Monica Rush is the executive director of the Kusske Design Initiative and a senior leader in sustainability strategy and design, with a proven track record of driving large-scale transformation in industry. With more than a decade of experience at the intersection of product design, brand strategy, and systems innovation, she has built and scaled initiatives focused on circular design, responsible materials, and consumer-driven product solutions.

Before joining the College of Design, Monica served as director of responsible design & strategy at Target, leading a team of design strategists working to embed sustainability and circularity into the company’s $30B+ owned brand portfolio. Prior to her work at Target, Monica’s early work in museum education and STEM policy advocacy informed her belief in experiential learning and the power of storytelling to connect people with ideas.

Monica holds a BS in mechanical engineering and a MS degree in technology & policy, both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She brings deep expertise in change management, integrated strategy, and team development, along with a long-standing commitment to mentorship and design education through her teaching roles at MIT and the University of Minnesota.