Work Experience
June 2024 - Present
Director of Product Experience
As Director of Product Experience at Reading Horizons, I lead a cross-functional team focused on designing and delivering innovative solutions to advance literacy education. I drive strategic product vision and collaborate closely with engineering, UX/UI, and curriculum teams to align product development with market needs, supporting Reading Horizons' growth and impact.
My work includes:
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Product Vision & Roadmapping: Shaping product strategy, defining outcomes, and prioritizing development.
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Empowered Product Teams: Leading small, agile teams to deliver user-centered solutions.
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Customer-Centric Design: Utilizing research to validate hypotheses and refine product direction.
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Cross-Functional Leadership: Aligning UX, curriculum, and technology for cohesive, goal-driven solutions.
I’m passionate about fostering a product-first culture, centered on customer needs, rapid iteration, and measurable results.
Dec 2023 -
Jul 2024
Director of Product Management
As the Director of Product Management at Reading Horizons, I thrived when leading strategic initiatives that drove product growth and resonated deeply with our users' needs. I co-created detailed roadmaps, assembled dynamic teams, and fostered innovation to create products that made a tangible impact in schools nationwide. One of my key accomplishments was the creation of visually appealing reports that communicated skill proficiency and return on investment, making data easy to navigate, store, and retrieve. I also developed a new student activity to enhance engagement, facilitated the rollover for each school year to help schools compare student growth year to year, and created new grade tracks and experiences for grade 3 teachers to expedite instructions and access more relevant content. What truly energized me was the collaborative teamwork required to solve complex problems, and my role allowed me to facilitate these conversations with enthusiasm and purpose.
2021 - 2023
VP of UX
Transitioning to the VP of User Experience role allowed me to delve deeper into the intricacies of user-centric design, a realm that perfectly complemented my passion for solving customer problems. Instead of solving them with customers in the field, I could take an upstream approach and build products that solved problems proactively. Leading a proficient UX team, I've had the privilege of refining our design process to ensure it remains finely attuned and is empathetic to the holistic journeys of our diverse user base.
2015 - 2020
Director of Customer Success
Reflecting on my tenure as the Director of Customer Success, I'm immensely proud of our pioneering work in establishing a robust customer success discipline. From forging strategic partnerships to navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, every endeavor was guided by a relentless commitment to customer satisfaction. Personally managing a portfolio of customer accounts provided firsthand insights that shaped our strategic decisions and fostered enduring relationships built on trust and mutual success.
Education
2016 - 2020
User Experience Certification from Nielsen Norman Group
My journey with Nielsen Norman Group training has been transformative. Embracing the concept of total experience, I've delved into a business strategy that prioritizes the creation of superior shared experiences across all touchpoints. Through this training, I've honed my skills in user experience and applied them not only to product design but also to leadership and operational processes. By integrating UX principles into our product development operations and fostering a collaborative team environment, I've been able to drive meaningful improvements in both our products and our teamwork dynamics.
2016 - 2020
Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from University of Utah
Balancing full-time work with my studies, I recognized the importance of applying my customer service skills in a leadership capacity, all while honing my soft skills to influence organizational behavior and culture. This dual focus on personal development and cultivating future leaders was driven by my vision to make Reading Horizons not only profitable but also the best place possible to work. My degree provided me with the tools and insights necessary to navigate complex business dynamics, foster teamwork, and drive sustainable growth.
2012 - 2016
Associates Degree in Business from Salt Lake Community College
I earned my associate's degree while delving into the world of technology. Armed with certifications in Comptia A+ and Network+, I initially charted a path toward cybersecurity. However, my journey took a turn when I discovered my passion for working with people. This realization led me to pivot towards a business degree. This has equipped me with a unique blend of technical expertise with a people-centric focus.
Skills & Expertise
- Mixed Methods User Research
- Product Management
- Journey Mapping
- Persona Building
- Wireframing & prototyping
- Presenting
- Product Marketing
- Customer Solutions Management
- Customer Advocacy Management