AnnMarie Thomas

AnnMarie Thomas is an accomplished educator, engineer, and entrepreneur with a diverse background in academia and industry. She is the founder of Listo Idea Co., LLC, a consulting company specializing in creative problem solving, playful learning design, and unusual engineering challenges.12

Professional Experience

AnnMarie has an extensive career spanning various roles:

• Founder of Listo Idea Co., LLC (January 2024 - Present): Her most recent venture focusing on creative problem-solving and playful learning design.1

• Professor at University of St. Thomas (September 2006 - December 2023): She taught in both the School of Engineering and Opus College of Business for over 17 years.1

• Director/Founder of Playful Learning Lab (2009 - May 2024): She led this lab at the University of St. Thomas for 15 years.1

• Executive Director and Co-Founder of OK Go Sandbox (June 2017 - Present): A collaborative project with the band OK Go.12

Education and Expertise

AnnMarie's educational background is equally impressive:

• Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Caltech
• S.B. in Ocean Engineering with a minor in Music from MIT
• Post-Doctoral certificate in Management & Marketing from the University of Florida1

Notable Achievements

• Author of "Making Makers: Kids, Tools, and the Future of Education"
• Co-founder of the University of St. Thomas' Center for Engineering Education
• Creator of Squishy Circuits, an innovative approach to teaching circuitry
• Awarded the LEGO Prize in 20202

Personal Interests

Outside of her professional life, AnnMarie is an amateur aerialist specializing in static and flying trapeze, and a beginner magician.2

AnnMarie Thomas is known for her passion for creating playful learning experiences and her innovative approach to education and engineering. Her work spans across various fields, including engineering education, entrepreneurship, and creative problem-solving.