PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The New York Public Library
Director of UX, Design, and Accessibility
2017 - present
Supports the mission of the Library by making resources and services available in digital environments, responsible for implementing a culture of patron driven and accessibility-first digital experiences across both internal and 3rd party platforms.
- Defined and implemented cross-department Portfolio Groups as a way for Digital to rationally manage work and resources while increasing communications and collaboration across the Library. Organized activities and resources into 4 distinct portfolios of thematically related projects, services, and products structured around a core capability, operating with a defined budget and resources.
- As lead for the Digital Experience Platforms Portfolio, responsible for projects including the replatforming of the main site and the launch of NYPL’s new mobile app. Ensured that work followed a “self-service” model, which allows librarians, curators, and staff to bring their expertise to the site. With the temporary closure of physical libraries due to Covid-19, managed the pivot of priorities due to increased reliance on current digital tools and the demand for new capabilities.
- Developed UX process based on best practices and the needs of the Library, including modular and templated design as well as increased user research and testing. Proposed and received funding for the development of an accessibility-first Design System for the Library.
- Lead the UX team which is responsible for the patron experience and accessibility across all Portfolio groups.
Gannett
Vice President, UX
2016 - 2017
Responsible for the design and implementation of a unified digital experience across the Gannett Network, including USA Today and 108 local sites, on multiple platforms including mobile, desktop and VR
- Unified a team of 29 UX architects and designers in 5 different locations, building a modern, collaborative process, including a modular framework, design system, iterative user-testing and research, that works with Agile development.
- Increased innovation with a user-centric methodology based on Design Thinking, inspiring cross-department collaboration and deeper connections with the user by incorporating research, ideation, concepting, user flows, wire framing, prototyping and testing user experiences for products and improvements.
- Developed strong relationships and consensus with core partners including Advertising, Graphics, Branding, Editorial and Marketing. Work by the UX team contributed to an additional $16 million in revenue and the launch of VRtuallyThere, the first ever weekly virtual reality show.
- Based on strategy, research and data, set the UX and design system framework for the redesign of the front-end platform which allows for a mobile first, responsive, measurable, iterative and evolving experience, which can be customized/personalized for individual properties and users. Initial launch of the article page has increased time spent per article by 75%.
Gannett
Consultant/Acting Head of UX
2016
Member of strategic team tasked with development and rollout of a modern product process and communications.
- Key contributor to new Product Development methodology and process.
- Improved communications and innovation by developing the Local Advisory Committee, allowing direct engagement and contributions from the 108 local properties in UX and Product ideation and decision making.
- Led UX of network-wide universal app, built to adapt for any of Gannett’s properties, improving speed to market and reducing deployment time from 9 to 3 months.
TIME
Director of Product, TIME, Life and Money Digital
2014 – 2015
Led Digital Product for TIME, Life and Money, managing a team of product managers and designers.
- Built and maintained the strategic and tactical digital roadmap for TIME, Life and Money.
- Drove user experience vision, ensuring product additions and solutions were built with user and consumer needs in mind.
- Responsible for site build and iteration, including launch of TIME.com, design and launch of Money.com, new sections for Photography, Video, and user generated content, as well as premium product additions including TIME.com’s rich archive and new Parents section.
- Managed development and implementation of key partnerships to expand site offerings, including advertising opportunities, real-time news, contributor network and audience engagement tools.
The Wall Street Journal Digital Network
Director of User Experience Architecture
2009 – 2014
Responsible for implementation of strategic UX initiatives across all products and platforms.
- Developed and evangelized UX methodology and toolkit for user-centric product design.
- Led UX Architects and UX Project Managers responsible for WSJDN’s products
including The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, MarketWatch, WSJ Live, WSJ Portfolio,
Factiva, and R&D, as well as internal Content Management and Editorial Tools. - Special Projects Lead for new products and new business development including the MarketWatch and NY Post iPad apps, CFO Edition, WSJ Professional, Factiva UX 2, WSJ Social and DJ RealTime.
- Built a unified design studio for the network, consolidating consumer facing and B2B teams and creating a new UX team in Barcelona.
The Wall Street Journal
Manager of Interaction Design
2003 – 2009
Developed proprietary online documentation and asset management tool, increasing productivity by 150% as measured by number of projects completed
Dandelion Creative
Consultant/Founder
2001 – 2003
UX, creative direction, and development for clients including Dun & Bradstreet, MLB and AIGA.
Cap Gemini, Ernst & Young
Interaction Director, DareStep
2000 – 2001
Responsible for new business pitches, creative direction and project development methodology.
News America Digital Publishing
Senior Technical Producer
1999 – 2000
Oversaw and architected the protocol and production of client-side development projects.
The Wall Street Journal
Art Director
1995 – 1998
Member of original team that launched Money & Investing Update in 1995 and the full interactive edition in 1996.
TEACHING
Spring Studio
Instructor
2016-2018
Josef Alber’s Interaction of Color
School of Visual Arts
Adjunct Professor
2003-2006
Intro to Web Programming
Multimedia Studio II
Multimedia Studio II
Parsons School of Design
Adjunct Professor
2001-2005
Intro to Databases
Concepts in Programming
Concepts in Programming
EDUCATION
School of Visual Arts
Master of Fine Arts in Multimedia and Interactivity
Rutgers College, Rutgers University
Universitá di Firenze
Universitá di Firenze
Bachelor of Arts