We’re living proof of the power of human-centered design.

Our STory

S2A was founded by Brad Brezinski in 2014, with the goal of unlocking organizational transformation through human-centered design.

The business world was hungry for our methods, and our early successes powered our rapid growth. By early 2020 we held key contracts with some of the world’s top industrial leaders.

Then Covid hit.

We used our own strategy design tools to launch a new era for our business.

Countless organizations met their match in 2020. As a people-centered firm, we were nearly one of them.

To survive, we radically reshaped our identity as an organization, using the very same human-centered design methods we use to help our clients every day.

We ate our own dog food, so to speak. It didn’t just help us survive – it led us to thrive.

Our cultural discovery process revealed a surprise right to win with the US Military, leading to the creation of our award-winning NILE program.

And our strategy design methods pointed us to our true north: helping complex organizations use human-centered design to innovate within the upheavals of a post-Covid market.

Three years later, we know that our human-centered design methods work, not only because of our numerous client success stories, but because they guided us through our hardest years as a company.

Your challenges are unique. Our solutions will be too.

If your company is struggling with entrenched issues that just won’t budge, we can help. We’ve been in your shoes, and we know how hard it is.

We’ll work with you to diagnose your unique situation, and explore how S2A can help you leverage your cultural strengths towards a new era of engagement, innovation and growth.

Leadership Team

At S2A, we work at the intersection of culture, strategy and innovation to help our clients design solutions to their toughest human-centered challenges.

BRAD BREZINSKI

Founder and Managing Director

Brad is the founder and managing director of S2A, working directly with senior leaders to help them design and execute culturally responsive strategies. Prior to S2A, Brad served as the CFO and VP of Corporate Strategy for a Cincinnati-based defense and aerospace manufacturing firm. He is also a retired Naval Officer and graduate of the Naval Nuclear Power Program. Brad is also an alumni of Cincinnati’s Forty Under 40.

KRISTIN CARTER

Senior Director, Chief Learning and Design Officer

Kristin is the Chief Learning & Design Officer at S2A, combining her passion for learning with sound design principles to support S2A's culturally responsive solutions. With a background in Mechanical Engineering and as a former Active Duty Navy Engineering Duty Officer, she worked on Littoral Combat Ships and was an instructor at the Naval Academy.

MIKE BUCKNER

Senior Director, Government Contracting

Mike joined S2A Solutions in 2019 as the Federal Contract Management Lead to launch a division with the goal of offering the Federal and State Governments leadership development and organizational training. With a strong foothold in the Government space, Mike now manages S2A’s contractual efforts and leads the business development team in seeking out and bidding on new opportunities..

MATT BATCHLER

Senior Director, Technology and Innovation

Matt joined S2A Solutions in 2019 as its head of technology and program management. He is an entrepreneur and experienced leader who assists organizations in leveraging technology to radically differentiate themselves from their competition. He brings a refreshingly simplistic approach to identify and implement solutions that create rapid adoption.

Amber Greene

Chief of Staff

Amber joined S2A in 2021 as an Executive Assistant and has since assumed the role as Chief of Staff. With a bachelor's degree in Organizational Communication and a versatile background ranging from supportive administrative roles to program management and public relations, Amber ensures seamless operations while fostering the team's inclusive and collaborative culture.

Natalie Galbato

Senior Advisor- Business Development

Natalie is currently the Director of Business Development for a top five global accounting firm. She works with clients to solve key business challenges in accounting and finance, mergers and acquisitions, risk, operations and technology. Prior to her current role, she was with Convergys leading new product development and marketing strategy. Previously she was a partner at a Big Six accounting firm and has also held roles in strategic planning.

Nick Buschur

Senior Advisor- Strategic Growth and Innovation

Nick Buschur, President of Food and Beverage Solutions at Certified Group, LLC, is a dynamic leader driven by a strong passion for innovation. With extensive industry experience, he spearheads strategic growth, delivering exceptional solutions, and ensuring top-tier client services in the dynamic business landscape.

Deana Taylor, JD

Senior Advisor- Human Resources Management

Deana Taylor currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources for 3CDC. Prior to 3CDC, Deana was the Director of Human Resources for Lighthouse Youth and Family Services. She attended NKU Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where she earned her J.D in 2012. Deana is also a University of Cincinnati Alumna, where she holds an Associate’s Degree in Information Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management and a Master’s Degree in Labor and Employment Relations.

Todd Uterstaedt

Senior Advisor- Coaching and Entrepreneurship

Todd Uterstaedt is Co-Founder and CEO of Baker & Daboll, a leading boutique executive coaching firm, where he is also a Senior Executive Coach. After serving as a decorated U.S. Army Intelligence Officer and successful Vice President of a global organizational development company, Todd helped to build Baker & Daboll into a high performing team of exceptional executive coaches. As an in-demand executive coach, entrepreneur, and speaker, Todd also hosts the popular global podcast, “From Founder To CEO".

Dr. Tom Merrill

Senior Advisor- Innovation and Design Thinking

Tom is a Master Facilitator for ExperiencePoint, a world leading innovation capability-building training company. He regularly interacts with over half of the Fortune 100, and those companies that aspire to be there, too! He frequently leads executives, teams, high-performing cohorts through experiences in Human Centered Design and Change Management. Prior to joining ExperiencePoint, Tom served as a Professor, Associate Provost, and Director of the Center for Innovation at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tim Sharp, JD

Senior Advisor- Strategy and Professional Services

Tim Sharp is an architect, attorney, and an experienced leader in facilitating and implementing complex projects. He has more than three decades of hands-on experience as a designer and project manager of residential, governmental, commercial, industrial and institutional projects for a wide spectrum of clients. His broad-based background includes land use planning, public financing, grant writing, regulatory/zoning approvals, economic development, urban design, building design, design-build and construction.

Karen Mueller