I follow a human-centered approach to solution research, strategy, and design. After nearly 18 years in enterprise software development organizations, I formed Lean Geeks. Lean Geeks, a consulting and staffing firm, helps organizations discover market opportunities and define the most effective solutions for their market.
Leading business strategy and org change in human-centered solution definition and design (Design Thinking) is my strength. I enjoy working with others across organizations from the top-down and bottom-up on defining and implementing processes that lead to better problem definition and improved solution outcomes. I coach cross-functional teams on collaborative discovery, definition, and design processes that are complimentary to Agile methods.
I hold a doctorate in Human Factors Psychology from North Carolina State University. I am an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Computer Science at N.C. State. I am also Pragmatic Marketing Certified and have Agile Scrummaster and Product Owner training.
I help cultivate the strengths and capabilities of user experience research and design talent embedded within teams. Supporting their ability to successfully work with product management and development is important to a cross-functional product team's ability to collaborate and create successful outcomes.
Technical expertise: Sense-making, broad thinker with experience in user research, requirements gathering and elicitation, information synthesis, ideation, software interface design, product design, innovation, research & development, and process improvement
Interpersonal skills: Adaptable to changing requirements and unexpected obstacles, strategic thinker, risk taker, facilitator, capable of delivering clear and useful feedback, inspire and coach others
Provide feedback and consulting to start-up entities on strategies to improve their understanding of users and application of these insights
Volunteer with non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity, Shepard's Table Soup Kitchen, Food Bank of Eastern and Central NC, Housing for New Hope, among others
Mentor/mentee relationships with several women in tech and entrepreneurship
Planned and led 5-day STEM camp for 25 middle-school girls that included 50+ corporate volunteers and presenters
Partner in agricultural venture that strives to support economic development in Western Kenya by providing business education and individual empowerment to be self-sustaining
