be realistic) but to a point where I could share a classroom with her. As a writing partner, that was easier. I’m a natural mimic and quickly learned to write in her voice. Because that’s the voice that would go on to launch eight successful books, so why mess with success?
In addition to a clear, warm, encouraging writing voice, Jeanne never lost sight of who she was writing for. Whenever I would come up with an amazing tool or template for our books, Jeanne would remind me, “This is for the practicing manager, not your super-designer friends. It has to be usable by a poly sci major or a chemical engineer on the first try.”
Working with her made me better and was my passport into a larger community I now consider home. Plus it led to an enduring friendship. Jeanne, I can only hope to pay it forward.
– Tim Ogilvie is a Partner at Peer Insight and co-author with Jeanne Liedtka of two books: Designing for Growth (2011) and The Designing for Growth Field Book (2014, 2019).
Karen Petty Hold reflects …
(from LinkedIn, 12/11/2024)
Last night was one for the books! 🎉 Natalie Foley, Tim Foley and I had the absolute privilege of co-hosting a retirement party for our incredible co-author, Jeanne Liedtka. And what made it even more special was sharing the moment with three other co-authors of hers — an inspiring testament to a career filled with collaboration, innovation, and impact.
Jeanne has not just written books; she’s written chapters in so many of our lives. From transforming ideas into action (like how I did that - IYKYK) to mentoring countless individuals (myself included!), she’s been a force of nature in every sense.
Pictured left to right:
Tim Ogilvie - co-author, Designing for Growth and The Designing for Growth Field Book
Natalie Foley - co-author, The Experimentation Field Book
Randy Salzman - co-author, Designing for the Greater Good
Jeanne Liedtka - The Guest of Honor (lead author of all the books mentioned)
Karen Petty Hold - co-author, Experiencing Design - The Innovator's Journey
Jim Mathews - co-author, The Catalyst
As we raised our glasses, swapped stories, and reflected on her legacy, one thing became clear: Jeanne has not only left an indelible mark on the world of design thinking, but also on the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her.
Cheers to you, Jeanne, for a career of brilliance, a retirement full of new adventures, and the lifelong friendships you’ve created along the way. Here’s to your next chapter—because if there’s one thing we know, it’s going to be extraordinary.
– Karen Petty Hold is the Founder of Experience Labs and the Director of DT:DC, the design thinking hub of the DC region. She is co-author with Jeanne Liedtka of Experiencing Design: The Innovator’s Journey.
Books by Jeanne Liedtka
The Experimentation Field Book
Jeanne Liedtka, Elizabeth Chen, Natalie Foley, David Kester
Columbia University Press, 2024
The Physics of Business Growth: Mindsets, System, and Processes
Edward Hess, Jeanne Liedtka
Stanford Briefs, 2023
Experiencing Design – The Innovator’s Journey
Jeanne Liedkta, Karen Hold, Jessica Eldridge
Columbia University Press, 2021
Design Thinking for the Greater Good
Jeanne Liedkta, Randy Salzman, Daisy Azer
Columbia University Press, 2017
The Designing for Growth Field Book
Jeanne Liedkta, Tim Ogilvie, Rachel Brozenske
Columbia University Press, 2014, 2019 (2nd edition)
Solving Problems with Design Thinking: Ten Stories of What Works
Jeanne Liedkta, Andrew King, Kevin Bennett
Columbia University Press, 2013
Designing for Growth: A Design Thinking Tool Kit for Managers
Jeanne Liedkta, Tim Ogilvie
Columbia University Press, 2011
The Catalyst
Jeanne Liedkta, Robert Rosen, Robert Wiltbank
Crown Business, 2009
