Hi, I'm Tommy

I lead design at IA Collaborative, partnering with Fortune 100s and startups to define the future of human experience. My work sits at the intersection of human-centered design and AI development, where I lead teams in building intelligent solutions that feel natural, ethical, and impactful.

My career began in special education with Teach For America—a role that defined my mission: finding messy problems and solving them through design. From launching new industries in Silicon Valley to architecting complex AI ecosystems, I believe that creatively applying technology is the ultimate lever for systemic change.

Outside of work, I’m a news junkie, a fantasy baseball strategist, and a surfer.

I come from a proud Irish family, led by this guy, Frank Carroll. He fought and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge before returning to Scranton, PA to raise kids and not work for Dunder Mifflin.

I was lucky to attend one of the most diverse public school systems in the country, shaping my worldview, values, and dance moves.

Out of the gate, I wanted to be doing whatever that guy was doing. I figured I'd go to law school or something.

Until I received an opportunity through Teach For America to move to Hawaii.

My job was to inspire and support a cast of characters in low-income areas. I fell in love with the strategy, storytelling, and attention to experience design that goes into effective teaching. The classroom turned me on to IDEO and their work transforming schools and businesses through design.

*Above: Ponyboy and his crew of hardcore greasers

So I left the classroom and spent two years wearing many hats helping venture-backed startups get off the ground and maintain altitude.

Solving problems through strategy and design became my secret sauce. I earned my master's degree in experience design in 2018, and continue to practice design in the greatest city the world- New York.