John Lacey is a design strategist, systems thinker, and educator with more than 18 years of professional experience in communications, project management, and program development.

He holds a master’s degree in Design Management from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and brings deep expertise in human-centered design, systems thinking, and innovation pedagogy to his work across higher education, nonprofit, and public-sector settings.

At the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Lacey led the UT Grand Challenges Initiative for three years, guiding a statewide program focused on addressing complex challenges in education, rural community development, and addiction. He also co-created and co-led the UT Rural Disability Resource Network, a multi-year initiative to improve access to disability resources for families in rural Tennessee communities.

Lacey has more than eight years of experience teaching and facilitating design- and innovation-focused courses and workshops, including roles with SCAD and UT. His work emphasizes systems mapping, contextual research, creative problem solving, and strategic storytelling.

A certified trainer in systems thinking through Cornell University’s Cabrera Research Lab, Lacey is a three-time finalist for the University of Tennessee President’s Award for Bold and Impactful Work.