Dr. Susan L. Sokolowski
Innovation Leader + Inventor
Research Expertise
About
Publications
Education
University of Minnesota
PhD / 1999
Cornell University
MA / 1996
Fashion Institute of Technology
BFA / 1990
Nottingham Polytechnic
BS Honors / 1989
Experience
University of Oregon
Director + Professor
Founding Director + Professor / January, 2016 — Present
Subject: Sports Product Design. Courses: Footwear, apparel, and equipment innovation, fabrication-prototyping, research methodology, and professional development.
Adjunct Professor / January, 2009 — December, 2016
Subject: Product Design. Courses: Product design, innovation, soft goods fabrication, and research methodology.
lululemon athletica
Vice President of Footwear Innovation / January, 2023 — December, 2025
Established and led lululemon's footwear innovation strategy grounded in unmet guest needs, human performance, materials science, and advanced manufacturing. Architected a long-range innovation roadmap and built a high-performing interdisciplinary team to translate research and early-stage concepts into breakthrough solutions that fused sustainability, performance, and aesthetic integrity. Directed operations across four labs, overseeing resource planning and budget allocation to fuel experimentation, rapid prototyping, and scalable innovation. Cultivated a culture of inquiry and iterative discovery, leveraging cross-sector partnerships and data-driven design to expand the boundaries of footwear.
WareLabs
Founder + Chief Creative Officer / January, 2016 — December, 2025
Specialized in advanced product research and speculative design as the CCO of a boutique innovation practice. Led future-forward collaborations with global brands including lululemon, Nike, MAS Holdings, Old Navy, Honeywell, Body Labs, Amazon, and Victoria's Secret to investigate complex human-product-material systems, insights to prototype transformative product concepts. Bridged design, technology, and material exploration to reimagine performance, form, inclusion, and sustainability across diverse industries.
Nike Inc.
Innovation Leader + Designer / January, 1998 — December, 2016
Drove human-centered insight-driven product innovation. Began tenure as a designer in emerging business categories - including soccer equipment, training gear, bags, and women's footwear, leveraging deep consumer insights to catalyze new market opportunities such as the Nike J Guard, SHOX for Her, and Flyknit. Progressed into strategic leadership roles directing multidisciplinary teams across footwear, apparel, and equipment. Led innovation efforts in key focus areas such as Women's Sport Support, Engineered Textiles, the World Cup Olympics, NFL, and Nike Pro - bridging performance and material innovation to deliver future-forward product solutions.
Burton Snowboards + Gravis Footwear
Research + Creative Consultant / 9999 — 9999
Collaborated with Burton to pioneer their soft boot driving technology - merging biomechanical insight with rider intuition to enhance snowboard feel and control. Led the design and development of Gravis' first anatomically-informed last engineered to address the distinct performance, movement, and lifestyle demands of both skateboarders and snowboarders.
FILA Sports
Footwear Materials Innovation and FitField Testing Manager / January, 1997 — December, 1998
Led global research initiatives in materials innovation, wear and fit testing, blending athlete needs with commercial opportunities. Developed and curated a footwear materials library system grounded in performance while managing projects with cross-functional footwear teams to generate insights and craft compelling product narratives.
Swede-O International
Researcher + Designer / January, 1992 — December, 1998
Specialized in ankle brace research, design, and sizing system development. Reduced returns, improved product performance, and created the first female-specific ankle brace in the medical footwear industry.
US Department of Defense (NAWC)
Textile Technologist / January, 1991 — December, 1994
Researched, designed, and developed anti-G chemical-biological-radiological warfare protection and women's-specific personal protective equipment (PPE).
Oregon State University
Courtesy Associate Professor / January, 2004 — December, 2016
Subject: Apparel Design. Courses: Sports product design and draping.
University of Minnesota
Adjunct Professor / January, 2013 — December, 2013
Subject: Design. Course: Sports product design.
Teaching + Research Associate / January, 1992 — December, 1997
Subjects: Apparel Design, Human Factors, and Biomechanics. Courses: Fabrication, prototyping, pattern drafting, draping, quality control, CAD, equipment-apparel design, and research methodology.
Cornell University
Teaching + Research Assistant / January, 1990 — December, 1992
Subject: Apparel Design. Courses: Soft goods fabrication, draping, pattern drafting, AutoCAD, anthropometry, and costume history.
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