Leah Kandel
About Leah Kandel
Leah Kandel is a Senior Design Lead in Design Research Operations at IDEO, where she has worked since 2022. With a background in art and education, she focuses on developing ethical research practices and participant recruitment strategies.
Current Role at IDEO
Leah Kandel serves as the Senior Design Lead for Design Research Operations at IDEO, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she collaborates closely with project teams to develop research and participant recruitment strategies. Kandel focuses on ensuring that design research is conducted ethically and with a human-centered approach. Her responsibilities include developing systems and processes that enhance the effectiveness of design research initiatives.
Previous Experience at IDEO
Leah Kandel has held multiple roles at IDEO. She worked as a Senior Design Research Operations Specialist from 2020 to 2021 and as a Design Research Operations Lead from 2021 to 2022. During her time at IDEO, she contributed to various projects by utilizing her expertise in design research operations and participant engagement strategies.
Educational Background
Leah Kandel has an extensive educational background in the arts and social impact. She studied Painting and Art Education at Miami University, earning a BFA and BS from 2006 to 2010. She furthered her studies at The Ohio State University in Art History and Film, participating in summer courses since 2009. In 2019, she completed an Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania, enhancing her skills in strategic thinking and social impact.
Professional Experience in the Arts
Kandel has a diverse background in the arts sector. She worked as a Program Manager at California College of the Arts from 2017 to 2019 and as the Manager of Tours and Visitor Learning Programs at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, she served as an Education Assistant at the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston from 2010 to 2014 and briefly at the Wexner Center for the Arts in 2010. These roles contributed to her understanding of educational programming and visitor engagement.
Personal Interests
Outside of her professional work, Leah Kandel enjoys running and exploring trails in San Francisco with her dog, Samwise. Her personal interests reflect her appreciation for nature and physical activity, which complement her creative background in the arts.