Faculty

Michael Kanazawa’s experience spans over 30 years, serving as a founder, corporate leader and strategy advisor. In 2014 he and a partner sold their firm, Bedrock Consultants, to Ernst & Young (EY), where Michael served as a partner for 10 years and led the Innovation Realized global practice. During this time, the practice earned market leader status from Forrester Research every year the benchmark study was run. In 2018 he was named a Top 25 industry leader by Consulting Magazine for his contributions to innovation and technology in areas including precision agriculture, connected medicine, smart buildings/cities and corporate innovation. In 2008 he co-authored Big Ideas to Big Results with former Harvard professor, Dr. Robert H. Miles, a playbook on how to lead strategic corporate transformations. 

At IYA Michael teaches Disruptive Innovation and is leading the design and development of the Academy’s Venture Studio. This new initiative focuses on launching ventures and new product innovations where students, faculty, and corporate teams will collaborate. It supports IYA’s intention to teach entrepreneurial thinking through cross-discipline teams and apply it towards solving real-world challenges. The focus of the Venture Studio will be on the Future of Human Performance and Potential, leveraging advanced technologies including AI, XR, IoT, implantable devices, exoskeletons and robotics.  

He earned a Masters of Business Administration from USC Marshall and a B.A. in Mathematics and Econometrics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Michael's leadership at IYA reflects his deep commitment to advancing education and entrepreneurship, especially within the dynamic landscape of technological disruption.