Design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s a critical aspect of achieving business objectives. I lead product teams in design and research to get us there. I excel at identifying challenges, influencing product strategy, and collaborating across teams for effective solutions.
My previous work as a product designer and as a consultant have helped me build strong business partnerships with all levels of stakeholders. And all the while, I have mentored colleagues, students, and workshop attendees alike, helping us all get where we need to be.
Here are a few examples:
IRS Direct File
The goal
Produce an extremely high profile and high value application for the IRS in a ludicrously short amount of time. Also meet a high bar for accessibility.
My role
I led all strategy and delivery for accessibility (508) to ensure this launched with an optimized experience for people with disabilities. As the design principal from Truss, I managed our design/research relationship with our partners in this $4M contract. I also led the design response to the procurement process to win our contract.
Results
A landmark moment in government software and how people file taxes, and exceptionally accessible to boot!
Unemployment insurance
The goal
Deliver a pilot project to transform the unemployment insurance (UI) experience for all states, starting with New Jersey
My role
I led design and research for Truss’ part of this effort, particularly in visual and interaction design, content design, research, and accessibility. I have also been key personnel in seeking follow-up contracts with Truss’ sales team.
Results
We launched the new experience and delivered a UX report lauded by our government stakeholders as a “standard” to continue building by.
Blockchain Invoicing for TradeLens
The problem
How might we prove IBM’s blockchain platform can work for our industry clients? And how might we help them tackle wicked problems?
My role
I worked with a PM and chief technical architect at IBM to launch a blockchain-based system to address dispute resolutions through smart contracts. I helped guide the initial strategic approach, building research artifacts along the way to bridge both business and user impact. Through the next year and a half, I designed the entire product and oversaw its implementation.
Results
We were featured at THINK 2019, IBM’s flagship conference. We also patented the underlying supply-chain service technology for automated conflict resolution.
Should designers PM?
The goal
Explore the overlap of design and product management (PM)
My role
This was an essay I wrote as I explored my career path options. I found a significant amount of overlap between design and PM, and described where an individual may work in either domain depending on project and career needs.
Results
Republished on UX Collective—a very popular UX blog—where it received hundreds of claps and comments.