[ About & Mission ]

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 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.

My journey from designer to design leader was a progression fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a growing desire to build tools and systems to complete the task at hand. As a designer, I loved diving into the craft—solving problems, creating seamless interactions, and designing thoughtful user experiences. But over time, I realized that my passion extended beyond the work itself. I found immense satisfaction in building environments where others could thrive, amplifying the impact of design through collaboration and mentorship.

Growing Into Leadership

It started organically—colleagues would ask for my feedback, whether on designs, workflows, or career challenges. I too would ask others for advice when certain manager appeared to not have our best interest at heart or how to handle certain issue at hand. I naturally stepped into a guiding role, helping others hone their skills and find clarity in their work. 

These moments made me see leadership not as a departure from design but as an evolution of it. I wasn’t just creating experiences for users; I was now shaping experiences for teams, building systems that made their work smoother, more effective, and more fulfilling. I really enjoyed the process part and making sure everyone had what they needed to be successful in their role that led to an organic servant style leadership approach. 

Over the years, I realized Design Leadership is rooted in these three area:

1. Design Operations
   Early on, I saw the importance of creating efficient, scalable systems. By building design frameworks, communication structures, and repeatable processes, I ensured teams could focus on what they do best—innovating and solving user problems—while spending less time navigating unnecessary complexities.
2. Strategy
   Transitioning into leadership deepened my understanding of how design fits into larger business goals. I focused on connecting creative work to measurable outcomes, advocating for user needs at the executive level, and ensuring that design remained a strategic driver of innovation.
3. Execution
   My foundation as a designer keeps me grounded in the practical realities of execution. I strive to equip teams with the tools, resources, and clarity they need to bring ideas to life, focusing on quality and impact while fostering collaboration.

As I’ve progressed from designer to design leader, I’ve learned that true leadership lies in empowering others to reach their potential while aligning design efforts with broader goals. By building efficient systems, advocating for user-centered strategies, and ensuring high-quality execution, I’ve created environments where creativity thrives and teams can collaborate effectively. My journey has taught me that leadership is about creating the conditions for success, both for individuals and the organization. Ultimately, design is about solving problems, but leadership is about creating the space for others to innovate, grow, and make a lasting impact.