Visionary Entrepreneur Carole Segal, Who Used Design to Build a Retail Empire, Will Receive Honorary Doctor from Illinois Tech
Co-founder of Crate & Barrel and prolific philanthropist recognized for dedication to design-driven entrepreneurship and civic leadership.
CHICAGO—May 16, 2026—Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) will award Carole Segal, a pioneering force in design-driven retail and philanthropy, an Honorary Doctor of Design, honoris causa, at its 157th Commencement ceremony today at Credit 1 Union Arena. As co-founder of Crate & Barrel, serial entrepreneur, and civic leader, Segal has built a legacy defined by creativity, innovation, and a deep commitment to community—both in Chicago and globally.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from Illinois Tech,” says Segal. “Design has always been about more than aesthetics—it’s about improving how people live and connect. I hope this honor inspires students to think boldly, create with purpose, and use their talents to make a meaningful difference in the world.”
Segal co-founded Crate & Barrel in 1962 with her husband, Gordon, helping redefine American home retail through a modern, design-forward approach that brought high-quality, well-designed products to a broad audience. She later identified a gap in the Chicago market for gourmet culinary ingredients and founded Foodstuffs in 1979, building it into a thriving business that reflected her entrepreneurial instinct and passion for innovation.
“Carole Segal embodies the spirit of design as a catalyst for entrepreneurship and impact,” says Raj Echambadi, president of Illinois Tech. “Through her work in building iconic brands and her deep engagement in civic and philanthropic initiatives, she has demonstrated how creativity and leadership can transform industries and communities alike.”
Beyond her entrepreneurial success, Segal has played a significant role as a civic leader across a wide range of organizations here in Chicago, in the United States, and in Rwanda—including as a life trustee of Illinois Tech.
“Carole Segal’s career mirrors the evolution of design itself—from artifact to impact, from identifying unmet needs to creating thoughtful, human-centered solutions,” says Anijo Mathew, dean of Illinois Tech’s Institute of Design (ID), where Segal serves on the Advisory Board. “She democratized good design with Crate & Barrel, then carried that same approach into food, health care, and civic life. Her influence spans business, philanthropy, and education—a powerful example of what happens when you stay curious and keep asking: what’s the need, and how do we fill it?”
“Carole models a distinctly Midwestern approach—practical, values-driven, grounded in community—that I respect and want to mirror in the work we do,” says Kim Erwin, director of the Equitable Healthcare Lab at ID. “She is a force, committed to investing in people and systems that shape life chances, and our work at the Equitable Healthcare Lab would not have had the reach or include the range of projects without Carole’s support.”
“Carole Segal’s extraordinary career reflects a lifelong commitment to innovation, generosity, and community impact,” says Illinois Tech Board Chair Michael P. Galvin (LAW ’78). “Her contributions to business, philanthropy, and civic life have left a lasting mark on Chicago and beyond, and she continues to inspire future generations of leaders and changemakers.”
Photo: Carole Segal
Illinois Institute of Technology
Based in the global metropolis of Chicago, Illinois Tech was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and innovation for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of Chicago and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science and human sciences, and law. Illinois Tech students are guaranteed access to hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university's one-of-a-kind Elevate program. Its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Its faculty and alumni built the Chicago skyline. And every day in the city's living lab, Illinois Tech fuels breakthroughs that change lives. Visit iit.edu.
Media contacts
Petra Kelly
Communications Director
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773.771.1064
petra.kelly@illinoistech.edu
Kevin Dollear
Communications Manager
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773.860.5712
kdollear@illinoistech.edu
