Michael Limongello (’25): Advanced Technology and Diplomacy

With a solid career in business and technology, Michael Limongello came to IWP to pursue a personal interest in international affairs. What he found was an education that further honed his writing skills, empowered him to assist his clients in international decision-making more effectively, and launched him into a senior advisory role with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations.

A Career in Technology

After graduating with a degree in economics and finance from the University of Dallas (an IWP partner school), Michael Limongello began a career in technology and business.

He spent time on the technology side of the oil and gas industry, and he later led a variety of teams across Panasonic’s business portfolio. At Panasonic, he discovered a fascination for Japanese culture and customs. Meanwhile, he completed an MBA focused on technology.

Studying Statecraft During COVID

Michael learned about IWP during his time at the University of Dallas, where he had the opportunity to meet IWP founder Dr. John Lenczowski for many years. After attending a lecture Dr. Lenczowski gave at Georgia Tech about Chinese influence on college campuses through its Confucius Institutes, Michael was intrigued and ready to learn more.

After completing his MBA at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael decided to pursue his interest in international relations and diplomacy by enrolling in IWP’s Graduate Certificate program. “I was already in ‘school/study mode’ and so instead of working through my Netflix queue, I figured I’d take a class or two in propaganda.” Michael recalled, “but I quickly fell in love with the program and decided to get an M.A.”

An Advisory Role at the United Nations

When a friend of Michael’s discovered he was pursuing his M.A. at IWP, he was invited to become a Senior Policy Advisor for the United Nations, where he advises the Catholic Church’s Permanent Observer Mission on topics of international peace and security and technology.

“It is a great opportunity to have an outlet to use what I learned at IWP without having to make a hard pivot into a new career,” said Michael. “I really enjoy what I do professionally in the technology world, and I am glad to be able to serve the Holy See in this way as well.”

While the Holy See is a nonvoting member of the United Nations, as a religious organization, it advises countries within the UN and encourages them to vote in ways that reflects the Western tradition and aligns with the Church’s teachings on life, morality, and broader social issues.

Michael’s work there is largely focused on peace and security. As a policy advisor, he manages a portfolio of issues and provides updates and reports for the Holy See’s attachés and the Papal Nuncio. The Holy See’s office at the UN is not heavily staffed, and Michael has significant responsibility there.

The skills he learned at college and graduate school have helped him in this role. “Being able to synthesize lots of information and write clearly and compellingly are skills I learned at the University of Dallas and turned into overdrive at IWP,” he said. “The emphasis on communications at both schools is incredibly important.”

One significant area of focus for Michael has been the situation in Colombia. With a deep familiarity with the Church’s teachings on just war and expertise on current events in that country, Michael has supported the nuncio in his work there.

Advanced Technology Work at Teague

Meanwhile, Michael serves as Executive Director for Advanced Technology at Teague, a century-old design firm based in Seattle that has been designing vital elements of Boeing airplanes for the last 80 years.

“Our work focuses across space, defense, military, robotics, and physical AI,” said Michael. “As the only design firm with that mission-critical expertise working with Boeing, we have been able to help a variety of firms across use cases excel in their product development.”

Michael also noted that Teague’s founder, Walter Dorwin Teague  originated the concept of human-centered design. “As we enter this era of robotics and AI, it is still a really important concept and something we need to hold onto,” Michael said.

“There’s a surprising amount of overlap between what is taught at IWP and the study and practice of design. For instance, our class on Geography and Strategy emphasized our place in the natural world and the immutable realities of geography. And in many respects design is focused on how we move through the world, how we shape it and deal with everything around us.”

Recently, Michael has been working with clients on the design of humanoid robots, helping determine what they should look like, and how to account for human psychology and power dynamics.

One of the areas he has been proudest of in his professional career has been his partnership with firms that have gone through transformative product cycles, including Panasonic, Very Technology and Teague. He has helped his clients mitigate risk and bring products to market. In these projects, Michael has been guided by his MBA and his time at IWP.

“When selecting a manufacturing partner, especially overseas, it is important to understand the nuances of working in those environments,” said Michael. “At IWP, I gained a deeper understanding of different business climates around the world. The knowledge and skills I developed at IWP have helped me serve my clients more effectively.”

Advice to Current IWP Students

To new or current IWP students, Michael advises, “When it comes to your IWP experience, you will get in what you put out. Don’t miss the late nights and the readings. Spend time with professors outside of class.”

Michael points to the IWP faculty as a unique resource. “I’ve been fortunate to have been through a lot of education, and the availability of IWP professors is really wonderful,” he said. “They have operated at the highest levels of their respective professions. Do yourself the favor of getting to know them and asking them questions about their experiences.”

As an online student, Michael fostered strong connections within the IWP community. When he was taking IWP classes during COVID-19, everyone was online. He took advantage of office hours. When he traveled to D.C., he would stop by IWP’s campus to meet with professors (a practice he continues to this day).

“Don’t be shy,” he said. “The professors are there to help you. They want to see their students succeed. Find that opportunity to visit in person.”