About

I grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago. My childhood revolved around anything that moved: racing bikes, skiing, boating, three wheelers, and motorcycles. I thrived on activity and exploration, always looking for the next challenge. Weekends with my dad were eventful to say the least. Together, we built remote-control cars from scratch and dove into conversations about how things worked—whether it was mechanics or the fundamentals of business. These moments sparked my love for hands-on problem-solving and creative thinking and understanding hard work by doing. 

While I excelled in science based, experiential activities, traditional classrooms presented a challenge. My learning style didn’t align with rigid educational systems, and I spent time in special education classes. Instead of feeling discouraged, these experiences shaped my perspective, teaching me how differently people learn and process information. I became deeply aware of the unique ways individuals engage with the world around them. Teachers who embraced out-of-the-box thinkers introduced me to stories of icons like Albert Einstein and Richard Branson (later in life), who overcame their own educational hurdles by leaning into their strengths. I learned that success isn’t about fitting into a system—it’s about creating your own path.

This understanding became the foundation of my passion for design. I developed a fascination with systems—how they work, how people interact with them, and how they can be improved to meet diverse needs. Design offered a way to channel my creativity and empathy into building experiences that empower others.

In high school, I explored architecture through a University of Illinois program, where I discovered how design influences human behavior and connection. Captivated by this intersection of form and function, I pursued architecture at the University of Kansas. However, the program’s highly theoretical approach didn’t align with my learning style or creative energy. After a period of reflection and self-discovery in Colorado—where I indulged my passion for skiing and reconnected with my love for exploration—I found my way to Columbia College in Chicago.

At Columbia, everything clicked. The school’s hands-on, project-based approach to digital design allowed me to thrive. The emphasis on storytelling, collaboration, and problem-solving aligned perfectly with my strengths. During this time, I also worked at a brewery in Lincolnshire, Illinois and went from server to manager to put myself through college. I graduated in the top 1% of my class and launched my design career in Chicago and later moved to Seattle where I discovered my true passion for product design at Microsoft crafting inclusive, user-centered experiences that align to people needs. I was fortunate to be guided by some great folks at Microsoft and never looked back. 

My experiences throughout life didn’t just shape my career—they defined my values. I believe that design should celebrate human diversity, adapt to different needs, and empower people to engage with systems in ways that feel natural to them. One of my favorite moments occurs during research when we usually says, “We’re not testing you; we’re testing the system.” It’s a simple yet powerful reminder that poorly designed systems—not users—are often the root of frustration. Good design shifts blame away from individuals and toward solving systemic issues and makes me think of my early childhood education living in a cog but unlike those geared towards the masses, I now get to create stuff that is tailored to the individual. 

Key Learnings: 

1. Empathy is foundational: Understanding diverse perspectives is essential to creating better systems and experiences.
2. Learning is personal: There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to growth, and design should reflect this diversity.
3. Success is about alignment: When you find an environment that fits your strengths, you thrive.
4. Challenges build resilience: Obstacles can fuel creativity and lead to unexpected growth.
5. Design shapes lives: Great systems adapt to people, not the other way around.