George Cook

George Cook has worked for three decades integrating technology in education. He has 30 years experience working with clients in various positions at Apple, Inc. In this capacity he collaborates with K-12 and Higher Education institutions focusing on educational content creation and distribution. Other highlights of his professional career include leadership roles at Project Mandarin, a technology consortium centered at Cornell University, and IT Manager at Eric Mower & Associates, an ad agency based in Syracuse and New York City. In 1984 George graduated with a BFA from the nascent Computer Graphics program in Syracuse University’s department of Art Media Studies.

George recently completed his Masters degree in Sustainable Design. In his studies he focused on ways that he can contribute to humanity's sustainable future.

George believes that today's young people will face the most serious environmental, economic and social problems in the coming years. The linear "make, use dispose mindset" must be changed. Education plays a critical role in developing the sustainability mindset to meet these challenges. In his thesis project, George explores a bio-inspired approach to education replacing today's linear, industrially inspired systems. More broadly, a sustainability mindset and worldview is support by incorporating rich feedback loops and cycles into all human systems. George challenges everyone to reflect on the wisdom of living systems and incorporate this richness into their lives and the human systems they interact with.