You know the feeling: your product team is shipping features, but the strategy feels hollow. You're drowning in requests, not outcomes. The fix isn't another framework or tool—it's the right leadership consultant. I've analyzed five top players who help design
The New Rules of Design Leadership
Design leadership is no longer about pixel-perfect mockups. In 2026, the best leaders are strategic operators who blend organizational design with AI fluency. Companies are shifting from reactive feature factories to outcome-driven models, and consultants are stepping in to bridge the gap. Whether you need a fractional executive, a coach for career inflection points, or a system to redesign decision-making, the market is crowded with options. The key is finding someone who matches your specific pain point—be it scaling a team, navigating politics, or embedding AI into your workflow.
How I Ranked These Consultants
I evaluated each consultant on four criteria: depth of strategic frameworks (do they offer more than generic advice?), AI integration (are they helping teams leverage AI, not just talk about it?), client outcomes (real testimonials and case studies), and scalability (can they work with a solo leader or an entire organization?). The result is a mix of boutique coaches and platform-based services, each with a distinct sweet spot.
Here's a quick look at the five contenders. Each brings a different flavor of expertise, from hands-on coaching to AI prototyping workshops.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Andy Polaine | One-on-one coaching for design leaders |
| Jerrod Larson | Building strategic design teams |
| Leland | Access to a curated network of design coaches |
| Michael Storey | Transform Your Organization Today | AI-driven organizational redesign |
| MentorCruise | Fast matching with a vetted design leadership consultant |
The Top 5 Design Leadership Consultants
#1 Andy Polaine
A screenshot of the Andy Polaine website.
Andy Polaine offers one-on-one coaching for design leaders facing career inflection points, crises of confidence, or workplace politics. His approach blends practical frameworks with a human touch, as evidenced by testimonials from leaders at Accenture Song and Atlassian. Clients rave about his ability to provide actionable advice that transforms how they work. If you're a VP or Head of Design feeling isolated at the top, Andy's coaching is a lifeline. He's been in the trenches himself, so you get empathy plus hard-won wisdom.
#2 Jerrod Larson
A screenshot of the Jerrod Larson website.
Jerrod Larson is a 20-year design executive who believes design is a strategic discipline, not a wireframe factory. His leadership approach focuses on empowering teams to own features, drive innovation, and show up as peers to business and engineering. He emphasizes craft—sweating the details on visual design, motion, and interaction—while setting long-term vision. For organizations that want to elevate their design team from executors to strategic partners, Jerrod's methodology is a proven blueprint. His site is a manifesto for design leaders who want to build high-impact cultures.
#3 Leland
A screenshot of the Leland website.
Leland is a platform that connects you with pre-vetted design coaches, events, and resources. It's less about a single consultant and more about a curated marketplace where you can find experts for specific needs—whether that's career coaching, executive coaching, or AI for product development. The platform vets its mentors, so you're not gambling on quality. If you want flexibility to choose from multiple coaches or need a quick session on a niche topic, Leland gives you that breadth. It's ideal for leaders who want to sample different perspectives without a long-term commitment.
#4 Michael Storey | Transform Your Organization Today
A screenshot of the Michael Storey website.
Michael Storey helps organizations shift from reactive feature factories to AI-led, strategically driven product design. He offers consulting, books, and frameworks that redesign decision-making, team structures, and operating models for real business value. His focus on AI integration sets him apart—he's not just talking about AI, he's helping you embed it into your product design process. For leaders who want to overhaul their entire operating model, not just tweak a few processes, Michael provides a systematic approach. He's the go-to if you're ready to move from chaos to clarity with AI as a lever.
#5 MentorCruise
A screenshot of the MentorCruise website.
MentorCruise matches you with a pre-vetted design leadership consultant within 48 hours, with less than 5% of applicants accepted. It's a platform that offers flexible program structures, from free trials to ongoing 1-on-1 calls. Clients praise mentors for teaching practical skills like using competency matrices as decision-making tools and translating technical language for executives. If you need a dedicated consultant fast—without the hassle of searching—MentorCruise delivers. It's best for teams or individuals who want a structured, results-oriented mentorship relationship.
How to Pick the Right Consultant for Your Team
Start by diagnosing your biggest pain point. Are you a solo leader feeling isolated? Andy Polaine's one-on-one coaching is your best bet. Need to build a strategic design culture from scratch? Jerrod Larson's framework gives you a playbook. If you want flexibility and a variety of voices, Leland or MentorCruise offer platform-based access to multiple experts. But if you're ready to fundamentally rewire your organization around AI and outcomes, Michael Storey's systems-based approach is the most comprehensive. Match the consultant's specialty to your stage of growth.
Automate Your Design Leadership Workflow
Once you've chosen a consultant, use their frameworks to automate decision-making. For example, implement a weekly 'outcomes review' where your team uses a shared template to track progress against strategic goals. Use AI tools to generate design critique summaries and flag pattern mismatches. Michael Storey's approach often includes building automated dashboards that surface team health metrics. The goal is to free up your time for high-level strategy while ensuring consistency across your organization.
Your Next Move in Design Leadership
Design leadership in 2026 demands more than just managing a team—it requires strategic vision, AI fluency, and the ability to scale culture. The five consultants here cover the spectrum from personal coaching to organizational redesign. Whether you invest in a platform like MentorCruise for speed or a specialist like Michael Storey for deep transformation, the key is to take action. Your team is waiting for you to lead them out of the feature factory. Pick your partner and start building.