MY STORY
A designer driven by empathy for people and for the planet
From my early days I loved being outside and in nature. Exploring, riding bike, swimming, or creating make-believe stories from my imagination — I felt at home in nature.
Now that I’m an adult, I still want to be in nature as much as possible. Hours spent walking by the ocean or surrounded by trees provide me with an energy, peace, and joy like nothing else. When I see what’s happening to the environment, how humans are carelessly contributing to the destruction of our planet, I feel a strong pull to help protect these wild places I love.
For over a decade, I’ve worked as a designer and researcher building human-centered digital products and experiences. I believe design thinking has a powerful role to play in building systems that work for both people and the planet. The same skills I’ve used to understand user needs and shape better experiences can also help reimagine how we use resources, manage waste, and support sustainable ways of living that are accessible for everyone.
I’m a Minnesota native and also an Australian citizen, leaving my home country in 2016 for Australia, fulfulling a long-time dream. The years I spent living in different cities across Australia stretched my comfort zone in ways I never could’ve imagined — from adapting to new cultures and work environments to discovering the depths of my resilience and creativity.
In 2024, while exploring Western Australia, I met a German solo traveler. After hiking and camping our way down the coast, we decided to keep the adventure going. Now I’m starting a new chapter in Kiel, Germany, expanding my comfort zone once more.
I lead with empathy and curiosity, and design with intention, heart, and strategy — keeping the human experience at the center of all I do.
EXPERIENCE
My skillset
I’m currently transitioning from over a decade in UX research and product design into work focused on sustainability, conservation, and the circular economy. I’m eager to apply my skills and experience to protecting our wild spaces and creating more user-friendly circular systems.
What I’m learning
🌿 Circular design principles and product life cycle thinking
🌿 Principles of ecological economics
🌿 Environmental impact (life cycle assessments), behavior change, and systems ecology
🌿 Impacts of government policies, frameworks, and laws
🌿 Conservation and community-led approaches to sustainability
What I bring
🌿 Human-centered research, service design, & systems thinking skills
🌿 Clear, audience appropriate verbal & written communication
🌿 10 years experience collaborating with cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary teams
🌿 Stakeholder facilitation & sensemaking in complex environments
🌿 Experience building relationships and navigating challenges gained through agency, in-house, and consultancy environments
🌿 A curious, thoughtful, values-aligned approach to problem solving
BEYOND DESIGN
Things that bring me joy
You’ll find me surrounded by nature whenever possible — my happiest moments spent hiking, stand-up paddling, walking by the ocean, or capturing the world through my camera lens. I’m a lifelong creative who loves using art for expression, escape, and healing. Lately I’m sketching my favorite nature scenes and experimenting with watercolor.
I also enjoy curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee, sampling northern European pastries, watching American football wherever I am in the world, and following my wanderlust to new places.
