Two-time founder & award-winning designer. I talk about founders' mental health and the mindset to live a joyful life. I love fixing old motorcycles 🛵

I’m a two-time founder and award-winning design director with a proven track record of leading teams to successfully bring over 50 innovative physical and digital products to market.

With 20+ years of experience across startups, consultancies, and corporate settings, I’ve developed a holistic approach that combines creative design thinking, operational and manufacturing expertise, and emotional intelligence to drive innovation and team success.

Today, I serve as Director of Products at Grizzly Industrial, where I lead three brands: Grizzly, Shop Fox, and South Bend, overseeing product strategy, design, merchandising, pricing, logistics, and development.

In parallel, I continue to coach a select group of founders and leaders, placing emotional intelligence at the core of my work to empower better decision-making, stronger collaboration, and sustainable growth. 

I also write regularly:

Advise Myself → essays on emotional intelligence and personal growth

The Design Practice → essays on product management, design, and leadership


Originally from Argentina 🇦🇷 and now based in Bellingham, WA, I enjoy life as a dad, exploring the outdoors, and restoring old motorcycles 🛵 🏍️.

Career Highlights include:

 ➜ Founded and led two startups, including one exit in 2022.
 ➜ Directed the design and launch of 50+ products across industries.
 ➜ Earned 35 patents for innovative product designs.
 ➜ Exhibited twice at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), with one design in its permanent collection.
 ➜ Created products that won more than 75 major design awards.
 ➜ Founded and built a design consultancy serving global brands such as Crate & Barrel, CB2, Club Quarters Hotels, and Herman Miller.
 ➜ Established overseas manufacturing operations for multiple clients.

Manuel Saez

Manuel Toscano

Ingrid Airways

Chief Innovation Officer

CLIP

Chief Branding Officer

Manufactured

Manyone

Expert panel member

Phoebe

Advisor

Future's People

Member

10XBeta Venture Studio 

Chief Marketing Officer

Head of Europe 

TEDxAmsterdam

Co Lead Impact Program 

Zago

Managing Partner

Danish Design Centre / Dansk Design Center

Advisory Board Member

With over 30 years of experience in the social impact and innovation fields, I am passionate about developing and branding sustainable, ethical, and impactful products and services. As the Chief Innovation Officer at Manufactured, I oversee the product development and innovation processes, ensuring that our tangible experiences reframe how brands engage with the future. As Chief Branding Officer at CLIP, I lead the strategic direction and execution of the brand identity, positioning, and messaging for the company's portfolio of circular economy solutions. As Chief Innovation Officer at Ingrid Airways, I lead the development of a unique business model in aviation designed to accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral flying. Some of the skills I bring to these roles are creativity and innovation, strategy, analytical skills, and communication. I aim to use my expertise and experience to create positive social and environmental change. I value collaboration, equity, and continuous learning and seek to work with organizations that share these values and goals.

taplio

The Battle

Manuel Saez

Manuel Toscano

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?