After 30 years with United Way for Southeastern Michigan, twelve as CEO, Michael Brennan decided to take a risk. He would follow a calling to put something new into the world through the launch of Civilla, a center for social innovation in Detroit. Mike sat down with the dean of IIT Institute of Design, Patrick Whitney to discuss social innovation and how we can use design to address civic issues in our cities.

During their conversation, Mike tells the story of user research around public transportation and how he and his team created a break-even-on-cost prototype to improve the experience for riders. He reflects on the impulse for taking giant steps when that alone isn't going to solve the system. It's the combination of the large scale leaps and the small grassroots steps aligned with the individual in the middle that will help us get to enduring solutions.

During their conversation, Mike tells the story of user research around public transportation and how he and his team created a break-even-on-cost prototype to improve the experience for riders. He reflects on the impulse for taking giant steps when that alone isn't going to solve the system. It's the combination of the large scale leaps and the small grassroots steps aligned with the individual in the middle that will help us get to enduring solutions.