Heather Emerson is VP of Design at Coursera, where she leads a team focused on creating online learning experiences that drive growth and improve outcomes for learners around the world. With over 15 years of experience in ed-tech and human-centered design, she has helped scale Coursera’s impact across consumer, enterprise, and government audiences. Before Coursera, Heather co-founded IDEO’s global Education Studio, leading teams that partnered with organizations like Google, Microsoft, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Some of her work includes a coaching platform for first-generation college students, an adaptive learning system for a major publisher, California’s first online community college, and leadership training programs for leaders in big tech. Heather believes design is a powerful tool for social change. When grounded in empathy, it can shift systems, expand access, and create more inclusive, human-centered outcomes. She has spoken at events including the White House Summit on Higher Education, SXSW EDU, and ASU+GSV.