An EDI Connection
Nalat Yulong (EDI ‘15) and Sydney Bernstein (EDI ‘22) forged a strong bond because of their shared EDI experiences. Now they're applying lessons learned from the program to drive innovation at Peer Insight.
Sydney Bernstein (EDI ‘22) was going through the hiring process at boutique consulting firm Peer Insight when she first met Nalat Yulong (EDI '15).
Yulong, the company’s vice president, needed help on a client project. Knowing she and Bernstein both graduated from Northwestern's Master of Science in Engineering Design Innovation (EDI) program reassured Yulong that the soon-to-be new hire could provide the necessary strategy assistance.
"There was immediate trust," said Bernstein, who joined the company as a strategist in 2024. "I knew we had a common foundation in human-centered design. We had a shared language and way of thinking."
Today, the two collaborate on almost a daily basis at Peer insight. Bernstein works closely with clients and users, helping translate user needs into practical, feasible products that her clients can bring to life. She occasionally supports early-stage product opportunities but currently is focused on refining an in-market product to make sure it is delivering on the intended needs.
"That means shaping the product strategy," she said, "making sure it's functioning the way it should, helping transition it over to our clients so they can own it internally, and ensuring it delivers meaningful impact for both users and the business."
For Yulong, a large part of her role is advising and leading project teams. She also has business-focused responsibilities such as driving sales, setting firm strategy, and coaching peers.
"I'm still very much connected to the work as our team flows to the goal, not the role," Yulong said. "One day I might be advising clients on their innovation portfolio strategy, while another day I might be deep in product analytics and framing up insights."
Bernstein is one of the colleagues Yulong coaches, serving as both a peer adviser and mentor. In that role, she shares lessons learned from her nine-plus years at Peer Insight, much of which has been fueled by her EDI education.
Yulong said she learned valuable lessons during her time in the program that remain vital 10 years later, even as technology and processes evolve.
“Being comfortable navigating the unknown is a core and evergreen skill,” she said. “We learned how to learn as we tackle new challenges, regardless of the format they come in. Asking great questions can get you further than having the correct answers.”
Curiosity is a core value at Peer Insight. It is also what drove Bernstein to the EDI program.
Bernstein earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Northwestern in 2020. What fascinated her, though, was product development.
She craved a deeper understanding of the decision processes behind how products are created. She found that knowledge in EDI.
“Knowing that EDI was originally designed for engineers gave me confidence that I could build on my tactical skills and make a smooth transition into design,” she said. “EDI felt like a genuinely supportive community where I could leverage real-world networks and connections, opening doors for opportunities after graduation.”
Yulong helped open the door for Bernstein at Peer Insight, a firm that has helped a nonprofit create and launch digital education experiences for older adults, launch a fintech venture for a Fortune 500 company, and advised a global digital transformation strategy for a leading medtech company.
With every project the two work on at Peer Insight, they find themselves reverting back to lessons learned in EDI.
"What really prepared me for my current role was the studio-based coursework," Bernstein said. "From the very start of EDI, I was working with real clients, managing real timelines, and practicing client empathy. Developing insights that were valuable both to the users I represented and to the clients was exactly the kind of experience I'm doing every day now. That hands-on, real-world experience from EDI's studio work made the transition into my current position much smoother and made me more confident."
