Dustin A. Dew is the Head of Innovation and Emerging Technology at Protective Life Corporation, where he leads initiatives focused on developing new ideas, capabilities, and business opportunities that drive organizational growth and transformation. With more than 15 years of experience in innovation leadership and research operations, Dustin specializes in building structured processes that turn emerging ideas into scalable solutions that deliver measurable impact.
At Protective Life, Dustin works at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and emerging technology, helping identify opportunities that improve efficiency, enable new capabilities, and support long-term business growth. His work centers on creating frameworks that help organizations generate, evaluate, and scale high-impact ideas across teams and business units.
Prior to joining Protective Life in 2022, Dustin served as Director of Research Operations at the Lakeshore Foundation, where he oversaw research programs and initiatives aimed at improving quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Earlier in his career, he managed the UAB/Lakeshore Research Collaborative, coordinating research initiatives and partnerships that advanced innovation in health and performance research.
Dustin also previously worked as Research Manager at the Appalachian State University Human Performance Laboratory, where he coordinated more than 45 research studies and contributed to data-driven initiatives focused on human performance and health outcomes.
He holds a Master’s degree in Health Education and Public Health from East Carolina University and a Bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Psychology from Appalachian State University.
With a career spanning research leadership, innovation strategy, and emerging technology initiatives, Dustin brings a unique perspective on how organizations can foster innovation, scale new ideas, and build future-ready capabilities in rapidly evolving industries.
