Product designer and usability professional.

I have been designing and creating software for nearly two decades. I absolutely love it. I started my career with a graduate degree in Human-Computer Interaction where I was a user researcher and eventually ran a user research team. Design is so incredibly integral to the user experience. So, I began focusing on product design and UX. Around this time I learned to code beginning with Ruby on Rails and Javascript. In the last few years, all my experience and knowledge has culminated to turn my focus to overall product success.

Where you can find me around the internet

• Here of course. With each blog post I try to design an image to go along with it. Even if you don't read the post, take a look at the image. This one was super fun. So was this one.
• HEC Partners - Colleges and Universities have a lot of laws set forth by the federal government, particularly in relation to financial aid. At HEC we help them navigate those tricky waters. My primary role is in helping identify, design, and create products based on the needs and problems of our clients.
• Empathetic - my co-founder and I are creating a user research platform for modern product teams. Think research repository, participant management, and micro-surveys. It is meant to be a lightweight, continuous user research system that allows you to keep your customer at the center of all you do and truly understand them so that you can create products they love.
• Noomga - as a knowledge worker, focus time is precious. This is a tool to help you plan out your day and ensure you're using your precious time effectively.
• Dribbble - I have some of my design work up there. However, I'm not great about remembering to take time to share my designs. But, when I do that's where I do it. If you're on dribbble I'd love to connect with you there.

Books that have changed me and the way I work

I love to read and learn. I'm currently re-reading Continuous Discovery Habits . Here are a few books that have changed me:

• Deep Work - this is a book about performing your best work intentionally. It changed the way I schedule and do my work. If you are not already working deeply, I truly believe that you would benefit from following the advice in this book.
• Man's Search for Meaning - probably the most beautiful book I have ever read. It changed the way I view my freedom and my attitude. It is inspiring and incredibly insightful.
• The Compound Effect - this is a book about the fundamentals of success. It is a solid foundation for anyone who wants to achieve their goals. It's a book about consistency.
• Big Magic - a book on creativity. That might sound boring but I promise you this book is anything but boring. If you are a creator or want to be this book is worth your time. I especially love to listening to Elizabeth Gilbert narrate it. Sometimes I hope the book will never end.
• It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work - this book showed me what work could actually be like. I was so used to it being one way I never considered it could be different. This book opened my eyes not only to work but to myself.
• Steal Like an Artist - when I first started designing I needed this book. It's another book about creativity. It's short and so good.

A few of my favorite quotes

I really love quotes so it's hard to narrow it down but here are a few that impact me each time I read them.