Detail-oriented and curious experience researcher with 15+ years transforming complex human problems into actionable business strategies through mixed-methods reserach.
I specialize in designing and executing research that directly shapes product decisions across banking & finance, enterprise & SMB software, retail, entertainment, automotive, and telecom industries. My expertise spans global payments, investments, pricing strategies, subscription models, and platform development.
I thrive on rigorous methodology and cross-functional collaboration. From instituting company-wide journey mapping systems and voice of customer models to building research repositories and organizational personas, I've established foundational frameworks that scale insights across teams. Currently exploring how AI agents and LLMs can accelerate analysis and surface deeper user insights.
While I've held leadership roles, my passion lies in hands-on research and strategy work - uncovering what users truly need, activating institutional curiosity, and ensuring experiences are built with empathy and evidence. I excel in fast-paced environments working alongside designers, PMs, engineers, and data scientists where adaptability and curiosity drive results.
UX Researchers Guild
agency director/ lead Researcher/ co-founder (current)
The UX Research Guild is a community of independent research professionals united by a shared passion for all things research. I act as both a research lead and practitioner on client projects and a leader of the community focused on matching researchers with work opportunities.
Conducted generative and evaluative research for clients in fast-paced environments
Designed and implemented research that balances scrappy, rapid methods with rigor and reliability.
Autodesk
Director of Experience Research → Senior Manager → Manager → Principal Researcher (2018 - 2024)
At Autodesk, I led multi-method research teams through transformative shifts in digital platforms, subscription models, and AI-driven insights—expanding my team fourfold and building a company-wide research infrastructure that continues to influence customer experience, pricing, and revenue operations. My leadership extended beyond research execution to fostering an insights-driven culture, aligning stakeholders across business units, and guiding executive teams through data-backed strategic decisions.
Scaled a multi-method research team from 4 to 15 members, supporting product, marketing, sales, digital platforms, employee experience and go-to-market revenue operations.
Built a company-wide research repository consolidating insights since 2016, streamlining access to competitive intelligence and customer insights.
Pioneered AI-driven research processes, integrating AI agents to accelerate insights and expand reach.
Chaired the Research Leadership Council, aligning research with corporate strategy and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
Shaped pricing and subscription model decisions with customer trust and perception research.
Designed and executed mixed-methods studies (usability testing, in-depth interviews, surveys, and data analysis) to inform product strategy across multiple design tools.
Partnered closely with designers, PMs, engineers, analysts and executive leadership to translate user insights into clear product recommendations and roadmap decisions.
Led end-to-end research projects from scoping to synthesis, delivering insights that directly shaped digital experiences used by millions.
Conducted rapid research sprints to deliver insights within days or weeks, enabling agile iteration and faster decision-making.
While leading a team, stayed deeply hands-on in research execution, ensuring rigor and delivering direct impact.
Built a company-wide customer panel and participant community, establishing a closed-loop feedback system to drive user-driven pricing and product decisions.
Developed persona frameworks and journey mapping strategies to align research insights with go-to-market execution.
Established new formats for delivering research insights, ensuring accessibility for senior executives and cross-functional teams.
Led go-to-market business model research, shaping strategic decisions on licensing, pricing, and customer engagement.
scansioN
vp of strategy (2015 - 2018)
Scansion is a boutique innovation strategy and research consultancy specializing in customer- or user-centered experience design, insights, and strategy. As both practitioner and managing partner, I wear multiple hats at the company and act as the knowledge expert in business strategy and analytics. We embrace a multi-disciplinary approach and collaborative working style both internally and with clients and external partners. My role includes:
Acting as project and engagement lead for major client projects, including the scoping of proposals (RFP process), project design & management, and client management.
Lead strategy and research activities, including
Vendor/partner management
Creation of screeners, interview discussion guides & testing exercises
Competitive analysis & benchmarking studies
Generation & synthesis of key insights
Storyboards & annotated UX wireframes
Prototypes & proof of concept videos
Frameworks, journey maps, strategic roadmaps
Creation of final reports, presentations, and white papers
Lead and design project activities, including
Expert and executive stakeholder interviews
Co-creation and socialization workshops
Primary research through ethnography, IDIs, focus groups, ride- or shop-alongs, in-person intercepts
Survey design & final data analysis
Develop new company capabilities, including strategic foresight, market trends and forecasting, scenario analysis, and built the prototype of an experience tracking tool.
favorite medium
Director of strategy (2013 - 2015)
Favorite Medium is a global design and development agency where I lead product strategy efforts and acted as a project manager and account lead. My role was to:
Develop and implement the product strategy offering.
Act as account lead, project manager and occasionally technical project manager for agile development sprints.
Support corporate strategy efforts, key business reporting to the CEO and Principals.
