
I live for complex, complicated, and critical problems. Healthcare, taxes, immigration and criminal justice; I have experience in and am passionate about areas and industries that don't have an easy answer!
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As a skilled UX generalist, I have experience in all facets of the UX process. From research and strategy to design and testing to development and delivery, I can successfully dissect problems, analyze user needs, and arrive at effective and efficient solutions that users enjoy.
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In addition to solving user needs, I am passionate about optimizing the UX process in a company. I have established and managed UX teams, built Design Systems, utilized DesignOps practices, and introduced User Centered Design methodologies in multiple enterprise companies.
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I enjoy using my time outside of work to advance my skills, network, and provide mentorship and education. I sat on the board for UXPA KC, where I coordinated a mentorship program which matched about 25 students and early career professionals with mentors this year. I also lead UX projects with Code for America and the American Cancer Society, both of which are non-profit groups with great missions. Additionally, I mentor 3 students and early career professionals in the UX field and speak about UX at my Alma Mater periodically. Lastly, I spoke at this year's UXPA International Conference and was featured as the "Designer of the Month" on UXPin's blog in May.
In my free time, I enjoy camping, thrift shopping, and spoiling my Australian Shepherd, Ollie.
SKILLS

Design Systems
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Current state inventory
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Determining cohesive design standards to utilize
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Planning and phasing
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Creating design system library and documentation
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Atomic based organization of library
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Establishing and maintaining governance
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Measuring impact and success
Pioneering, Leading, and Scaling UX Teams
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Establishing UX presence in spaces and continuing UX advocacy
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Creating scalable project management models
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Tool and process analysis
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Managing project timelines
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Facilitating interdisciplinary partnerships throughout organization
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Resource recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding
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Resource management and development

Product Design
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User Centered Design process
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Design Sprints
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Research: Shadowing, interviews, surveys​
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Strategy: Stakeholder interviews, journey mapping, requirement creation,
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Design: Low to High fidelity design, responsive design, accessibility, design standards and design system utilization
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Validation: Moderated & unmoderated testing, A/B testing, focus groups, metric tracking, analytics
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Development: Agile development integration
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Delivery: Training plans, post-release feedback and observation plans
Mentoring, Speaking, and Writing
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Mentor 3 young professionals
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Regularly speak to classes and clubs at my alma mater about UX, networking, and branding
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Featured as "Designer of the Month" in UXPin's Blog
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Spoke at the 2019 UXPA International Conference
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Acted as board member for KC Chapter of UXPA (User Experience Professionals Association) where I coordinated a mentorship program for 25 early career UX professionals and students
EXPERIENCE
July 2018 - Present
Senior UX Designer
H&R Block
Pioneered UX team and user-centered design process in Development department. Own UX for products used by Tax Professionals in the 10,000 H&R Block offices. Help create a company-wide design system. Lead collaborative efforts with other UX teams. Direct UX advocacy efforts.
November 2018 - Present
Event Experience Designer
American Cancer Society
Design event collateral for various American Cancer Society fundraising events. Created all of the event materials, including programs, invitations, posters, presentation decks, event decor/table arrangements, etc.
September 2018 - Present
UX Designer
Code for America - KC Chapter
Lead UX work for an expungement application through KC's Chapter of Code for America, a hacking group that helps local governments and civic organizations with. digital projects. Partner with UMKC Law School on project
November 2018 - May 2019
UX Designer
Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (GAIN)
Utilize user-centered design process to provide redesign recommendations for GAIN's website, a non-profit group that provides free legal services to immigrants. Oversee my mentee while she completes WordPress development of redesign.
January 2018 - December 2018
Board Member - Director of Outreach
User Experience Professionals Association of KC (UXPAKC)
Coordinated mentorship program that matched 25 local students and early career professionals with experienced UX professionals. Organized monthly educational/networking events for UX professionals in the KC area
June 2015 - July 2018
Senior UX Engineer
Netsmart Technologies
Pioneered UX team that crafted healthcare experiences on multiple applications across across various devices and platforms. Established company's first design system. Lead agile UX client partnerships. Mentored and managed team members. Advocated for user centered design methods and recruited and interviewed UX talent to scale team.
Spring 2015
Design Teaching Assistant
NWMSU
Assisted over twenty students with design techniques and software, including Adobe Creative Suite
Spring 2015
Interaction Designer
decisionFX/Knacktive
Created business plans, website and app designs, and marketing assets for a client while in a competitive classroom setting
2014 - 2015
Marketing Assistant
B.D. Owens Library
Designed print and digital marketing assets, updated website pages, and managed social media
Spring 2014
UX Designer
Northwest Missourian
Performed usability analysis for campus newspaper's website and utilized Google Analytics to gather insights. Created designs and performed A/B testing to give educated recommendations
2012 - 2015
Page Designer/Editor
Northwest Missourian
Designed newspaper pages for campus newspaper while managing several other designers
2010 - 2015
On-Air Radio DJ
Nodaway Broadcasting
Performed live on-air radio shifts and controlled soundboard
TOOLS
Research & Testing
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Usertesting.com
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Survey Monkey
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Morae
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Validately
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Loop 11
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Google Analytics
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Optimizely
Design
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UXPin
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Sketch
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Invision
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XD, Illustrator, & Phototshop
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Balsamiq
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Axure
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HTML & CSS
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Wix, Weebly, and Wordpress
Management
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JIRA
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Trello
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Azure DevOps (ADO)
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Microsoft Teams
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Asana
GET IN TOUCH
(660) 853 - 8936