Career Timeline
Step into the history of Jeff DeGraff’s prolific career
The purpose of this page is to provide clear and consistent career timeline and evolution of Jeff DeGraff’s contributions and involvement
Jeff DeGraff
Career Timeline
Jeff DeGraff – 1980s Career Timeline: Foundations of Innovation
Bachelor of Science, Western Michigan University
Earned B.S. in Communication Arts and Sciences with a focus on semiotics and media theory. Began integrating visual perception and communication into emerging theories of creativity.
Alice Lloyd Scholar & Instructor, University of Michigan Pilot Program
Selected as an Alice Lloyd Scholar and served as an instructor in Michigan’s interdisciplinary Pilot Program, noted for progressive, student-centered pedagogy.
Graduate Assistant to Rudolf Arnheim
Assisted the legendary art theorist Rudolf Arnheim in teaching Art and Visual Perception, developing a lifelong foundation in Gestalt theory and the cognitive dimensions of creativity.
Master of Arts, University of Michigan
Completed M.A. in Communication Studies emphasizing inquiry and learning systems that bridge the arts and sciences.
Ph.D. in Educational Technology, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Dissertation integrated systems theory, creativity, and educational innovation, establishing the conceptual foundation for his later work on the Competing Values Framework and Innovation Code.
Vice President, Domino’s Pizza Distribution Corp.
Directed strategic communications and internal innovation initiatives during Domino’s period of explosive growth. Earned the informal title “Dean of Innovation” for pioneering scalable creativity practices and leadership development models.
Advisor to Apple Computer
Served as advisor on Applied Integrated Systems, an early multimedia education initiative and precursor to iTunes. Helped shape the fusion of technology, learning, and design thinking in the emerging digital age.
Jeff DeGraff – 1990s Career Timeline: Innovator in Academia and Applied Research
Clinical Professor, Ross School of Business
Appointed Clinical Professor of Management and Organizations at the University of Michigan. Began teaching Managing Creativity (MO 745) and Leading Change (MO 603) to MBAs and Executives.
Founded Competing Values, LLC
Launched Competing Values, LLC, a consulting firm applying academic models to real-world innovation challenges in Fortune 500 firms, healthcare systems, and government.
Founding Faculty – MAP Program
Played a leading role in creating the Multidisciplinary Action Projects (MAP) initiative at Ross, combining action-based learning with innovation consulting for global corporations.
Board of Advisors, UM School of Library & Information Science
Appointed to the Board of Advisors, helping bridge innovation methods with information systems and emerging digital tools.
Advisor to UM President’s Office
Consulted with the Office of the President to develop university-wide innovation strategies, including advising the Chief Information Officer on academic–corporate partnerships.
Aspen Institute Fellow – “Tomorrow’s Corporation”
Selected as a Fellow of the Aspen Institute think tank. Designed and led a CEO/professor symposium titled “How Far to Ithaca,” using the metaphor of Odysseus to explore futures thinking.
Visiting Professor, Helsinki Graduate School of Economics
Taught innovation leadership and organizational change as a Visiting Professor at what is now part of Aalto University. Introduced the Competing Values Framework to European academic circles.
CSC Index – Vanguard Group
Appointed to the Vanguard Group, an elite think tank of industry leaders and management theorists convened by CSC Index.
Advisor, NYU Medical Center Dean’s Office
Led a strategic innovation partnership that helped design a large-scale reengineering process, later replicated across several U.S. academic medical centers.
Executive Education Pioneer
Designed, developed, and delivered custom executive programs for major clients including GE, Pfizer, and Reuters, establishing Michigan Ross as a leader in innovation education.
Early Development of the Innovation Genome
Began modeling the Innovation Genome—a dynamic adaptation of the Competing Values Framework (CVF)—for assessing and shaping innovation culture in complex organizations.
Theme: Building the Innovation Ecosystem and Public Voice
Launched Creativity and Innovation in Business (MO455/463)
Flagship undergraduate course at Ross School of Business. Evolved into Creativity at Work (MO463), first BBA capstone.
Global Executive Education Expansion
Designed and delivered innovation/change leadership programs for Fortune 100s in Europe, Asia, and North America; developed early Innovation Genome tools.
Led Innovation Initiatives for Reuters & Pfizer
Customized exec ed and innovation strategy programs integrating CVF and team models.
Creativity at Work published
Co-authored with Katherine Lawrence. Widely used in business schools and executive programs.
Expanded Exec Ed Portfolio
Designed and delivered custom programs for GE, Dow, and Marriott through Michigan Executive Education.
Consultant to the Federal Reserve Bank
Advised the Federal Reserve Bank on how to establish high growth innovation ecosystems.
Founded Innovatrium
Created joint venture with Haworth: a physical and intellectual innovation lab near Ross, focused on research, transformation, and experiential learning.
