CEO & Founder, Nova Design
Jeanette Numbers is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Nova Design, leading a dedicated team committed to delivering innovation and inspiration globally. Nova Design, a company established more than a decade ago, is focused on providing end-to-end strategic design and engineering solutions for organizations seeking to develop tech-based connected products and experiences.
Over the years, Nova has grown into a 15-member team with two locations and a strong network of collaborators in design and engineering. Prior to founding Nova, Ms. Numbers worked both in corporate and consulting for notable companies such as Fitch, Essential, Eleven, Altitude, Continuum, Rubbermaid, and Fisher-Price.
With over 30 years of deep domain expertise, her primary areas of focus include connected devices for healthcare and women's health. She’s particularly passionate about impact work and designing experiences that change the lives of people and the planet, especially those who have been largely ignored by the design community.
Ms. Numbers’ impressive portfolio spans a multitude of global brands across diverse industries. Her dedication to excellence has led to recognition from peers and the acquisition of numerous patents for groundbreaking product innovations. She has received multiple IDSA Awards and was chosen by IDSA as Best in Show for her capstone project at her alma mater, University of Cincinnati, DAAP.
Notable clients she has had the privilege to work with include Nissan, BMW, Bose, Dell, Lenovo, Iomega, Targus, Nike, Tampax, Trojan, Diva, Kimberly Clark, 3M, CVS, JBL, Harman, Samsung, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and the US Air Force. Her products have not only generated substantial revenue for her clients but have also found a prominent presence in major retail outlets such as the Apple Store, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Costco.
In addition to her role at Nova, Jeanette proudly serves as Adjunct Faculty at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she imparts knowledge on usability and design for commercialization. Her previous experience includes a role as Adjunct Faculty at the Wentworth Institute of Technology, where she taught Design Strategy and Visualization.
Jeanette is also a prominent member of the New England tech and startup community. She is a member of CHIEF, a network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders, Harvard Innovation Lab, RIBio, and RIOT (an organization empowering women and girls through music). She is a frequent speaker at national and international events (including IDSA) and a frequent lecturer on design and design management at MIT. When she is not working, she can be found spending time with her husband and two teenagers, ideally surfing the waves at the Rhode Island seashore.
Statement of Candidacy
Design is not just a profession; it’s a way of life for me. From a young age, I have been captivated by the power of design to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, to evoke emotions, and to solve complex problems in elegant ways. My path to ID came from the human side, I was fascinated by objects and the way humans interacted with them and adapted them for their needs. I believe this anthropological mindset is the true future of our profession. Creating beautiful objects is fun and rewarding but the real power of ID is the impact objects and experiences make in the lives of people and planet.
It’s this profound human connection with design that fuels me to keep pushing and mentoring the next generation. I see many young designers enter the field with that same passion, only to get burned out or turned off by the industry and status quo. As Sections Director on the Board of Directors aim to bring change to our industry, prepare it for the future, and make it stronger than ever.
Design is not a solitary pursuit; it thrives in a vibrant community. I am dedicated to fostering a sense of community among designers within our organization and beyond. I envision organizing events, conferences, and networking opportunities that bring together design enthusiasts, professionals, and students. Together, we can create a supportive ecosystem that nurtures creativity and innovation. I run many panels and events with 60+ speakers in my current role as CEO + Founder at Nova and will leverage that organizational experience to guide the Northeast Chapters of IDSA to create holistic strategies and work together to create a stronger full offering. The Northeast has several strong individual chapters and if brought together have far greater potential.
In conclusion, my love for design runs deep, and I am driven by a strong desire to contribute to our organization’s growth and success as a board member. Design is not just a career for me; it’s a calling, a passion that informs every aspect of my life. I am excited about the prospect of serving on the board, where I can combine my passion for design with my commitment to positive change, continuous learning, collaboration, education, and community engagement. Together, we can elevate the role of design and IDSA and make a lasting impact on our community and the world.
Providence Chapter Chair
Designer in Sheep’s Clothing
We are at the forefront of a creative revolution, but why does it not feel that way for so many designers? As independent design firms slowly get consumed by corporations, designers have to fight for a seat at the table. Jeanette will expose the reality that many designers face and share her advice for advocating for design thinking.
