EXPERIENCE

Strategic Research Analyst, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
February 2024 - current - Boston, MA

• Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of higher education industry governance in order to inform efficient institutional policy redirection.

• Researching industry trends in order to assess impact on organizational strategy.

• Gathering data from internal and external sources to develop user insights into business strategy.

• Designing and testing processes to restructure various university policies against established benchmarks.

• Collaborating with cross-functional teams across 17+ departments to design and implement effective strategies.

Lead UX Researcher, SimpliSafe
March 2024 - July 2024 - Boston, MA

• Leading participant recruitment for usability tests through online platforms and communities.

• Developing effective testing scenarios for evaluating the comprehension and efficiency of new features and redesigns.

• Gathering feedback from stakeholders and users through usability studies and other methods to inform product design decisions.

• Synthesizing datasets into actionable insights to support meaningful changes for target audiences.

• Documenting research findings in reports to clearly communicate the insights and recommendations extracted from research studies.

Sr. Strategic UX Researcher, Ippon Technologies
January 2023 - August 2023 - Melbourne, Australia

• Developed and maintained UX operational repository, reported on key metrics, identified areas of opportunity, and developed strategies to improve them.

• Performed deep heuristic evaluations assessing the usability of digital products and services using industry-specific principles

• Synthesized large amounts of data into actionable insights that drove meaningful changes in business roadmaps to meet users needs.

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams (designers, engineers, product managers, marketers, etc.) to ensure cohesive and relevant user experiences across all products.

• Utilized analytics tools and incorporated technical considerations into project plans (budgets, equipment, resourcing, performance requirements, risk management, etc.).

• Performed root cause and risk analyses on operational issues encountered during day-to-day activities.

Sr. Strategic UX Researcher, Symplicit
March 2021 - February 2023 - Melbourne, Australia

• Created and maintained client-facing research repository, documenting findings and insights gained from research studies.

• Facilitated stakeholder workshops to discuss research plans and clarify outcomes, driving product strategy decisions.

• Advised design teams on accessibility issues through development and delivery processes.

• Planned and led user interviews to understand customer needs and pain points, while leveraging qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques.

• Collaborated with research directors in design, testing, and reporting of research projects.

Sr. User Experience Design Instructor, General Assembly
December 2020 - April 2021 - Denver, Colorado

• Collaborated with other educators to develop and prepare advanced approaches to instruction.

• Created a learning-focused environment and co-led lectures and assignments, helping students in small groups and 1:1 grasp course content and integrate learning outcomes.

• Monitored student progress, encouraging active participation from all, and adapted instruction accordingly.

• Coached students in understanding and implementing difficult concepts through hands-on learning and group projects.

• Communicated effectively with administrators, colleagues, parents and guardians, and community members.

UX Researcher and Designer, DigIO
August 2019 - February 2020 - Melbourne, Australia

• Developed effective testing scenarios for AI and ML usability and evaluation projects.

• Analyzed usage patterns of existing products by conducting A and B tests and measuring KPIs such as conversion rates, engagement metrics.

• Identified gaps in current designs through competitive analyses of competitor's websites or apps.

• Participated in agile sprint cycles by providing feedback on prototypes and designs during development stages.

• Developed Web site maps, application models, image templates, and page templates to meet project goals, user needs, and industry standards.

User Experience Design Instructor, General Assembly
November 2018 - December 2019 - Melbourne, Australia

• Taught design students how to implement interactive UX elements into the product interface.

• Led and facilitated lessons on UX methods and techniques to students of various backgrounds.

• Identified and suggested creative sources to help students grasp complex subjects or concepts.

• Assisted students in developing portfolios that showcased their best work and highlighted their unique talents in UX design.

• Evaluated student performance regularly through quizzes, tests, presentations, critiques., providing constructive feedback along the way.

• Provided individualized feedback on student projects to help them improve their technical skills.

Strategic UX Researcher and Designer, The Creative Factory
April 2019 - September 2019 - Melbourne, Australia

• Synthesized large amounts of user data into actionable insights that provided meaningful changes for internal resourcing.

• Created efficient testing scenarios for evaluating the effectiveness of new features and redesigns.

• Developed and delivered strategic advice on how best to integrate UX principles into overall business objectives.

