Resume

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Summary


  • Twenty five years’ experience in the design industry

  • Fifteen years’ experience leading high performing teams.

  • Dedicated team player with excellent communication and problem-solving skills

  • Passionate customer advocate

  • Extensive experience with design process and research methods

  • Solid education in user-centered design and design management

 

Experience

2021 – Present: Microsoft, Redmond, WA.

Principal Design Manager, Developer Division

I lead design for the Visual Studio family including Visual Studio, VS Code and Visual Studio for Education. I am also a co-chair for the Microsoft Design Community.

My role includes:

  • Leading a global team of designers.

  • Leading key design initiatives including GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio and VS Code.

  • Driving collaboration between Developer Division and Microsoft design teams.

  • Organizing Microsoft Design Week. An internal conference with 3k attendees.

  • Fostering a Design culture within Developer Division.


2020 – 2021: Google, Seattle, WA.

Design Manager, Google Cloud Platform

Design leadership on Google’s Cloud Marketplace and Commerce Platform.

My role included: 

  • Leading a cross-discipline team of UX researchers and designers. 

  • Design leadership across Google’s Cloud Commerce Platform. 

  • Collaborating with cross functional partners to deliver on Cloud Marketplace strategy. 

  • Trained as a Google Sprint Master.


2015 – 2019: Amazon, Seattle, WA.

Senior Design Manager, Amazon Web Services

Responsible for multiple AWS services including CloudFormation, Pinpoint and AWS Enterprise Apps.

  • Formed and led a team of 12 UX designers and researchers. 

  • Launched Amazon Chime, the primary video/chat app for Amazon. 

  • Drove an initiative to train non-designers on portfolio reviews and designer interviews.

  • Defined the brand and vision for AWS enterprise apps. 

  • Led design for multiple AWS services including CloudFormation, CloudTrail and Pinpoint.

 

2010 – 2015: Microsoft, Redmond, WA.

Senior Design Manager, Office.com, Office 365

Responsible for calendar and productivity experiences in Office 365. Responsible for Office.com and Office 2013 Templates.

  • Defined the UX vision for Office.com and Office 365 experiences. 

  • Received a design patent for calendar events and timelines. 

  • Led and managed the creation of 300+ Office 2013 templates.  

  • Conducted recruiting and team building activities. 

  • Hired and managed design vendors and budgets.


2006 – 2010: POP, Seattle, WA.

User Experience Manager

POP is a fast-paced, dynamic interactive agency with a prestigious national and international client roster.  I was hired as an Information Architect, promoted to Senior Information Architect and then User Experience Manager.

  • Led a team of 5 UX architects.  

  • Facilitated design workshops with clients to understand business needs/user goals.  

  • Defined UX strategy for clients including Target, The Royal Albert Hall and Microsoft. 

  • Produced user flows, site architectures and wireframes. 


2004 – 2006: WatchGuard Technologies Inc. Seattle, WA.

Senior User Interaction Designer

As a Senior User Interaction Designer, I was responsible for all elements of the user experience for the company’s websites & web applications. Translated business requirements into effective user experiences. Produced wireframes, sitemaps, and prototypes. Conducted user research including card sorts and user interviews.


2002 – 2004: Adaptis Inc. Seattle, WA.

Senior User Interface Designer

Responsible for the user interface, visual design and usability of the company’s suite of healthcare applications. Incorporated a user-centered design methodology to the Adaptis software development lifecycle. Developed personas and conducted usability tests, contextual inquiries, and user task analysis.


2000 – 2002: NetUPDATE Inc.  Redmond, WA.

Product Design Manager

Promoted to Product Design Manager from Product Designer within 6 months and managed two to five designers. I led the team in the visual design and UI design of NetUPDATE’s applications.


1999 – 2000: Ignia LLC / Microsoft Vendor, Redmond, WA

Design Lead

Promoted from Web Designer to Design Lead, I was responsible for the design of the Microsoft Direct Access and Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider (MCSP) websites. 

 

Education

2014 - 2017 Staffordshire University, United Kingdom

MA Design Management

Final Thesis - Integrating Design: What are the drivers required to integrate a design team into a technology company?

2013 - University of Washington

JavaScript Programming

2008 - 2009 University of Washington

Graduate Certificate – Design Firm Leadership & Management

2003 - 2004 University of Washington

Graduate Certificate – User Centered Design

1997, 1999 & 2010 - School of Visual Concepts

HTML/Web Design, Flash, Photoshop

1993 - 1995 Seattle Central Community College

Two-Year Certificate in Graphic Design and Illustration