Our TEAM
Joe Watson Partner
Joe has been immersed in design thinking and innovation his entire life. After receiving his BFA in Design from Ohio University, he began his career at American Greetings and then worked with other traditional design firms before founding Saremo, Inc. in 2000. Over the next 15 years he began to recognize how the principles of design thinking were especially applicable to solving people problems. The light bulb moment came when an exasperated client uttered the phrase, “all of my problems wear shoes” — and Joe began to apply design thinking to strategic organizational issues and the human challenges of leadership and innovation.
Joe’s passion for people, ideas, and the creative process is infectious, and soon he was approached by organizations like the Cleveland Clinic to create and facilitate custom programs that allow teams to build the safety and trust required for innovation. In every interaction, Joe seeks to create this environment of 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.
Joe is enthusiastic about teaching and giving back, and has taught senior level design curriculum at Cleveland State University and an MBA course at The University of Akron. He is also the former President and advisory board member of the Cleveland chapter of AIGA: the professional association for design. A dynamic speaker and performer, Joe has given numerous keynotes and presentations on design thinking, creativity, and innovation best practices.
Joe is an idea guy. He is constantly taking in input and envisioning new ways to connect dots and apply learning in novel and surprising ways. 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 got a Duolingo Italian streak well over 650 days. He enjoys designing and building things and is never without a creative project in the works. 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.
David Somoo
Regional Director, Africa and EMEA Region
David Somoo has spent over 15 years helping companies grow through strategic change management, business development, and organizational transformation. His career has taken him across the UK, USA, and EMEA, where he’s led teams and tackled complex business challenges for a range of organizations, from start-ups to global corporations. David thrives on fostering a culture of learning and innovation, leveraging his expertise in design thinking, agile methodologies, and stakeholder management to create transformative business outcomes.
His ability to navigate matrixed organizations and deliver high-quality client experiences has made him a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, driving strategic clarity and operational excellence.
Outside of his professional life, David is an avid hiker and trekker. His passion for environmental sustainability is rooted in his academic background in Geology, where he developed a deep understanding of the planet’s ecosystems and a commitment to preserving natural environments.
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.