Institute for Human Centered Design Reviews

The director is unpredictable and seemingly unaccountable, and plans change on a (sometimes) hourly basis. The pay is low and there are meager operational resources. Despite this they are resistant to finding grants to provide funding for projects, instead relying on consulting contracts. The lack of transparency around money raises questions about their finances and long-term sustainability. For a mission-driven non-profit, there is a notable lack of enthusiasm for collaborating with or deferring to other orgs with more experience in a particular domain. In general, there is a preference to say, "We did this here", instead of, "We got this done". For me, this reinforced the feeling of financial insecurity surrounding funding. The cubes are far from ergonomic, a glaring omission for an organization that focuses on people, design, and disability.

The management approach is highly problematic, characterized by micromanagement and passive-aggressiveness. Success seems contingent upon proactive involvement in projects and networking. Unfortunately, the Executive Director tends to belittle and speak unfavorably about others. Trust in HR is questionable. Compensation is insufficient, and there's resistance to innovative ideas and workflow enhancements. The organizational structure appears intentionally fragmented to keep control within upper management.