In my role as a design leader, it is my responsibility to oversee development and iteration on an overall vision of end-to-end consumer experience that aligns with the company’s overarching objectives. I believe that the Design function exists to connects the dots between business needs, stakeholder priorities, and user insights. We contribute to the overall success of the company by creating effective and engaging solutions that resonate with our user base and help them to achieve their goals — while doing so in a way that aligns with overall business strategy. We help to differentiate our company from it’s competitors, driving satisfaction and loyalty through a best-in-class experience, both for our users and our internal team.

As a design leader, I am responsible for creating and maintaining the department as value-driven function. I partner with cross-functional leads from Product, Marketing, Sales, Engineering, Operations, and Business Development, etc. to develop product roadmaps, set OKRs, and define strategy. I believe that it’s not enough for Design just to create value for a business — we also have to be adept at explaining (and evangelizing) the value that we create and why it matters within the greater context of the business. Sure, our team is responsible for improving the end user experience for our audience, but we also must be able to articulate why this helps the business succeed!