Zach McHugh is a Product Manager of Collaborations and Special Projects at Bose. Chances are you’ve experienced the impact of his work, whether you realized it or not. He’s led product collaborations with high-profile brands and public figures like Prince, Kendra Scott, Dior, Gorillaz, Coco Gauff, and Thom Browne, to name a few. But before stepping into his current role, Zach started as an R&D engineer in Bose’s prototype lab, where he was more than comfortable contributing behind the scenes. So, what exactly led Zach to where he is today? The Challenge Project played a big part. A graduate of the Gordon Institute’s Engineering Leadership program in 2022, Zach credits the experience with helping shape his career trajectory. 

After learning about the Gordon Institute from Tim Parker, Gordon Fellow 2014, Zach was drawn to the program’s Challenge Project and collaborative, cohort-based learning model. Having previously benefited from a cohort experience during a study-abroad program in Germany, he was eager to further develop his technical skills while building a strong network of peers alongside whom he could grow. Although he initially considered pursuing an MBA for its entrepreneurial and business focus, he ultimately found a better fit in the Gordon Institute’s engineering leadership approach. 

The Challenge Project 

“The Challenge Project completely changed the trajectory of my career.”

When it came to defining the scope of his Challenge Project, he had two choices: he could go with what he knew and pursue a project closely related to what he was already doing at work, or dive into something entirely new and unfamiliar. Ultimately, his decision to step out of his comfort zone ended up helping him not only hone his technical skills but also gain a much deeper understanding of the larger business strategy and expand his networks within the company and beyond.  

A direct ask from the CMO of Bose, his project focused on creating a new operating model for Bose to enable limited-edition product collaborations with major brands. He developed the framework for Bose to create a custom product for Prince: The Immersive Experience, a 10‑room, multisensory exhibition in Chicago celebrating Prince’s life, music, and fashion, created by Superfly and The Prince Estate. In doing so, he established a scalable capability for the company to pursue similar collaborations with endless brands and products moving forward. 

Because of its huge success, Zach transitioned into a new full-time role at Bose upon graduation and effectively carved out his own position in the company, leading and scaling this new initiative.  

Kendra Scott x Bose branded earbuds collaboration

Key Gordon Takeaways 

Nowadays, Zach continues to lead major brand collaborations. He regularly draws upon what he learned at the Gordon Institute, particularly in technical leadership, systems thinking, and strategic execution. The skills he developed strengthened his ability to plan complex programs, manage ambiguity, and lead cross-functional initiatives, all of which he uses every day. His role requires close collaboration with subject-matter experts across the company, and while he may not use scientific fundamentals directly, that foundation provides the technical fluency needed to work effectively across teams within his organization. 

His time in the program also reinforced the importance of communicating beyond engineers and translating technical concepts for broader audiences. The ability to communicate, present effectively, and secure buy-in from peers and stakeholders has been essential to his success, particularly as his role depends on building alignment across internal teams and external brand partners to move projects forward. More broadly, his ability to lead without authority and operate with confidence is something he attributes in large part to the Gordon Institute. 

“Gordon gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone while providing the mentorship and structure to practice new skills in the classroom before applying them directly at work.”

A Piece of Advice 

For anyone considering the Gordon program, Zach emphasizes three key aspects that made it a game-changer for him. First is the real-world application, with the ability to immediately apply what you are learning in the classroom to a project that can meaningfully impact your career. Second is the cohort-driven learning environment, which includes memorable off-site adventures that make the experience both challenging and genuinely enjoyable. Third is access to a lifelong network of accomplished Gordon Fellows who continue to support one another well after the program ends. 

He notes that while balancing work and classes is never easy, there is a strong support system offered throughout the program and beyond, both from faculty and the cohort itself. His advice is to lean into discomfort, remain open to growth, and push yourself while you have the opportunity, because those who fully engage in the experience see meaningful and lasting personal and professional development. 

Gordon Fellows (left to right) Mark Andersson, Nathan Smith, Tim Parker, Amit Palkovic (current Gordon Fellow Candidate), and Zach McHugh

Looking Ahead 

Looking ahead, Zach is excited by the resurgence of retro and high-fidelity audio as well as the continued evolution of wearable audio products, particularly as they emphasize fashion, new colors and materials, and even greater customization. He is also eager to extend the collaboration and special projects framework at Bose into new luxury brands, continuing to create culturally relevant, high-quality products that sit at the intersection of technology, design, and storytelling. 

Bose and The Gordon Institute  

Bose Corporation has been a trusted partner of the Gordon Institute since 2009. Through the completion of the Gordon program and successful Challenge Projects, we’ve seen the transformation of many individuals from Bose into impactful engineering leaders who are driving change within the organization. We’re excited to see what the ever-changing future brings to our continued collaboration.