• Analyzed usage patterns of existing products by conducting A and B tests and measuring KPIs such as conversion rates, engagement metrics.

• Utilized various analytics tools to measure website performance and visitor behavior.

UX Researcher and Designer, Good Human
April 2019 - July 2019 - Melbourne, Australia

• Created and implemented UX operations framework for team build out.

• Facilitated stakeholder workshops to discuss research results in order to drive product strategy decisions.

• Advised on accessibility issues when designing interfaces taking into account disabilities and cultural differences.

• Led participant recruitment and successfully conducted extensive research and data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and develop projections.

• Applied outcome-focused and effective solutions for product design, visuals, and UX to meet needs of unique web development projects.

UX Operations Designer, Backen Gillam Architects
April 2018 - November 2018 - Sausalito, California

• Managed multiple projects simultaneously by writing project roadmaps (deadlines, assigning tasks, resourcing, tracking progress, sprint planning).

• Researched and analyzed market trends to inform design decisions.

• Developed creative solutions to complex design challenges while working collaboratively with architects, directors, and client stakeholders.

• Collaborated closely with teams of architects throughout the entire development process.

• Developed applicable testing scenarios for evaluating the effectiveness of new features and offerings.

UX Researcher and Designer, Fiduciary Plan Governance, DLC Capital
February 2018 - October 2018 - Boston, MA

• Managed relationships with suppliers and customers to develop cost-effective packages for online services and features.

• Designed effective surveys for collecting data from target populations.

• Identified problems uncovered by testing and customer feedback.

• Determined design requirements and analyzed user feedback to improve design quality.

• Gathered data from a variety of sources, including surveys, interviews and public records.

User Experience Designer, Plaid Body Project
June 2013 - September 2018 - Boston, Massachusetts

• Documented research findings and processes related to design workflows, project timelines and deliverables.

• Collaborated with embedded cross-functional teams and stakeholders to define product requirements and aligned UX strategy with business objectives.

• Designed intuitive navigation systems that enhanced usability across multiple platforms.

• Developed user interface designs with a focus on usability, accessibility and mobile-first principles.

• Analyzed site metrics such as page views, clicks per page, time spent on pages, to identify areas of improvement.

FORMAL EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Holistic Psychology 
Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2010

CERTIFICATIONS

UX Writing in Practice, Documentation and Process - Udemy, 2023
Advanced UX Research Methods - Center Centre, 2022
SCRUM Master - Scrum Alliance, 2021
Psychology of Interaction Design - Interaction Design Foundation, 2019
Visual Design - General Assembly, 2018
User Experience Design Intensive - General Assembly, 2017
UX and UI Design, HTML5, CSS3 - Santa Rosa Jr. College, 2016
UX Design, Web Development, Ruby on Rails - TTS, 2014
200-hr Yoga Teacher Certification - Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, 2009

skills

Qual/Quant Research Methods
Research Operations
Data Analysis
Human-Computer Interaction
Information Architecture
Accessibility and Service Design
Risk Management and Analysis

Collaborative
Adaptable
Perceptive
Critical Thinker
Calm Under Pressure

volunteer experience

LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Mentor, Drummond Street Services
February 2021 - September 2023 - Melbourne, Australia

Participated in LGBTIQA+ Mentoring Projects, a peer-support program fostering community resilience and assistance networks. As a mentor, providing weekly support, relevant skills, and knowledge to assigned mentees. Organized engaging activities and facilitated community connections through one-on-one mentorship.

Elderly Companion for Tech-Inclusivity, Brotherhood of St Laurence
January 2019 - January 2020 - Melbourne, Australia

Companion for disabled elderly with a focus on those with substance abuse and mental illness history. Built trust and offered consistent support. Created computer-learning classes for assisted living residents, emphasizing technology for connection and reducing loneliness. Inspired by a deep respect for older individuals, aimed to address feelings of isolation in an often-overlooked group.

Program Coordinator - Yoga for Traumatic Disorders, Spontaneous Celebrations
October 2008 - April 2012 - Boston, Massachusetts

Led after-school yoga classes for youth (ages 8-18) from challenging home-life situations and adoption/placement systems. Emphasized support and guidance through the extended-care program, co-creating educational programs on nutrition, health, and mindfulness. Organized workshops, meetings, and training sessions. Managed program database with participant information and metrics.