

Elevating Design and Scaling Expertise with Scott Zimmer
19 snips Oct 13, 2025
Scott Zimmer is a design and innovation leader who has transformed design in major enterprises like Capital One and Verizon. In a fascinating discussion, he shares insights on earning design credibility in skeptical organizations and the importance of empathy in design leadership. Scott also emphasizes the need for capturing expert knowledge so that mentorship can thrive even when experts leave. He explores how AI can enhance learning, detailing his startup's approach to scaling expert mentorship and bridging the gap between design and business.
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From Disney Artist To Design-Business Bridge
- Scott Zimmer started as an artist, worked his way into Disney marketing and Imagineering, then migrated into business and design roles.
- His business background helped him bridge design and leadership at Capital One and beyond.
Empathy Trumps An MBA For Design Leaders
- Empathy is the core skill design leaders need to speak business language, not an MBA.
- Understand business priorities and frame design contribution in terms leaders care about.
Vet Leadership Humility Before You Join
- Look for humility in leadership and a growth mindset before joining a company as a design leader.
- Avoid orgs where senior leadership has been static for decades and resists new ways of working.