Design
Portfolio
Experienced product leader with a demonstrated history of transforming organizations to continually deliver customer-driven outcomes. Adept in agile change leadership with a focus on user-centered design, systems architecture, and software development. Have helped many organizations and government agencies become award-winning in accessibility integration and legal compliance, like Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Empower individuals through direct management, growth planning, and mentorship. A sophisticated negotiator dedicated to exploring emerging technologies that unleash innovation and teamwork to achieve operational excellence.
Core
Skills
User Experience Architect and product leader with over 20 years of experience in User Interface Design, software development and as a subject matter expert (SME) in accessibility. Dedicated to understanding human-computer interaction with a passion for innovative technology.
Leadership Skills: Leadership, Mentoring, program management, integrating new processes to build highly functional design & development teams in Agile or Waterfall
Marketing: Field Marketing, Social Media, Content Management, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Brand Management
Web Design & Development
Coding
Skills
Code: HTML, CSS, SASS, LESS, React, Angular, Stencil
Platforms and Frameworks: app.aco.digital, Pedantic, Duda, Fluxx, Shopify, Wix, Zoho, Wordpress, Drupal, Joomla, Bootstrap, AntD, Material
UI/UX/HCI Skills: Information architecture (IA), user interface design (UI), analytics research, user experience strategy (UX), accessibility, Section 508, WCAG, user-centered design (UCD), illustration
Wireframes
User Flows
Work Experience
aCo Digital
Founder
2008 - Today
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Help business owners with their web design & development, graphic design, social media marketing, SEO, taxonomy, strategy, email marketing and email automations
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Collaborate in the UI and UX designs of all clients
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Design online marketing presence for all social media
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Provide design direction for all websites
ELLE AND CO BOUTIQUE MARKETING
Creative Director
2020 - 2022
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Built a social media marketing and web development company from the ground up
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Help clients with their web design & development, graphic design, social media marketing, email marketing & automations and event planning
XO and Agency Couture Wholesale
Founder
2020 - 2023
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Built a boutique business from the ground up. Lead a small team in marketing, branding, creative graphic design, website and social media presence
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Opened two storefronts in 2022. Co-designed the interior space, merchandised the store and managed staff, customers, vendors, merchandising and inventory management
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Built a community around small business growth
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Developed a Facebook Live Strategy and implemented hours of video marketing, live shows, as well as developed reels and stories on end for the business
Telligen Des Moines
Sr User Experience (UX)
2018
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Manage JIRA project requirements
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Set and lead team/stakeholder meetings, and do UI/UX design for CRM project.
Meredith MXM Des Moines
Sr Front-End Developer, Tech Lead
2017
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Translate business goals and project requirements into concepts and solutions by collaborating on project task lists, wireframes, user flows and final products.
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Balance user needs and client objectives.
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Solve strategic business and design problems through research, collaboration, and analysis.
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Create UCD documentation, UI specification documentation, and UAT plans
Sammons Financial Group
Sr User Experience (UX)
2017
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Team lead for user interface development. Including task management, planning, resource planning, and timelines.
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Research, analyze, and share insights related to user goals and behaviors.
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Create design solutions via prototyping, wireframes, frameworks, and concept validation.
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Active role in balancing stakeholder expectations at all levels of management.
