Resume
Education
Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Completed 72 credits toward my D.Des degree
Doctorate of Design (D.Des) in Transition Design
Studied the potential of design to drive human-centered organizational transition. Particular emphasis on employee experience, cultural transformation, and humanizing the future of work. Fields referenced: service design, systems thinking, subjective well-being, organizational behavior, critical design, and new economics.
York University | Toronto, ON, Canada
June 2014
Bachelor of Arts Honors (B.A. Hons) in Communication Studies
Summa Cum Laude
2013/2014 Dean’s Circle of Student Scholars
2012/2013 Lifelong Learning Scholarship, Columbia Institute
2011/2012 Lifelong Learning Scholarship, Columbia Institute
2011/2012 Sessional Academic Achievement List
2011/2012 York University Continuing Student Scholarship
University of Guelph | Guelph, ON, Canada
February 2006
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in English
2005/2006 Canada Millennium Bursary
2004/2005 Canada Millennium Bursary
2002/2003 Aiming for the Top Tuition Scholarship
2002/2003 Ontario Scholar
Work Experience
Atlassian | San Francisco, CA (Remote)
Senior Design Manager
May 2021 - Present
As a senior design partner, I work closely with my product and engineering partners to execute on our ambitious portfolio of work each quarter, consistently leaning into product strategy, experience quality, and operational efficiency. I’ve managed several high-performing multidisciplinary design teams across the complex space of platform, generative AI, integrations (3P), ecosystem (2P), user onboarding, and crossflow (1P). Currently managing ten direct reports.
Tools: Slack, Figma, Dovetail, Google Workspace, Jira, Confluence, Loom.
Shopify | Ottawa, ON (Remote from VA)
Service Design Manager
May 2018 - Dec 2020
As the first service design hire, I established cross-functional relationships, promoted new methods and tools, and expanded the service design practice to support pandemic-driven hyper growth. I developed enterprise white glove service offerings, balancing high-touch support with scalable self-serve options to maintain quality. Managed two direct reports and coached numerous employees in integrating service design into product and service delivery.
Tools: Sketch, Figma, Slack, Keynote, Google Workspace.
Rebel Rebel | Alexandria, VA
Founder / Design Consultant
March 2018 - May 2021
Provided design consulting services for several clients undergoing digital transformation and capacity building to include service design expertise. Conducted user research and usability testing for government clients.
Clients: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC); Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) for the Department of Defense (DoD) via Dignari.
Fannie Mae | Washington, D.C.
Service Design Manager
November 2016 - March 2018
Founded Fannie Mae's first in-house service design practice, attracting top talent across multiple craft specializations. Led the creation of the organization's most comprehensive customer personas, journey maps, and the first system map of the complex mortgage market ecosystem. Presented our team's innovative work to the Board of Directors and C-suite, securing a $4M investment for affordable housing initiatives. Managed eight direct reports and oversaw six external consultants from McKinsey, Sapient, EY, and BCG. Presented our case study among senior leaders at Wells Fargo and Rocket Mortgage.
Tools: Slack, Sketch, Mural, Keynote, Google Workspace, Evernote.
Capital One Labs | Arlington, VA
Experience Design Manager
January 2016 - November 2016
Capital One Labs is all about making products that have a big impact. When our team isn't venturing to build the next generation of financial products, we're partnering with other Capital One teams to tackle their biggest challenges. We work in small, cross-disciplinary design teams that define smart strategies and make beautiful solutions. Our work results in more human and valuable product and service experiences.
My role: Research lead for emotional and financial wellbeing impact assessment (money coaching pilot). Design lead for shared finances iOS and Android app, specializing in FTUX (onboarding). Designer for visualizing and simplifying spend, and notional AI screens for how consumers might interact with their money.
Tools: Sketch, Zeplin, Slack, Photoshop, InVision, Qualtrics, Typeform, MindNode, Keynote, UserTesting, Confluence, Google Apps, Microsoft Office.
Capital One | Vienna, VA
Product Design Manager
November 2014 - January 2016
Capital One Digital is a collection of designers, product managers, content strategists, design thinking strategists, and developers who strive to change banking for good.
