As a design leader, I am instrumental in influencing product strategy by seamlessly blending creative thinking with strategic insights. My in-depth understanding of user needs and market dynamics allows me to pinpoint opportunities and challenges that shape the overall direction of the product. I cultivate a culture of collaboration and innovation within the design team, fostering cross-functional engagement to ensure that design considerations are integral to the product strategy. This holistic approach goes beyond aesthetics and user experience, making me a driving force in shaping the core essence of the product, aligning it with overarching business goals and exceeding customer expectations.

In my transformative 8-year journey at Ascent Global Logistics, I have achieved a remarkable feat by evolving the organization from having no product design to establishing and integrating a robust DesignOps team. My strategic efforts have not only given rise to a dedicated product design team but have also fostered a culture deeply rooted in design thinking, contributing significantly to Ascent’s evolution and success.

Our team has successfully designed and developed a custom UI library and Design System that now serves as a foundational element across Ascent’s entire suite of products. This unified system ensures consistency and efficiency in user interface design, reflecting our commitment to delivering a seamless and cohesive user experience throughout the organization’s product ecosystem.

I am proud to highlight the substantial growth of the Product Design Team at Ascent under my leadership. From its inception with a single designer, the team has flourished into a dynamic group of six professionals encompassing UX designers, UI designers, Front-End Developers, and Researchers. This expansion reflects our commitment to assembling a diverse and skilled team capable of tackling multifaceted challenges in product design and development.

At Ascent, I’ve played a pivotal role in driving design innovation within the IT realm by orchestrating highly successful Hackathons. These events have not only fostered a culture of creativity and collaboration but have also contributed to the realization of innovative visions for Ascent’s technology landscape.

In addition, the implementation of weekly innovation Jams with the design team has proven instrumental. This regular forum has sparked transformative ideas, ultimately leading to a comprehensive redesign of Ascent’s UI across all products. These initiatives underscore my commitment to cultivating an environment where groundbreaking ideas thrive and positively impact the organization’s user interface and technological advancements.

As the realm of product design and DesignOps at Ascent experiences rapid expansion, driven by the success of our influential products, I have proactively taken on the responsibility of fostering team growth and providing ample opportunities for professional advancement. Recognizing the need to align team capabilities with the evolving demands, I have developed initiatives that facilitate skill leveling and create clear pathways for career growth within the team. This commitment ensures that our talented professionals are well-positioned to advance in their careers while maintaining the high standards of excellence that have become synonymous with our team’s contributions.