Resume
PROFILE
Creative Director and Sr. UX Manager with executive-level product, development, biz dev, client and marketing expertise established over twenty-two years in digital development. Innovator with expert-level strategy, product design, UX, UI, User Research skills and vision as it relates to consumer-centered design best practices, Design Thinking and innovation techniques. Passionate leader with clear communication skills that excels at inspiring executives, clients and teams in the creation of exceptional experiences.
MY EXPERIENCE
Optum, Boston, MA Oct 2013 - Nov 2019
Sr. UX and Interactive Design Manager (User Experience Design Studio)
Provided strategic and creative vision by managing the creation of dynamic user experiences for consumer and provider-facing products aimed at revolutionizing healthcare. Implemented use of consumer-centered design techniques and Design Thinking to transform the way users interact in the digital space. Lead and inspired multiple teams of UX, UI and Research professionals towards the successful release of products.
Managed the Provider Touchpoint portfolio for UXDS, providing creative and strategic UX/UI/Research and Tech support for multiple products in the $50M+ UHC program.
Championed and implemented the use of consumer-centered design, Lean UX, Design Thinking and innovative research techniques on all projects by leading the execution of ethnographic research, market analysis, usability testing, journey mapping, personas, analytics, etc. to deliver on UHC ROIs.
Pitched creative strategy presentations to executive leadership to successfully drive adoption of consumer-centered design best practices throughout the workstreams of my team’s projects.
Managed the Boston UXDS team which included the mentorship of six direct reports including the implementation of a learning culture based on Design Thinking, research and analysis.
Led Agile teams of UX, UI and research through the product lifecycle; delivering roadmaps, design plans, wires, comps, style guides, research reports, etc. to drive strategic development.
Ran the day-to-day operation of my portfolio including budgets, creation of SOWs, business requirements, estimates, resource plans, delivery schedules, roadmaps feature lists, etc. along with the completion of all internal support and reporting documentation.
Partnered with Optum product team to establish Fusion Labs; an innovation strike team that used consumer-centered design to provide strategy, vision and support for multiple product offerings.
Worked with the State of Massachusetts as an Optum UX consultant to relaunch the Massachusetts Health Connector website – raising success rate of online applications from 32% to 96%.
Moonlight Media Consulting, LLC., Charlestown, MA Nov 2008 - Present
Founder/President
Manage all business operations of personally owned and operated digital media consulting company providing vision for both local and national clients on interactive UX and UI design, creative direction, production, digital branding, new media initiatives, innovation and multi-media positioning.
Work with clients such as the Yale University, The University of New Mexico, GorbyX and The National Urban Technology Center to provide strategy and design of innovative user experiences that take advantage of educational opportunities within the digital, online, social and mobile space.
Taught classes and gave lectures on writing, gamification and design at such prestigious institutions as Grub Street, Worchester Polytechnic Institute, Yale University, Northeastern University, the New England Institute of Art, the Art Institute of Colorado, Boston Post Mortem and more.
Coordinate events and represent products in the natural food channel for clients such as Spindrift Soda, Food Should Taste Good, Allegro Coffee, the Honey Pot Company and Whole Foods Market.
Foundation 9 Entertainment - ImaginEngine Studios, Framingham, MA Nov 2009 – Oct 2012
Creative Director/Executive Producer
As part of the executive team, managed the strategic vision for the studio including the transformation from a game developer into a profitable digital house highlighting gamified social and mobile experiences.
Transitioned twelve person studio with limited structure into a diverse twenty-six person team of multi-dimensional professionals capable of delivering products across all digital platforms.
Spearheaded the reinvigoration of creative team through the implementation of new creative philosophies, organizational framework, best practices and support. Built the team into twelve capable and diverse writers, designers, artists and testers with 100% track record for delivery.
Led all business development through establishment of a diverse global client list that included Unilever, Sketchers, Sega, Mattel, Hasbro, Disney, Encore, the BBC, NFL, U.S. Military and more.
Conceptualized, developed and designed CoSoMo technology suite; a digital loyalty program that uses networked connectivity to create a connected interactive experience evangelizing brands.
Managed rebranding of studio - leading to increased revenue and recognition.
Successfully managed global release of over twenty projects on thirty six different platforms.
THQ, Inc. - Helixe Studios, Burlington, MA Nov 2006 – Nov 2008
Lead Designer
Hired to add creative experience, leadership and structure to an inexperienced design department working on a variety of products including the global release of digital titles based on Pixar-licensed properties.
Built and managed a team of eight game designers, adding over twenty years of console, handheld and mobile experience to team within first few months of employment.
Implemented best practices for design department including philosophical overhaul, proper documentation structure, product reviews and shared ownership of UX, UI and creative design.
Acted as point of contact for clients and internal partners leading conceptualization, design and planning for release of award-winning hits like Pixar’s Ratatouille and Wall-E.
Worked with lead programmers and engineers to design internal tools and structure for TED, a proprietary game engine that was used as the foundation for multi-platform development.
NetDevil, Ltd., Louisville, CO Jan 2005 – June 2006
Lead Content Designer/Production
Brought on in the early stages of development to help spearhead the design and production direction for the global release of Auto Assault - a massive-multiplayer online universe.
Successively built and managed a team of up to sixteen internal designers and multiple outside contractors towards the creation of massive-multiplayer online universe.
Controlled budgets, scheduled milestones, managed tasks and maintained development goals using innovation and AGILE methodologies to assure product would be successfully released on time and on budget – a development cycle of only two years from concept to release.
Designed game levels, UX, UI, controls, and content, creating some of the most heralded in-game experiences using internal TESLA engine.
Conceptualized, managed and created all related offerings such as websites, forums, marketing materials, trailers, teasers and more that were used to promote product globally.
Jaleco Entertainment/VR1 Entertainment/Devil’s Thumb, LLC., Boulder, CO Jan 1997 – Feb 2004
Producer/Marketing and PR Liaison - Lead Writer/Cinematic Director
Hired as an Associate Designer and Producer, but quickly took on many more diverse responsibilities for an independent studio that was acquired and transformed into a global digital publisher.
Released over fifteen titles in various roles resulting in multi-millions in sales and countless awards.
Managed teams of over sixty engineers, designers, artists, audio engineers and testers towards the release of million-selling and award winning titles using innovation and AGILE methodologies.
Created and distributed all marketing materials to promote release of titles.
Managed the design, creation and upkeep of over sixteen company and product-related websites.
Led internal cinematic team towards the creation of in-game content as well as international trailers - one which was seen at AMC theaters prior to Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: Producer, Lead Writer, Cinematic Director, Media Marketing Manager, Editor
SKILLS
Microsoft Office Suite, the complete Adobe Suite, Axure, Sketch, 3D Max, Maya, video, photography, file sharing software such as Sourcesafe and Perforce, bug tracking software such as Fogbugz, and Rally, KLM software such as CogTool, analytic packages such as Google, Angelfish and Adobe Analytics and familiarity with programming languages like Flash, C++, Java, Angular and HTML. Proficient with both PC and Mac.
EDUCATION
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Jan 1994
Bachelor of Arts, double-major in Creative Writing and English Literature, minor in Advertising