I care about how my work affects the lives of others, as well as the environment. I find it so fulfilling when I am able create a meaningful change in someone’s life through my craft.

Design is a team sport, and that extends beyond a team of designers and researchers. Design is a partnership with the engineers who make our visions come to life, the PMs who coordinate the cross-functional teams in order to deliver a solid product, the sales and marketing teams who care about the marketability of our product, and the organization’s leaders who care about the success of the business.

When we feel good, we do good. When we are trusted, we feel empowered to take ownership, accountability and pride in our work and our ability to create a meaningful impact in the world.

I consider my work, my relationships, and my health as the main pillars of my life. When one of them falters, the rest will give way. It’s important for me to keep a good balance on these pillars.

Brene Brown mentions in her work a question that resonated with me: “Do you think that people, in general, are doing their best?”. There are many unknown and unseen factors that play into a person’s behavior. It might not seem like this person is doing their best, but in that moment, that is the very best they could do. When I see people in this perspective, I feel like my life and my relationships have become better.

I make a habit of learning something new (or re-learning something old) everyday. I’m always finding opportunities to learn and grow in my career. I also find value in embracing failure and learning from them.

“Soft front, hard back”, says Brene Brown. To me, this means keeping an open heart and an open mind towards the needs and beliefs of others (soft front), while respectfully setting your boundaries in order to honor and protect those that are valuable to you (hard back).

I’ve learned that impulsive behavior stems from not understanding your thoughts and emotions. When we’re overwhelmed, it’s easier to get angry, get drunk or go on a shopping spree, rather than to identify how we really feel and why we feel that way. We make better decisions by being mindful of our thoughts, emotions, our environment, and all the things that make us human.

Providing a safe space to be vulnerable. It’s okay to feel the way we feel. If or when you’re ready, go ahead and share. You are valued and loved. There is no shame in being vulnerable. Knowing and understanding how you feel and why you feel that way is powerful. Embracing your genuine you is powerful.

From jazz to lofi hip-hop, Postmodern Jukebox to Pomplamoose covers, and Taylor Swift to Blondie - I live and breathe music. I was also a classically trained singer. I am no Idina Menzel, but I can belt out to “I Won’t Say I’m In Love” quite well.

I am a food motivated human. I love going on culinary excusions to discover and taste new and unique cuisines.

I’m no whiskey connoiseur, but I know what notes and flavor profiles I like. My favorites include Green Spot and Red Breast (both Irish), Talisker Storm and MaCallan 12-yr Double Cask (both Scotch), Yame-Eight Goddesses 10-yr whiskey (Japanese), and WhistlePig 10-yr straight rye (American).

I am a sucker for historical fiction stories like “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn, but I also love reading insightful, non-fiction marvels by authors like Brene Brown, Malcolm Gladwell, and Glennon Doyle.

I slay my fleek with fashions inspired by the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the women of Mad Men, but with much less hairspray and sans stockings.

I take a moment to unplug and go on a nice, long walk. Whether it be around the block with my dogs, to get lost in my thoughts in a familiar trail, or to explore a quaint, new town. I love walking.

As a Studio Senior/UX Lead, I lean in on User-Centered Design (UCD) and Design Thinking principles and methods to create a meaningful impact in the Government and Public Sector industry.

As a UX design lead, I have been instrumental in driving the design strategy, encouraging and supporting the design team’s growth, and advocating for the impact our work brings to the organization.

As a UX/UI engineer, I bolstered our design outcomes by establishing Design Thinking principles to the team’s current process. Our products, Synkros and Synk Vision, won awards at the GGB Gaming and Tech Awards during my time in 2018 and 2019.