Innovation Culture Research
Refined Competing Values Framework for strategic innovation and leadership development.
Launched Public Media Programming
Became regular contributor to PBS and NPR, bringing innovation to mainstream audiences.
Developed Early Innovation Index Tools
Created foundational tools for what would become the Innovation Genome and TalentForge.
Leading Innovation published
Co-authored with Shawn Quinn. Introduced “growth engine” model for organizational innovation.
Competing Values Leadership published
Co-authored with Quinn, Cameron, and Thakor. Merged CVF with leadership development frameworks.
Partnered with American Medical Association
Developed innovation curriculum for U.S. physicians focused on healthcare transformation.
Named Original LinkedIn Influencer
Selected as one of the first 100 global thought leaders on LinkedIn platform.
Created MO463: Creativity at Work
Launched as the first capstone for BBA seniors at Ross; integrated design thinking, innovation labs, and real-world applications.
Launched USAF Innovation Collaboration
Began enduring partnership with U.S. Air Force, leading to AFWERX and NATO collaborations.
Making Innovation Work chapter in Pfeiffer Annual
Framework on moving from ideation to execution; adopted widely in L&D and corporate training.
Expanded Innovatrium Footprint
Strengthened Innovatrium’s role as innovation hub for students, clients, and partners near Ross.
Jeff DeGraff – 2010s Career Timeline: Public Scholar of Innovation
Contributor, Oxford Handbook of Positive Organizational Scholarship
Authored chapter “Innovativeness as Positive Deviance,” bridging CVF with positive organizational scholarship.
Contributor to Psychology Today, Inc., Big Think
Ongoing writing on innovation, creativity, and culture, reaching global professional and public audiences.
Innovation You published, and national PBS broadcast program.
Published by Ballantine Books, this book translated innovation principles into personal development strategies and was featured in national media and PBS.
State of the Economy Speech – Michigan
Delivered the State of Michigan State of the Economy speech, focusing on building a statewide innovation ecosystem across education, government, and business sectors.
Keynote – Mackinac Policy Conference
Delivered keynote on Michigan’s innovation culture, competencies, and communities to top leaders in government and business at Michigan’s premier policy conference.
Developed 1st Ross School of Business Capstone Course – Creativity at Work
Developed and taught the first capstone course at Ross School of Business, Creativity at Work, establishing a new standard for integrating innovation education into the BBA curriculum.
Keynote – TED-MED
Moderated “Innovating from the Outside In” at TED-MED, Kennedy Center, supporting rollout of the Affordable Care Act. Included thought leaders in health innovation.
NPR Segment – The Next Idea
Co-created and contributed to “The Next Idea,” an NPR segment on Michigan Radio, featuring breakthrough thinkers and grassroots innovators transforming the region.
International Expansion
Scaled programs to NATO, Singapore RSAF, and Polish Defense Forces, with the Innovation Code serving as a cross-cultural framework for collaboration and adaptability.
Educator and Speaker
Continued teaching Creativity at Work (MO463) and Managing Change (MO414) at Ross. Delivered keynotes worldwide, advising Fortune 100, government ministries, and military leaders.
Jeff DeGraff – 2020s Career Timeline: Innovation as a Global Movement
The Creative Mindset published
Co-authored with Staney DeGraff. Introduced six essential skills for developing innovation talent at all levels. Widely adopted in executive education and government innovation labs.
Chief of the Air Force Leadership Seminar
Selected to lead a highly selective seminar for U.S. Air Force Fellows. Trained rising military leaders in adaptive innovation, cross-cultural agility, and change readiness.
Expanded Global Defense Programs
Scaled Project Mercury, AIM HI, and other innovation frameworks across U.S. Air Force, NATO, Singapore, and Poland, aligning with national security goals and allied coordination.
Władysław Eugeniusz Sikorski Medal
Awarded by the Polish Armed Forces for contributions to defense innovation leadership and allied collaboration.
Awarded SBIR I (USAF) – TalentForge
Developed AI-powered innovation team formation assessment under the Small Business Innovation Research program with the USAF Digital Transformation Office.
The Art of Change published
Transformative book on paradox and innovation, applying the Paradox Mindset Cycle to change management. Published by Berrett-Koehler. Became core reading for organizational leadership.
Creativizing publishing deal with Wiley.
Forthcoming book that extends DeGraff’s school of thought: on systems of meaning in change.
Expanding School of Thought
Developing and systematizing a complete Innovation Code cosmology: quadrant archetypes, paradox cycle, dynamic systems, and creativity as spiritual engagement.
Advisor to High-Level Leadership
Continues to advise senior leaders across military, academic, and industry sectors. Leads the Intellectual Edge Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to defense innovation ecosystems.