My role: As a design lead on the Card Design team, I worked closely with other designers, strategists, product managers, and developers to further our understanding of how people interact with their money. I employed human-centered design methods to uncover insights and design solutions that empowered our customers to live happier and more financially stable lives. I also managed a small team of junior designers and oversaw product design on several projects. Service design lead for new high net worth credit card offering. Product design lead for dynamic credit card application, balance transfer and interest eraser features (responsive Web and iOS).
As the campus recruiting lead for design, I worked closely with our campus recruiting team to develop our recruiting strategy, improve our hiring process, recruit top candidates, program events, and co-create the new Design Development Program (DDP) for interns and recent college graduates.
Tools: Photoshop, InVision, Sketch, Balsamiq, Slack, Keynote, UserTesting, Confluence, GroupMe.
Uberflip | Toronto, ON
Product Designer
December 2013 - May 2014
Design lead for B2B content marketing web app—research, synthesis, ideation, prototyping, design, and user testing. Established the first design system for our Content Hub. One of the first three designers to join the company and the first to establish a more robust user research practice.
Tools: Balsamiq, Photoshop, InVision, Intercom, Mouseflow, Chrome Developer Tools, QuickTime, Google Docs, Sublime Text.
Freelance | Toronto, ON
Web Designer / Communications Strategist
September 2011 - December 2013
Project-based freelance work including identity design, responsive website design, usability evaluation, social media strategy, content strategy, search engine optimization, and print design.
Skills: domain registration and management, hosting configuration, user research, style guides, sitemaps, information architecture, wireframes, content management, branding, visual design, copyrighting, responsive website design, email configuration, social media integration, digital marketing, front-end coding, search engine optimization, training.
Tools: Justinmind, Mockflow, Squarespace, Wordpress, Tumblr, Google Apps, Dropbox, Evernote, Google Analytics, Muse, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, TextWrangler, Sublime Text.
The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings | Toronto, ON
Communications and Stakeholder Relations Officer
August 2012 - August 2013
FACTOR administers contributions from private radio broadcasters as well as two components of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Canada Music Fund to provide assistance toward the growth and development of the Canadian music industry. Support is provided to Canadian recording artists, songwriters, managers, labels, publishers, event producers and distributors through various programs.
My Role: Directed the foundation's communication strategies, overseeing the launch of a new website, online application system, and successful digital media initiatives and marketing campaigns, notably #FACTORfunded. Designed the new website and online application system, including style guides, site maps, wireframes, components, and basic front-end coding. Created tutorial videos for applicants and managed meeting minutes and the needs of the board of directors.
Tools: Mockflow, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Web CMS for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Microsoft Azure, Dropbox, Microsoft Office, Google Analytics, Keynote, iMovie, QuickTime, ScreenFlow.
Canadian Independent Music Association | Toronto, ON
Cultural Policy Researcher
April 2012 - August 2012
CIMA is the not-for-profit national trade association representing the English-language, Canadian-owned sector of the music industry. CIMA’s mandate is to develop and advocate policies and services that serve to support a strong and economically stable Canadian independent music and sound recording industry, ensuring the long-term development of the sector and to raise the profile of Canadian independent music both in Canada and around the world.
My Role: Music industry research and policy analysis for the independent sector of the Canadian music industry. Responsible for policy brief writing, statistical analysis, and the creation of keynote presentations.
Research Sources: IFPI, MIA Reports, Statistics Canada, Nielsen, CRTC, PWC, Ipsos, comScore, OECD Factbook, IMF, Nordicity.
Core Music Agency | Vancouver, BC
Head of Music Licensing
March 2009 - August 2012
Core Music Agency is a talent agency, representing a diverse roster of composers, songwriters and music producers who create original music for film, television, advertising and games. Additionally, Core represents a growing catalogue of pre-cleared popular, genre and specialty music from respected labels and independent artists for sync licensing.