Provide design and business strategy consulting services
General oversight of accounting and CRM tools
Day to day management of financial record keeping and systems management
Conduct market research when needed
Provide guidance on project scoping and proposal writing
Represent Favorite Medium services and team
Hot Studio
Director of Business Management (2011 - 2013)
At Hot Studio, I was in charge of managing all aspects of the day to day business activities of a two studio, $16 million design consultancy. My role went beyond just business operations; I was key to turning the business around and making it profitable and efficient. Some of my responsibilities included:
Developing and maintaining revenue models, annual budgets, monthly revenue forecasts, corporate level business strategies and initiatives, and high level scenario analysis driving top line revenue growth and net margin improvement
Creating and managing key operational systems, processes and reporting methodologies such as sales pipeline reporting, job pricing and management, project actualization, staff utilization and efficiency, project resourcing, freelancer budget tracking, marketing management
Implementing a primary system to manage pipeline opportunities, project profitability and time keeping, staff resourcing, accounting and expenses, financial reporting, marketing and client contacts
Developed and refined sales pipeline tracking process and account development methodology, resulting in a 20% increase in quarterly gross revenue
Implementing business processes and providing data driven analytics/reporting to support the executive leadership team in effective and timely decision making
Working closely with department leads to coordinate efficient resourcing needs on projects and support strategic business initiatives
Managing and negotiating client contracts and procurement relationships
Creating and managing financial, process and contractual aspects of all freelancer and vendor relationships
Overseeing external financial advisor relationships and reporting to bank partners and tax advisory
Implementing online credit and cash management controls and facilities
California College of the Arts
Masters of Business Administration in Design Strategy (2009 - 2011)
My graduating thesis project was to create a business plan and pitch for a company we would create in the hopes of venture funding. Our project was selected as the top finalist out of the class and was eventually pitched to venture capital firms on Sandhill Road.
Balances the perspectives of systems thinking, integrative design thinking, sustainability, innovation, corporate finance and accounting, entrepreneurship, brand strategy, scenario planning and analysis, and generative leadership in a holistic strategic framework
Focuses on the study of design techniques, including customer-centered research, prototyping, critique, and iteration, and well as business metrics
Frog Design
Program Analyst/ manager (2009 - 2011)
As a blend between a Program Manager and Business Analyst, I acted as the liaison between the project world and finance operations. I balanced my time at frog with a full time academic commitment to the Design Strategy MBA.
Designed, developed, and rolled out to eight studios (including international) the financial estimating and tracking tool for the business development and program management team.
Streamlined pipeline and forecasting processes for smooth project initiation across two major client accounts
Created financial and business analysis and reporting for the executive team, including profitability reporting
Supported multi-disciplinary proposal teams with writing proposals and scoping project plans and contracts
Oversaw day to day relationships in support of client services, major account management and managed single track program teams
Created efficiencies in PM and operational methods and trained teams across multiple studio locations
Travel Sabbatical
(backpacked around the world 8/08 - 2/09)
Transparent House
Director of Business Development (2007 - 2008)
Marketed and priced projects to created 3D digital renderings and animations to architecture firms, real estate developers, interior designers, industrial designers, and other animation studios
Created new relationships with top 20% of targeted prospects and closed four of firms's largest projects
Developed a pipeline of work by identifying, engaging, and tracking prospects through research, industry events, direct outreach, and networking
Closed business with top real estate development firms bringing a 55% increase in revenue
Expanded client base by 30% and deepened existing client relationships
Engaged and stewarded key contact through initial qualifying conversations to project kick-off and post project follow-up
NYPPEX Private Markets
Senior Vice President (2007)
Developed pipeline of opportunities through direct outreach to executive officers of private firms and General Partners of Venture Capital and Private Equity funds
Established the early presence of the West Coast office
Wells Fargo Bank
After nearly seven years at Wells Fargo, I have been able to touch on everything ranging from in-depth database architecture, reporting and querying to working on a sales and trading desk to traveling the country to bring financial products to market. I spent my early years doing quantitative analysis for the International Banking division, then moved to the sales side of the business acting as an advising specialist in alternative asset classes and options. I became an expert in creating structured financial products and partnered with multiple bank channels to introduce a new product to market.
Derivatives Sales Representative (2005 - 2007)
Priced and created structured investment product offerings for wealth management sales force
Marketed investment offerings through brokerage offices by conducting educational seminars in regional sales meetings
Increased product offerings by 500% in 6 months and increased year over year revenue by $16 million
Implemented new product line offerings to retail market, tested initially in Losa Angeles market then launched nationally to retail branches through personal bankers
Foreign Exchange Sales Specialist (2005)
Provided client services and strategic recommendations to corporate clients on currency exchange rate hedging strategies
Executed FX hedging transactions by pricing and covering trades on behalf of a $30MM+ portfolio of corporate clients
Created educational presentations, technical analysis and option strategy tools for top clients within territory
Business Analyst (2003 - 2005)
Provided key financial and business analysis to executive management of the International Division, including forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning
Design options training initiatives and built currency exchange rate and derivatives models
Risk Analyst (2002 - 2003)
Created daily profit and loss model and trading credit limit monitoring system to leverage greater control over operational procedures
Accounting Specialist and Investigator (2001 - 2002)
Maintained global interbank accounting and payment systems