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Howdy! I’m a researcher and designer whose mission is to make complex systems work better for people.


I am passionate about work where I can:

  • Tackle complex problems and build a more equitable society

  • Listen to people tell their stories and then work with them to co-create solutions

  • Organize and analyze information, both visually and in writing, so that I and others can better understand complexity

  • Collaborate with and learn from diverse, multi-disciplinary teams

  • Facilitate effective conversations between people who often work in silos

  • Teach and mentor others on the value of design and the practice of design research

  • Build processes and structures that enable transparency and learning in organizations

Currently, I am a Senior Designer / Researcher at Nava where we aim to make government services simple, effective, and accessible for all. Other places I’ve used design to tackle complex social challenges have been: the Design Institute for Health, Reboot, and the World Bank Group. I hold an MFA in Design for Social Innovation from the School of Visual Arts, and a BA in International Studies from American University.

Speaking

Trojan Horses and Systems Design, Austin Design Week 2019

Power to the People: Can City Spending Save Democracy?, SXSW 2019

Ambiguity as Ally: Feedback-First Design, Feedback Summit 2018

The Future of Design Thinking, NYU Design for America 2018

Putting a Face to Your Idea: The User Persona, Teach For America Entrepreneur’s United Conference 2017