My Role: Collaborated with the President to create and implement a new brand identity for the company, which involved competitor analysis, surveys, ideation, identity design, website design, copyrighting, marketing strategy and collateral, and front-end coding. Created and managed the music licensing division and implemented a new digital CMS to support our licensing efforts. Effectively utilized Daylite to manage opportunities and projects. Acted as the representative of composers and recording artists for original songs and synchronization licensing in Canada and the US – developed new original score, song and synch licensing leads; compiled targeted demos and playlists; drafted cover letters; reviewed contracts, negotiated licensing fees and assignment of publishing rights.
Tools: Photoshop, InDesign, Daylite, Dropbox, iMovie, iTunes, Soundminer, SoundCloud, Vimeo, iWork, Microsoft Office, TextWrangler.
Talks, Workshops, and Publications
Podcast interviewee, “Progress Over Perfection” - Service Design Show, Circle Episode #01, 2021
Podcast interviewee, “New Ways to Spread and Scale Service Design” - Service Design Show, Episode 72, 2019
Workshop Facilitator, “Introduction to Service Design Thinking & Doing” - BLND 2019 - Stratford, ON
Workshop Facilitator, “Introduction to Service Design Thinking & Doing” - IMPACT: 2018 Canadian Service Design Conference - Montreal, QC
Workshop Facilitator, “Introduction to Service Design Thinking & Doing” - Elevate 2018, Shopify - Ottawa, ON
Workshop Facilitator, “Introduction to Service Design Thinking & Doing” - RnD Summit 2018, Shopify - Toronto, ON
Moderator, Service Design Panel - Shopify Plus - Waterloo, ON, 2018
Podcast interviewee, "This Makes Me Happy" - Podcast, Episode 9, 2016
Panelist, "Design for Service: Service Design Debate" - Carnegie Mellon University, 2016
Guest Speaker, "Design for Service: Service Blueprinting" - Carnegie Mellon University, 2016
Speaker, "Banking on Happiness" - People + Money, Carnegie Mellon University, 2016
Speaker, "Banking on Happiness" - People + Money, University of Michigan, 2016
Speaker, "Banking on Happiness" - People + Money, Cornell University, 2015
Speaker, "Banking on Happiness" - PAM, Capital One, 2015
Panelist, "Get to Know the New FACTOR" - NXNE Interactive, 2013
Guest Lecturer, "Composing for Film & TV" Vancouver Island University, Department of Music, 2011
Panelist, "Composing for Film & TV" Manitoba Music, 2010
Speaker, Women in Film and Television Vancouver, Networking Breakfast, 2010
Published in Seeds, "5 Contemporary Artists You Should Know", Hypetree Blog, 2009
Published in The Cannon, Review of "Atmospherics", 2004
Published in The Cannon, Review of "Prairie Tales 5", 2003
Workshops and Skill Development
Converge: Canadian Service Design Conference - Toronto, Ontario, 2018
Positive Leadership Certificate Program - George Mason University, 2017
SDN Service Design Global Conference - Madrid, Spain, 2017
Toward a Systemic Design Toolkit (Workshop) - Namahn and ShiftN - Relating Systems Thinking and Design Symposium (RSD5), 2016
Presenting Data and Information - Edward Tufte, 2016
End-to-End, Surface-to-Core: Practical Service Blueprinting - Megan Miller and Erik Flowers - Service Experience Conference, 2015
Experience Mapping - Chris Risdon - UX Week, 2015
Experience Mapping Workshop - Patrick Quattlebaum - Dallas, TX, 2015
VisualStory, 2 Day Workshop - Duarte - 2014
Rapid Prototyping with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - Bitmaker Labs, 2014
Human-Computer Interaction, Studio Track Statement of Accomplishment with Distinction - Coursera - University of California, San Diego, 2013
The Big Idea Labs - Futurpreneur Canada (Formerly CYBF), 2013
Daylite 101 Certification - Macfanatic - Marketcircle, 2010
Creative Works
Photography, 2005-2015
Original Music Compositions, 2002-2012
Canadian Adaptations of Shakespeare Project, "That The Sun Sucks Up", University of Guelph, 2005
Music That Resonates, Live Sessions and Interviews, 2009-2011