As a maker of design interventions, I sit at the nexus of service design, UX design, and product management. I help organizations cope with complex adaptive system change using design. I’ve always been driven to help people thrive in difficult situations and bring people together using design. I’m open to mediums and how they need to evolve to meet the complex challenges we face now and in the future. I was lucky enough to teach about user research, helping a new generation of designers by understanding how to interview user at Civic Hall.
Background
Born and raised in beautiful Toronto, Ontario, Canada, I grew up with technology at an early age – in grade 5 as a participant in the ‘CSILE’ (computer-supported intentional learning environments) study at the University of Toronto’s OISE (Ontario Studies in Education) program. Computers have been a constant in my life, but also the arts – be it French horn or experiments in baking, which were less successful than the horn.
I grew up not far from the University of Toronto, where I graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts in 1999, with a major from the ‘Ethics Society and Law program at Trinity College and minors in philosophy and psychoanalytic thought. That undergraduate education taught me to hone my critical thinking and ask why, a skill I’ve used every day of my career. I also have two certificates – one from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information Sciences/’iSchool’ program (Certificate in Information Design) and Centennial College (Certificate in Web Development). These led me to design and technology and eventually graduate school, which I attended to earn a MFA in Transdisciplinary Design at Parsons School of Design at the New School.
Experience
I’ve been professionally consulting since graduating, primarily in user experience design, doing research, analysis, and design for various clients – from startups to governments, from nonprofits to large corporations, and always with the same passion, expertise, and enthusiasm for design solutions. I’m also passionate about strategy, femtech, social innovation, immersive experiences and civic design.
I’m excited about immersive experiences, femtech, wearables, and inclusive design. When I’m not designing I’m usually around town going to events, taking classes, hunting down coffee and croissants and helping out where I can in my community groups.
Leadership
Leadership is managing the day-to-day tactical level with an eye to what the strategic level for the future asks of us. It’s also about how to support your fellow humans – to show up for them, support them, cheerlead for them, and love them.
Leading with heart and head
Leadership isn’t just how you manage but your philosophy on interactions with every person. Some examples of my leadership experience include:
- Business development: Crafting the narrative and design of proposals and RFQs and delivering sales pitches.
- Expertise via sharing: Knowledge sharing is about opening a dialogue with community. I’ve been interviewed and spoken on panels about design and civic tech and have been published online in various design publications. One of the biggest joys of my career was teaching user research and prototyping at Civic Hall Labs as part of the CivicXcel civic tech incubator.
- Performance management: Evaluating performance isn’t just assessing skills but providing direction on improving while being empathetic and a cheerleader for their growth. I’ve done this throughout my career as the solo designer on a team and at Thoughtworks as a mentor and manager also involved in hiring designers. I also actively mentor designers via ADP List and volunteer as a Subject Matter Expert in research and design and judging at multiple hackathons.
Leadership goals
My goals include:
- Business development: continue to refine my arguments about the value of design
- Leading design at a company: supporting product managers and designers with skills development and mentorship, and evangelizing and scaling out DesignOps, ProductOps, and ResearchOps.
- Entrepreneurship: I love bringing something new to market. My entrepreneurial mindset has included exploring side projects, and I’d love to bring something to life in the wellness space.