About Switch
Like many good stories, the tale of Switch begins with a hot cup of coffee at a local cafe. A mutual colleague and friend of Kathy Wilcox and Joe Watson had suggested the two meet, saying, “I don’t know what will come of it, but you are both doing interesting things.” Many cups and several hours later, there was a sense that collaboration was inevitable. Though nothing would formally result for another year or two, the seeds were planted.
Over many ensuing conversations, more coffee, much testing, learning, and pandemic pivots, Switch began to take shape. It started with a shared passion for helping people and organizations become the best versions of themselves. An unwavering belief in the power and necessity of hope. The recognition of the intrinsic human need for connection and the corresponding craving for meaningful experiences. The ability to listen and understand and authentically connect. A never-ending supply of ideas. A rich and diverse pool of knowledge and experience to draw inspiration from. A fundamental desire for impact and a strong bias toward action.
By combining these ingredients with their respective expertise in design thinking and organizational development, Joe and Kathy collectively continue to grow Switch. They remain passionately committed to helping leaders, teams and organizations solve problems, innovate, and build the culture required to do so effectively.
Our TEAM
Joe Watson
Partner
Joe ventured out into the world with the plan of becoming either a U.S. Supreme Court justice or a Disney animator. He ended up with a BFA in graphic design from Ohio University and never quite made it to law school. He did, however, keep his curiosity and passion for understanding challenges at their fundamental root level, and for solving those challenges in beautiful and inspiring ways.
Joe has applied his passion for learning and connecting all of life’s dots in a myriad of ways. He founded and ran a successful brand agency for 20 years. He taught senior level design courses and MBA courses at the collegiate level. Joe is the former President and advisory board member of the Cleveland chapter of AIGA: the professional association for design. He has spoken at numerous conferences and events on design thinking, creativity, and innovation best practices. In every interaction, Joe seeks to create safety and trust, to engage all participants in meaningful dialogue, and to collaboratively inspire the innovative and creative solutions that are already bubbling under the surface.
What constitutes fun for Joe in his free time often involves creating and learning. A lifelong musician, he has written and produced music personally and professionally, including for nationally syndicated television commercials. You can also find the music podcast he hosts with Toby Brazwell, Riffs on Riffs, on all platforms. Joe is a yondan (4th degree black belt) and internationally certified instructor in Isshin Ryu karate. He’s trying to learn Italian. He enjoys designing and building things, often out of wood, but sometimes with electronics and other materials. He writes, though not as frequently as he likes, and also wishes he took more time for drawing and painting. He is the proud father of the most amazing daughter ever. His happy place is a trail in the metroparks.
Kathy Wilcox
Partner
Kathy has always been an independent thinker dedicated to making life better for the humans living it. Setting aside her childhood dream of becoming a truck driver, Kathy pursued an undergraduate degree in psychology, then applied her insatiable appetite for learning to consumer research and insights. After spending some time in the advertising agency world, she was compelled to figure out a way to make work a better place for people. Kathy received her Master’s in Organizational Development from Case Western Reserve University, and has spent the last 15+ years applying best practices around communication, psychological safety, physical environment, and work/life balance to organizations of all sizes. Kathy is a compelling speaker who has presented on numerous topics related to workplace culture. She is never the loudest voice in the room, but she is often the wisest.
While Kathy has still never hauled cross-country in a big rig, she does maneuver a large RV on the open road in her free time. She is always reading and writing — usually 12 different things at once. She has three boys, two dogs, and α flock of chickens that keep her both constantly amused and very busy.
Kajal Brazwell
Instructional Designer
Kajal continues to be captivated by the night sky, yearning to reach for the stars, just as she did as a child. Although her dream of becoming an astronaut took a different path, she found another passion. Armed with a B.A. in English from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s Plus degree in education from Ashland University, Kajal became a certified English teacher.
During her nearly ten years in education, Kajal excelled at creating engaging and effective lesson plans and content for her students. She managed multiple courses across different grade levels each school year, dedicating considerable time to crafting original lessons and activities. Her approach was student-centered, as she took the time to understand her students’ interests and needs. Kajal employed various teaching methods, integrating technology and fostering critical thinking through group discussions. Her students were encouraged to express their creativity in their writing and projects, resulting in unique and thoughtful work.
While she cherished her time in the classroom, Kajal eventually felt the call for change. For the past six years, she has been a Program Coordinator at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, overseeing an online education program for school districts. In this role, she refined her skills, delved into business aspects, and discovered her passion for developing training materials that facilitate learning.
With a strong foundation in pedagogy, Kajal decided to broaden her expertise to andragogy, the art of teaching adults. Her passion for working with adults and technology led her to pursue a Master of Science in Education program at Purdue University, specializing in curriculum, instructional design, and technology.
During her time at Purdue, Kajal enjoyed creating online courses, simulation games, digital resources, and more. These experiences deepened her enthusiasm for instructional design.
Kajal practices meditation and yoga outside of work to stay centered and mindful. She enjoys spending quality time with her husband and son, exploring new places, trying different cuisines, and attending live music events. She also shares her days with her two loyal dogs during long nature walks. Kajal has a range of interests, including cooking, reading, and actively leading women’s groups and activities that empower and uplift women in her community.
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