Darrel Rhea is an internationally recognized executive strategist with more than 40 years of global experience in business strategy, innovation, human-centered design, customer insight, and AI-enabled transformation. He has served as CEO of both public and private companies, board chair and director - with experience in audit and compensation committees and board-level strategy and risk governance - and trusted advisor to senior leaders of many of the world’s most influential organizations.

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Across his career, Darrel has led large-scale strategy and innovation programs for global enterprises including Microsoft, Apple, HP, Intel, AT&T, Autodesk, Motorola, Samsung, Sony, Nokia, Adobe, Nike, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Citibank, Bank of America, Visa International, Mastercard, Herman Miller, Steelcase, 3M, and United Airlines, personally overseeing thousands of engagements that shaped products, brands, and customer experiences used by millions worldwide. Many of these relationships have spanned years and even decades, reflecting a rare ability to earn enduring trust at the C-suite, board, and divisional leadership levels across industries ranging from technology and financial services to healthcare, consumer goods, retail, and transportation.

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As Founder of Rhea Insight, he works with executive teams to create strategic clarity, align organizations around bold choices, and translate insight into decisive action. Earlier, as CEO of Cheskin Added Value (now Kantar Consulting), he guided more than $1 billion in research and strategy consulting for Fortune 500 clients. He is co-author of Making Meaning: How Successful Businesses Build Meaningful Customer Experiences.

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A pioneer in design management and innovation leadership, Darrel served as Vice Chairman of the Design Management Institute and is a frequent keynote speaker for leading global forums including the World Economic Forum, Forbes CEO Conference, DMI, AIGA, IDSA, PDMA, and ACM SIGCHI. He has lectured at MIT Sloan, Harvard Business School, Stanford, Berkeley Haas, Northwestern Kellogg, Carnegie Mellon, and many other top institutions.

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