Rachel Dzombak

Rachel Dzombak is the Distinguished Service Professor of Design and Innovation and Senior Innovation Advisor at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. She also holds teaching roles in the Human-Computer Interaction Institute, Tepper School of Business, and College of Engineering. Her work focuses on AI ethics, innovation strategy, and digital transformation, with an emphasis on responsible AI adoption in public and private sectors.

Dr. Dzombak earned her PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. She holds a BS in Bioengineering from Penn State University.

Her research spans AI governance, circular systems, and sustainable engineering, with notable contributions to design thinking, technology policy, and social entrepreneurship. She founded Outcome x Design, a consultancy advising organizations on AI adoption and innovation processes. Previously, she led digital transformation initiatives at CMU’s Software Engineering Institute and contributed to Berkeley’s Master’s in Development Engineering program.

Her articles and engagements emphasize ethical AI practices, systemic accountability, and bridging technology with societal needs. Collaborations include the DoD’s National Security Innovation Network and projects in Kenya’s healthcare sector. Dzombak’s teaching and advisory work aim to foster innovation that addresses global challenges while prioritizing human and environmental well-being.