Effective design leadership is multifaceted. With nearly thirty years in the industry, spanning e-commerce, B2B tools, ad tech, and fintech, I’ve led teams through unique challenges and transformations. My journey, which includes managing teams of three to as many as thirty, has taught me what makes a design team truly successful and how to achieve greatness. Here’s an overview of my approach.
My team is my primary focus. I aim to create an environment where each member feels engaged, empowered, and clear on what success looks like. When I join a new team or welcome a new designer, I start by developing a personalized career blueprint with them, outlining:
Their career aspirations
Their core strengths
Areas they wish to improve
Whether a designer seeks to move into management or excel in a specialized role, I see my responsibility as a mentor and advocate, guiding them toward their goals. I emphasize Emotional Intelligence as a core skill, helping each team member grow where needed—be it by presenting more often to leadership or mastering advanced tools. My approach ensures that each individual is constantly progressing, supported, and equipped to thrive.
Strong collaboration is at the heart of impactful design. I work closely with partners in product, engineering, marketing, and data science to foster a collaborative, proactive culture. It’s essential to me that our team is not just a reactive support function but a strategic partner. By leveraging research, user insights, and a deep understanding of the business, we come prepared to influence roadmaps and contribute meaningful insights that propel the team forward. I strive to ensure that our partners find working with us both productive and inspiring.
As a leader, I strive to be one of the most informed voices in the room. This involves staying deeply engaged in the details—conducting user interviews, reviewing design work, and analyzing the competitive landscape. I see design not as a series of mockups but as a strategic process that is constantly learning and evolving. By remaining educated in our industry and the spaces we touch, my team is equipped to make faster, more impactful decisions that lead to exceptional product outcomes.
Through a blend of empathetic team support, proactive partnership, and strategic insight, I create a design culture that not only achieves results but also grows talent and fosters enduring partnerships. My goal is to build a team that thrives on purpose, collaboration, and a shared vision for excellence.
Key Priorities in My Role:
Customer-Centric Research:
Staying deeply informed about our customers is essential. We continuously identify and analyze friction points and opportunities, keeping a pulse on customer needs. We stay informed on competitive market trends and align our work closely with our business objectives to ensure our designs are relevant and impactful.
Supporting and Developing My Team:
The well-being and growth of my team are paramount. I prioritize ensuring each team member feels valued, supported, and challenged to grow. I regularly assess engagement, productivity, and satisfaction, fostering an environment where designers can excel in their craft and progress in their careers.
Collaborative Partnerships:
We aim to be exemplary partners, committed to driving business outcomes through innovative, user-centered experiences. Our team is collaborative, easy to work with, and known for adding meaningful value to our engineering and product counterparts. We strive to balance creativity with practicality, ensuring that our solutions are both delightful and technically feasible.