20+ Years Experience
Leader, Educator, Mentor, UX Generalist
I’ve been creating products for clients focused on user-centered design for over 20 years. I hold four advanced degrees; a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Human Computer Interaction, an MFA in Graphic Design, and a Bachelors in Visual Communication. In addition, I pride myself on a drive towards leadership throughout my career, from being elevated to the role of Art Director at age 23 to serving in leadership roles at several companies, teaching the next generation of designers, and mentoring my staff.
Experience
Product Design Lead LPL Financial July 2023 - Present
Principal UX Designer Simple Thread September 2022 - July 2023
Senior Product Designer Kroger, Associate Experience August 2021 - August 2022
Director of User Experience Bitovi July 2019 - August 2021
Senior UX Designer Bitovi May 2016 - August 2021
Assistant Professor, Graphic Design Marshall University June 2014 - June 2016
Graphic Design Instructor, Theory, & Technology Iowa State University August 2012 - June 2014
Graduate College Information Technology Staff Iowa State University, Graduate College August 2012 - June 2014
Art Director TrainingU 24/7 January 2010 - June 2010
Consulting Interactive Product Designer Legal Visual Services May 2009 - February 2017
Art Director / Interactive Product Designer Legal Visual Services July 2006 - May 2009
Interactive Product Designer TrialGraphix August 2005 - June 2006
Art Director Administrative Resource Options March 2004 - June 2005
Expertise
Leadership & Mentorship Team management, Direction, Recruiting, Coaching, Experience with distributed teams
Soft Skills Excellent Verbal & Written Communication, Contributes across teams, Highly technical communication, Organized/detail-oriented, Enjoys presenting & sharing knowledge
User-Centered Design User research, User observation, User testing, Personas
Documentation User flows, Information architecture, Product requirements, Stakeholder presentation
Product Conceptualization Workshops, Wireframes, Requirements definition, Mockups, Prototypes
Implementation Fluent with HTML & CSS, basic vanilla JavaScript, Shipped numerous products
Education
Ph.D. Human Computer Interaction
Iowa State 2015
Dissertation: Understanding the User in Online Education
MFA Graphic Design
Iowa State 2014
Thesis: Preparing graphic design & visual communication students
MS Human Computer Interaction
Iowa State 2012
Capstone: User-Centered Design analysis through creation of a web application
BS Visual Communication Ohio University 2001
For detailed descriptions of the above roles and education, or to see more work experience dating back 20+ years, please visit my proflie on LinkedIn.