I have a non-linear backstory vibrant with diversity & personal growth.
Quick facts
MS in Information Studies (HCI + Responsible AI), UT Austin
BFA in Communication Design + Anthropology Minor
Native Austinite + explorer of cultures, systems, and stories
First-generation college graduate + no sabo kid from Dove Springs
#1 Belgian Malinois mom
I was once gifted a mug that said "chaos coordinator."
I'd never thought of it that way, but I think it's accurate...and I love that mug! I translate chaos into order and shape product direction by blending design thinking, social science, the scientific method, and visual storytelling.
I cut my teeth in New York City.
At EY Advanced Technology Tax Lab, I led the design of private blockchain and AI-based UX solutions for global financial information exchange challenges, such as TaxGrid, in collaboration with world governments, academia, and industry partners. During my "New York era," I also:
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Designed marketing materials for brands like Lufthansa, The Yankees, and Links of London at Catch24 Advertising and Design.
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Consulted for NYU Steinhardt EdTech Accelerator supporting a girls in STEM product.
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Architected a custom CMS to manage game events, content, and data analytics for a Billboard Hot 100 app.
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Spearheaded the design of Duke Farm's first app to improve operational efficiency and accessibility.
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Led design in a small marketing team at a financial services company, improving UX practices.
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Led UX design for the inaugural NYC Blockchain Weekend organized by CoinDesk.
This is where I became addicted to great coffee shops and very long walks in any weather. NYC is my other home.
I found my love for research & innovation at UT Austin.
Most recently, I was contracted by UT's Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors to lead the strategy of the new Texas Resilience Institute website, a major community platform for climate resilience launching in 2027.
My journey through UT's innovation ecosystem also included:
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AI Health Lab: Led market research via the NSF Innovation Corps program for a product idea on cognitive behavioral therapy for women 18-30 with ADHD.
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Human-AI Interaction Lab: Streamlined operations, established a recruiting pipeline to the top Texas design school programs, institutionalized the LabOps Coordinator role, and contributed UX to AI research
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UT-City Climate CoLab: Introduced UX and visual communication design through my work on the Austin Future Climate Report and Data Portal, institutionalizing the designer role and a lab coordinator role.
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EcoCentric Future Lab: Contributed to and unified a poster series on animal-computer interaction and interspecies intelligence for an art show
Special interests
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How to operationalize responsible AI in different contexts
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The impact of AI on creativity and meaning
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Ethical animal-computer interaction for conservation practices
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Plant intelligence, interspecies intelligence, and different ways of knowing and communicating
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Interaction patterns between AI and neurodiverse people
I stay involved with community.
I have stayed involved over the years through nonprofit organizations like Rainforest Partnership and Women and Climate, with more recent involvement at OpenAustin.
At Open Austin, I'm serving as co-chair of the new Educate program, where I'm helping to develop curriculum for open data and responsible AI literacy in civic tech.
When not working, you'll find me outside with my Belgian Malinois, Adele. I enjoy personal development, global travel, and art-making with friends.
I love a good adventure.
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Pilgrimage // Hiked the last 114km of El Camino during a record heatwave in Spain.
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Solo-adventure // Trekked through Kauai by foot, SUV, and helicopter.
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Extreme Sports Photography // Aerial shot the toughest off-road racing event on Earth from a doorless helicopter in the Mojave Desert (think off-road Burning Man).
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Backpacking // Explored beautiful historic cities for 3 weeks across Italy, Spain, and France.
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Hobbitting // Spontaneously lived in a cabin on the side of a snow-covered mountain for a month.
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A Leap Towards Living // Packed my life into 2 suitcases and moved to NYC for the challenge, the movement, and personal growth.
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Future Goals // Exploring the fjords of Norway, biking the Golden Circle in Iceland, hiking with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, canoeing through mangrove forests in Okinawa, meeting elephants in Thailand, and learning from monks in Tibet. Digital nomad?
