John is a life-long digital entrepreneur and international thought-leader in User Experience and Human-Centered Design. After successfully exiting from a founding role in a LA-based video game marketing firm at the end of 2006, he came to Chicago to start ÄKTA. John is an active angel investor in the Chicago start-up community, and was recently recognized as one of Crain's 40 Under 40. He founded and runs Digital Hope, a not-for-profit charitable organization that uses the power of crowd-funding via social media to support underfunded international NGOs. You can find him on the speaking circuit (including TEDx) promoting the art and science of User Experience. Outside of work, he is an avid world traveler (aiming for 50 countries & all 7 continents before age 30), beach volleyball junkie, and photographer.