Our People - SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU

wdigneit@nmu.edu

William “Bill” Digneit, M.F.A. is a creative leader and educator who thrives where innovation, creativity, and education intersect. He currently serves as the Director of SISU: The Innovation Institute at Northern Michigan University (NMU), where he works with students, faculty, and community partners to turn bold ideas into real-world solutions. He is also the Department Head and Professor of Theatre & Dance at NMU, where he oversees the academic and production programs, mentors students, and teaches courses that bridge traditional theatre with emerging practices in live event and festival production.

Outside of academia, Bill has spent over a decade as a Production Manager for LDI (Live Design International), managing large-scale events in Las Vegas and Mexico. He also leads the LDI Production Assistant Program, mentoring over 40 emerging professionals annually from across the U.S. as they gain hands-on experience in the live entertainment industry.

Bill is the co-founder of Double Trouble Entertainment LLC, a Michigan-based production company specializing in live and corporate events, nightclub design, and outdoor festivals. He is also a proud co-owner of DIGS Gastropub in downtown Marquette, Michigan—where creativity and community come together around food, hospitality, and the arts.

A passionate advocate for creative entrepreneurship and experiential learning, Bill is committed to pushing boundaries, building strong collaborative teams, and mentoring the next generation of creative professionals. His personal and professional mission is rooted in a simple philosophy: if you take care of your community, your community takes care of you.

soneill@nmu.edu

Sarah calls Marquette her hometown and NMU her alma mater. After graduating in 2010 with a BS in English writing, Sarah spent time living in both Chicago and New Hampshire. During this period, she worked in marketing roles across numerous industries, specializing in digital content creation and social media management. In 2020 she returned to her Wildcat roots, currently residing as the Marketing Director for NMU University Marketing and Communications. As a member of the SISU  team, Sarah assists with marketing, promotions, and outreach efforts. 

carobert@nmu.edu

Carolyn moved from Grand Rapids, Mich. to the Marquette area in March 2021. She joined the NMU Center for Rural Health and SISU team as Senior Secretary. Carolyn has extensive experience in managing day-to-day office operations in a personable and professional manner. She is an actively engaged team member who is learning more about rural health issues. Carolyn is environmentally conscious and strives to ensure the future will be sustainable in a sociably responsible manner. 

Lloyd Young is executive director of Virginia Commonwealth University's da Vinci Center for Innovation, where she advances interdisciplinary innovation and entrepreneurship for all students. As the first woman to lead the center, Young champions "radical access to innovation," ensuring that creativity and real-world learning opportunities are available to learners regardless of background or academic major. Young is also a Visiting Scholar at SISU: The Innovation Institute at NMU.

Young co-founded the Shift Retail Lab and launched signature programs including Shelfie, Shift Magazine, and the Shift Internship Program, expanding access to innovation across disciplines. Her career spans photography, design, strategic consulting, and education, shaped by her experiential learning background at The Evergreen State College. Under her leadership, VCU's da Vinci Center focuses on stackable micro-credentials, lifelong learning pathways, and designing innovation programs for returning students and adult learners. Young envisions building an inclusive innovation ecosystem where students develop the confidence, creativity, and resilience to thrive in an unpredictable future.