Resume

I am a product and design leader with over 20 years of experience driving user-centric design and development, delivering impactful customer experiences. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams, crafting compelling product visions and roadmaps, and utilizing Agile methodologies (Scrum, Azure DevOps) to deliver successful technology solutions. Industries: financial services, health insurance, employee benefits, loyalty marketing, B2B, and consumer
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Experience

Agile Product Manager/Owner

  • Manager: Website User Experience
  • Portico Benefit Services
  • 2019-2023

  • Owned product strategy and roadmaps for customer experience solutions, increasing user engagement and achieving sales goals contributing to millions of dollars in new retirement assets and thousands of new health plan members.
  • Led cross-functional teams (10+) in developing and delivering secure member/employer websites, retirement planning tools, and internal systems using Agile methodologies.
  • Championed successful identity management system conversion (50k members, 10k employers) with minimal disruption (maintained high NPS scores).

Manager: Website User Experience

  • Portico Benefit Services 2015-2019

  • Led and built a high-performing UX/content team (4+), spearheaded usability and content design initiatives resulting in a successful responsive UX/UI refresh.
  • Established and owned product vision & roadmap for website UX, prioritizing user needs and aligning them with business goals.
  • Delivered a robust retirement planning tool (40k users) through human-centered design, increasing new contributions by 61%.

Sr. User Experience Architect

  • Portico Benefit Services 2011-2015

  • Led UX strategy and execution for secure member/employer websites, driving impactful product launches.
  • Spearheaded user research and stakeholder collaboration to define user stories, content needs, and feature roadmaps.
  • Established and maintained a UI pattern library for consistent UX and development efficiency.

Team Lead: Sr. User Experience Designer

  • Digital River 2009-2011
  • Led a team of six UX designers (local & remote) to champion user-centric design for the Digital River SaaS eCommerce platform. Implemented UX methodologies across projects and led usability efforts.
  • Developed product roadmaps: Facilitated group strategy sessions with stakeholders to gather requirements, ensure buy-in, and define feature sets.
  • Enhanced UI consistency and development efficiency: Drove framework & pattern improvements for a shared UI pattern library across the Digital River application suite.

Sr. Information Architect

  • Eaton Golden, Bloomington 2008 – 2009

  • Developed user-centered information architecture for websites, intranets, mobile interfaces, and online applications (interaction diagrams, sitemaps, wireframes).
  • Conducted usability studies and translated the findings into actionable insights.

New Media Strategist

  • Carlson Marketing Worldwide (Door C) 1999 – 2008

  • Pioneered the UX practice, demonstrating the value of information architecture and user research.
  • Delivered comprehensive UX solutions (information architecture, UX design, and visual design) for diverse project scales.
  • Championed client adoption of online branding strategies.
  • Spearheaded staff education on the importance of UX in visual design.

Skills

I have a passion for crafting exceptional user experiences. My skills span from conducting in-depth user research to managing product development cycles. I'm skilled in collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet user needs and business objectives.
Agile Product OwnershipCSPO CertificationScrum MethodologiesUser Story CreationBacklog ManagementProduct Roadmap DevelopmentCross-functional CollaborationRequirements GatheringStakeholder ManagementSprint PlanningTechnical Product ManagementBeta Program ManagementProblem-solvingStrategic Planning
User Experience (UX) DesignUser ResearchUsability TestingDesign Systems/Pattern LibrariesWireframes/PrototypesFlow DiagramsTools and Methodologies
Azure DevOpsSitecoreAxure
CommunicationTeam LeadershipCustomer Service OrientationAdaptabilityEmpathyIndustry Knowledge
Healthcare Industry KnowledgeFinancial Industry Knowledge
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