Director of Graduate Programming | Life Design Lab
Johns Hopkins University
Yasir Kurt is a forward-thinking serial entrepreneur, a design thinking expert, a passionate advocate for international students, and a champion of transformative education with over a decade of impactful experience. Holding a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, Yasir has contributed to institutions such as Texas A&M University-San Antonio and Purdue University. His career is marked by a steadfast commitment to empowering diverse populations—refugees, international students, and first-generation students—through life-changing career journeys.
In his current role as the Director of Life Design Graduate Programming at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), Yasir leads a team of Life Design Educators to create innovative, scalable programs tailored to the unique needs of graduate students. As the visionary behind Fail Furious, a personal brand that encourages individuals to embrace failure as a pathway to growth, Yasir inspires action and resilience. He regularly shares his expertise in life design, mentoring, and global job search strategies at national and international conferences, and his insights have been featured in podcasts and panels.
As a serial entrepreneur, Yasir has founded and co-founded multiple ventures across diverse industries, including EdTech and career consultation and professional services. His entrepreneurial spirit is fueled by a desire to create scalable solutions that empower individuals and communities globally.
Yasir’s intrapreneurial mindset has been instrumental in launching transformative initiatives that empower students to thrive in the global workforce. His work not only advances global employability but also reimagines the future of career development. Yasir is shaping the next generation of leaders and fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and strategic growth—both at Johns Hopkins and beyond.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
9:30 AM – 10:20 AM PST