General Dynamics Information Technology
Senior Web Developer
2012 - 2017
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Communicate with other contractors about design and development deliverables
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Coordinate meetings and lead team discussions prototypes and development projects
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Responsible for UI development and ensures the projects meet basic and appropriate design standards, 508 compliance, UK accessibility standards, and CMMI compliance
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Knowledge of application development for Medicare and Medicaid quality improvement programs
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Documenting UX/IA/UI processes for team members (includes updating templates, checklists, code review logs and verifying quality assurance checks on completed and documented)
Destenaire
Part-time Travel Writer
2014 - 2015
CDS Global, a Hearst Company
Consultant UI Designer and Front-end Programmer
2011 - 2012
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Troubleshooting assistance related to Magento newsletters, Magento WYSIWYG content, branding, and design
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User interface and newsletter design, QA, and development of Magento and Wordpress websites
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Convert raw images and layout designs into CSS/XHTML themes
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Collaborate with stakeholders and project managers to build and refine graphic designs for websites
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Develop innovative, reusable web-based tools
Live Nation Entertainment
Event Assistant
2011
Team Enterprises
Designer
2008 - 2010
August Ash
SEO
2008
Risdall Marketing Group
Interactive Art Director
2008
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Created presentations with quarterly results of mortality studies
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Enhanced tracking procedures including documentation that helped streamline processes
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Banner, Print, Radio, Television, and Outdoor Advertising
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Email Marketing
MyFreeEstimates.com
Creative Director
2007 - 2008
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Managed multiple cross-platform campaigns using A/B testing, user research and SEO.
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Developed and leveraged various partner relations for affiliate marketing campaigns (i.e. Double Click and CJ).
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Creative lead for multiple websites, banners, national marketing campaigns, loyalty programs, and newsletters using HTML, CSS, Drupal, Joomla, WordPress, wire frames, and PHP.
Tile x Design
Design Intern
2007
Starbucks
Supervisor
2007
U.S. Marketing & Promotions
Brand Ambassador
2001 - 2007
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Promotional Brand Representative for clients like Proctor & Gamble, Coke, Pepsi, General Mills, and Unilever. Present and demonstrate new products to potential consumers with emphasis on sales, prepare/set up display(s) for clients
Gage Marketing
Design Intern
2007
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Develop production art for multiple clients using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
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Design promotional CDs using HTML, CSS, and Flash.
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Create website on CMS400 using HTML, CSS, and PHP.
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Write detailed specification documents with clear project deliverables and timelines.
Cheetah Graffix
Graphic Designer
2004 - 2006
Photography
Production Art, Photography, Photo Editing
Education
2016 - Present
Iowa State University
PhD, Human Computer Interaction
Focus on gamification, AI and design systems
2016 - 2024
Iowa State University
Master, Human Computer Interaction
Focus on gamification and design systems
2004 - 2007
Iowa State University
Bachelor’s in Art & Design
Minor Military Science, ROTC, Teacher’s Assistant, Delta Delta Delta Sorority, Big Brother’s Big Sisters Volunteer
2001-2004
Des Moines Area Community College
Associates in Science
Emphasis on Marine Biology, Radio Television Broadcasting, Aviation Technology, Honor Roll
508 Compliance & Accessibility Trusted Tester Certification
Department of Homeland Security
PMP Bootcamp 2011
Certified to teach Barre, Sculpt and Power Yoga 320 hours 2015
Expired State / County Fair Judge
70 hours towards Private Pilot (no license)
Graphic Design
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Professional Skills
Photography
Camera controls, RAW Processing, Imaging Software, Digital Asset Management, Digital Printing
Graphic Design
Creativity, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Marketing, Typography, Web Design & Development, Social Media Management
User Experience (UX)
Wideframing and Prototyping, Visual Communication, Interaction Design, Website & Multimedia Design, Website Strategy & Analytics, Qualtrics, Heatmaps, Behavior flow, Card sorting, A/B Testing
User Interface Design (UI)
Website & Multimedia Design, Website Strategy & Analytics, Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop), Sketch
Search Engine Optimization
SEO, Taxonomy for site architecture, Backlinks, Keyword Research and Copywriting, Google Analytics
Software Development
React, Angular, SASS, LESS, HTML, SASS, CSS, JSP, Vue.js, Jquery, JavaScript
Software
Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch, Canva, Visual Studio, GIT, WordPress, WAMP, XMind, Podcasting
Leadership
Communication, Decision-Making, Problem-Solving, Team Building, Delegation, Empowerment
Marketing
Digital Marketing Strategy, Content Creation, SEM (Search Engine Marketing), Social Media Marketing, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation
Social Media Marketing
