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Michael O'Bryan

Michael O'Bryan

Distinguished Resident Fellow
Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation


Michael O’Bryan is the founder and CEO of humanature, a business management consulting firm, and is a dedicated practitioner and researcher in the fields of community development, organizational culture, and human well-being. His work, fueled by the intersections of developmental science and design, resonates in both the public and private sectors. Notable clients such as Neighborworks America, Campbell Soup Foundation, and The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia have benefited from his human-centered approach. At Drexel University’s Lindy Institute for Urban Innovation, he leads a design studio focused on centering humanity in the future of work, economic development, and wealth building. His flagship project, The Future of Work Coalition, is cultivating public-private collaboration for jobs that produce family-thriving wages and benefits that generate assets. Michael is the co-author of "Connected Community: A Trauma Informed Community Engagement Toolkit," and a lecturer at The Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania, sharing insights on community engagement and design research. Beyond his work endeavors, he is proud to serve on the boards of three local philanthropic institutions: The Samuel S. Fels Fund, The Union Benevolent Association, and The Philadelphia Cultural Fund. In recognition of his work and service Michael was awarded the Diversity in Business Award from The Philadelphia Business Journal and the Promise Leader Award from Worldmaker International.