Creative Sparks: Life at Studio Science | Steve Pruden

In Creative Sparks: Life at Studio Science, we spotlight the people who bring our work to life - the problem-solvers, the collaborators, and the makers behind meaningful experiences. This series shines a light on what inspires our team: the creativity, curiosity, and everyday moments that make Studio Science a uniquely human place to grow and do great work.

Meet Steve Pruden, CEO of Studio Science, and a steady force behind the culture, vision, and energy that shape our work. A lifelong collaborator at heart, Steve leads with a belief that none of us are as smart as all of us - a value that shows up in how he brainstorms, listens, and pushes teams to do their best work together.

As CEO, he brings a simplifying mindset to complex problems, a deep sense of responsibility to the people who choose to work here, and a genuine passion for helping clients tackle their hardest challenges. Steve is driven by growth - his own, our team’s, and the many careers that have taken shape within and beyond Studio Science.

Grounded, people-focused, and endlessly curious, he helps create an environment where great work and great humans thrive side by side.

Kathleen Armbruster: Why do you like working for Studio Science? What makes you proud to be part of the team? 

Steve Pruden: What makes me proud to be part of Studio Science is that we’re genuinely great at what we do - and we choose to be. We don’t aim for “good enough”; we aim to be the best in our space. That creates a real sense of pride for me, because it pushes me to show up as the best version of myself so I can support our team in doing outstanding work.

At my core, I’m a simplifier. I love taking something complicated and making it clearer and more effective. This industry challenges me in exactly that way, and that challenge is energizing. It’s one of the big reasons I feel proud to be part of this team.

Kathleen Armbruster: What does it mean to you to be part of the Studio Science team? 

Steve Pruden: I’ve been doing this work for a long time now, and as adults, we spend most of our waking hours working. Because of that, it really matters who you spend that time with. At Studio Science, we have a team full of people that I genuinely want to spend time with.

They’re enjoyable to be around, intrinsically motivated, and committed to doing great work for our clients. Not every day is perfect, but even on the tougher days, people still show up with a smile and a good attitude. That kind of energy makes a huge difference. It’s one of the things that makes this team unique and why I get genuinely excited to work with them.

Kathleen Armbruster: What are some of the reasons you choose to stay at Studio Science?

Steve Pruden: Even in my role, working here is optional - I choose to be here. And I apply that same perspective to everyone on our team. People are choosing to spend their time with us, and I take that responsibility seriously as CEO.

I stay because the work challenges me in the best ways. Our team pushes me, our clients push me, and I genuinely enjoy digging into different business models and helping organizations solve their hardest problems. When our collective experience can make a meaningful difference, it’s incredibly energizing - it makes work feel more like a hobby than a job.

At the end of the day, I get to work with great people on interesting, impactful work while living the life I want to live. I’m a big believer in work to live, not live to work. If your work is fulfilling, the rest of life tends to follow. That’s why I choose to stay here.

Kathleen Armbruster: Can you share a favorite Studio Science memory with us? 

Steve Pruden: I’ll give you a less typical answer. Some of my favorite “memories” at Studio Science are really the moments when I’ve seen people grow in their careers. I love watching team members lean into new challenges, explore different types of work, and make big transitions because they felt supported to try. Those kinds of leaps are incredibly rewarding.

Another thing that stands out to me is seeing what our alumni go on to do. When someone chooses a new path, it’s meaningful to watch how they take what they learned here and build something they’re proud of. Knowing Studio Science played a part in their journey is something that sticks with me.

The big project wins and major deal announcements fade quickly. It’s the people - their growth, their confidence, and the springboard this place can give them - that create the memories with the most lasting value.

Kathleen Armbruster: Our core values are: 1. Honesty is the only policy 2. None of us are smart as all of us 3. Being great as a choice. Which core value do you feel you exemplify most in your day-to-day work?

Steve Pruden: The value that comes most naturally to me is teamwork - none of us are as smart as all of us. That idea is just ingrained in who I am. I do my best work when I’m collaborating, brainstorming openly, and bouncing ideas around. Honestly, it probably comes from being an identical twin and always having someone next to me growing up to ask, “What do you think about this?” or “How would you look at it?”

I don’t like working in a vacuum. Sometimes in my role, that open brainstorming can catch people off guard - they wonder if I’m dictating something. But most of the time, I’m simply thinking out loud and looking for a smart thought partner.

This value extends to how we work with clients, too. We bring a lot of experience to the table, but they know their business better than anyone. We can learn so much by listening first. A close friend once told me, “You have two ears and one mouth - use them in that proportion.” That’s stuck with me, and it’s something I try to embody every day.

Want to learn even more about Life at Studio Science? Or think you’d like to join the team someday? Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected with the news and events at Studio Science and check out our careers page to see what role we're looking to hire.