Design Leader | Educator | Innovation Coach
I bring over 25 years of experience transforming complex challenges into human-centered solutions across healthcare, civic services, education, and technology sectors. Currently serving as Co-Head of Undergraduate Programs and Associate Professor of Practice at The University of Texas at Austin Department of Design, I’m leading curriculum transformation while teaching the next generation of designers.
My career spans executive leadership at frog, one of the world’s premier design agencies, where I shaped and managed the global design research practice for a decade, to coaching mayors and city teams through Bloomberg Philanthropies programs, helping cities like Durham, NC secure $1M in funding for innovative civic solutions.
My work has created lasting impact: The Access Wayfinding System I co-designed at MD Anderson Cancer Center has served 11 million patients over 20 years. I’ve coached 9 North American cities in human-centered design, created 18 university courses, and trained hundreds of students and professionals in design and design research methodologies.
I’m skilled in navigating complex organizational dynamics, building design capabilities at scale, and applying strategic design to systemic challenges. My approach combines rigorous research with practical implementation, whether developing new methodologies for Fortune 500 clients, guiding municipal innovation programs, or shaping the future of design education.
Published in Fast Company, The Atlantic, and numerous design journals, I hold two design patents and have received SEGD Honor Awards for environmental design excellence.
Awards
Two Honor Awards from the Society for Environmental Graphic Design:
The Access Wayfinding System for M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas
Austin Capital Metro Transit Guiding Principles and Best Practices
Patents
System and Method for Managing Signage and Wayfinding Elements
United States Patent US20070100540 A12
November 2006
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Graphical User Interface
United States Patent US6710788 B13
December 1996
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