My passion for design began in the late 90s with early experiments in digital art—think Geocities sites and MySpace profiles.
After graduating college with a dual degree in graphic and multimedia design, I've spent over 15 years working as a UX designer, and the past six as a design manager.
When your friends and family introduce you as someone who "does computers"
After being diagnosed with ADHD in my thirties, I've discovered unique strengths that have shaped my perspective and approach to work. My heightened empathy allows me to connect deeply with users and colleagues, while my pattern recognition skills enable me to anticipate potential challenges. My creativity and abstract thinking fuel innovative and unique solutions, and hyperfocus allows me to tackle tasks with efficiency and precision. In addition, my strong sense of justice and commitment to fairness drive my leadership style, ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued.
I have a proven track record of collaborating with cross-functional product and development leaders from discovery to launch to deliver successful B2B, B2C, and SaaS projects across diverse industries like fintech, transportation, real estate, freight, architecture, nonprofit, and productivity.
Me answering my team with “it depends” for the millionth time this week
Throughout my career, I've collaborated with renowned brands including Uber, GitHub, Slack, Varo Bank, and Perkins + Will, leading design teams to build and ship innovative and impactful products.
My UX practice combines product design, design thinking, user research, and experience strategy to craft products that spark joy, inspire, and empower folks.
My favorite part of the job is working directly with users and unravelling the threads of their experiences. I also excel at working through complex use cases that force me outside of my comfort zone. In addition, I enjoy the experimental phases of design, which allow me the freedom to explore and create without limitations. I especially enjoy projects with a focus on social good, accessibility, or AI/ML. My "special sauce" combines human-centered systems thinking and adaptability, along with compassion and approachability.
This might be actual footage of me mapping a user journey
As a leader with over 6 years of experience, I build happy, high-performing teams and cultivate a culture of continuous learning. It's important to me that my team's unique perspectives are shared, and that they have the tools and support they need to excel. I lead with kindness, respect, trust, and enthusiasm and I embrace each new challenge with pragmatic optimism.
On the strategy side, I'm great at helping startups and small businesses grow their design practices. This includes establishing a design process, hiring a team, partnering with stakeholders to define product strategy, and delivering designs that drive growth.
One does not simply build a solid design practice
While I'm comfortable managing design teams, I've found that I prefer more of a player/coach role over 100% human management—I’m equally passionate about staying close to the craft. My ideal split is 80% leadership, 20% hands-on design work.
Unbothered. Moisturized. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing.
Most recently I worked as the Head of Design at Wagestream, where I hired and led a team of multidisciplinary designers in the development of a robust, scalable design system while driving a complete product redesign. This work resulted in Wagestream gaining 3 large clients serving over 150,000 employees, in addition to a 92% profit increase over the previous year.
Like many tech companies in the last year, Wagestream restructured its operations leading to the layoff of the entire US product team. Despite the difficult circumstances, I was fortunate to have a financial cushion that allowed me to take a break.
Not working full time has pushed me to start exercising regularly, given me time to learn new skills in new tech like AI and Webflow, and has allowed me to focus on personal and freelance design projects that give me all of the dopamine.
Companies creating fake urgency, leading to burnout because they won't plan or manage resources properly
Me, prioritizing my mental and physical health knowing that if we don't work over the weekend, literally no one will die
I've also been working on changing my perspective on hustle culture, burnout, rest, and what truly matters in my life. Now, at 40, I'm healthier than I've ever been and I feel fulfilled creatively in a way I didn't know was possible. I'm happily focused on working with orgs that provide a true culture fit, where:
I'm currently focusing on freelance projects, consulting, and contract work that's interesting to me, or allows me to make a social impact. I'm also open to going full-time again for the right gig, so if you feel like I would be a good match for an opening, feel free to contact me. I always enjoy meeting new folks!
I excel in being able to zoom in and out—toggling between a systems lens and a human lens, helping me identify interconnected relationships and design solutions that address the entire user journey, not just isolated touchpoints.
I can easily adjust my strategy based on changing circumstances. I work iteratively, and am open to diverse feedback. I promote resilience and a growth mindset within my teams.
I'm able to quickly and easily build trust with folks, leading to valuable insights into their experiences and enabling me to truly understand their needs.
