Nicole Cacal is a highly regarded leader in the entrepreneurship, instructional design, and human-centered tech fields, with a passion for advancing the Filipino community. She is the Founder and CEO of Forbes Ignite, a consultancy advising global companies on how to innovate at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and social impact (Forbes Ignite is a license partner of Forbes Media, LLC). Nicole is also the Founder and Executive Director of Katalista.org, a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurship in the Filipino American community. A dedicated lecturer at the Parsons School of Design and a visiting professor at the Pratt Institute, she teaches courses on financial management, business models, social innovation, and strategic technology to the next generation of diverse leaders. She also engages in-depth conversations with mission-driven individuals who are redefining success through the Forbes Ignite podcast, “Inner Wealth.”
‍
Nicole holds a BBA in Finance & International Business from the University of Hawaii, an MSc in Strategic Design & Management from the Parsons School of Design, and an MSc in Technology Management from Columbia University.

She is an international speaker on topics such as design thinking, human-centered technology, and reciprocal mentorship.  A trained classical pianist, in her free time, Nicole enjoys photography, painting, writing, traveling and expanding her collection of signed 1st edition books.