Los Angeles – Jason Mayden, CEO and founder of Trillicon Valley and president of Fear of God Athletics, will deliver the keynote address at USC Iovine and Young Academy’s commencement ceremony on May 13.  

 Jason Mayden is one of the foremost designers focused on the intersection of advanced human performance, technology, and digital innovation. He is CEO and founder of Trillicon Valley, a design and strategy consultancy specializing in new venture creation and multi-stakeholder partnership negotiations for athletes, entertainers, and global creatives. Trillicon’s past clients include the NBA, NFL, MLB, Disney, Google, Spotify, ESPN, Andreessen Horowitz, and Fear of God.

 “Jason Mayden is a creative trailblazer and his unique perspectives on service leadership and passion for youth advocacy can inspire and teach us all,” said Thanasiss Rikakis, dean of USC Iovine and Young Academy. “We are honored to welcome him and his insights will undoubtedly embolden our students to accomplish positive change as they prepare for the next phase of their journey."

 Prior to Trillicon Valley, Mayden founded Super Heroic, an award-winning enterprise focused on creating quality play performance products, technology and services for elementary school-aged children and their families. Mayden’s remarkable career includes a 13-year stint at Nike where he started as the brand’s first Black product design intern and rose to senior global design director leading the design of iconic footwear and performance products for elite athletes such as Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, and Chris Paul to name a few.  Mayden also serves as president of Fear of God Athletics, a newly formed partnership between Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God and global sportswear giant, adidas.

 “The Iovine and Young Academy represents a radical shift in modern education. The mission and intention of the Academy aligns seamlessly with my personal and professional ethos,” said Mayden. “I am tremendously honored to be able to share my thoughts, hopes and aspirations with an exceptional collection of young, brilliant, emergent leaders.”

 Mayden’s mission is to share his creative superpowers to use them for good and to help today’s youth discover their own. Featured on multiple ‘most inspiring’ lists, including Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business and EBONY Power 100, Mayden is celebrated as one of the most inspiring and influential leaders who is impacting our world today, particularly in the areas of youth advocacy, design, innovation, and ethical entrepreneurship. 

 Mayden earned his BFA in Industrial Design from College of Creative Studies where he serves as an advisory board member. At the height of his career at Nike, Mayden was accepted into Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business as a Sloan Fellow and received his MS in General Management and Social Innovation. Mayden serves as an advisor, d.Fellow, and media designer at Stanford’s Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (the “d.school”).

 The Academy's 5th commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 13th at Bovard Auditorium. For more information, visit https://iovine-young.usc.edu/commencement

 Media Contact:
Karine Kim
Karine.kim@usc.edu

Jason Mayden named 2022 commencement speaker for USC Iovine and Young Academy