About
About
15+ Years of Product Design & UX leadership, elevating teams and transforming experiences
15+ Years of Product Design & UX leadership, elevating teams and transforming experiences
Hi, I'm Steve, a product design leader who believes the best products come from deep understanding of the people who use them and the businesses that support them.
I started my career as a creative director focused on digital advertising, but found my calling in UX and product design, where I could create experiences that solve real problems and make life easier for millions of people. My favorite work happens in research sessions with users where I discover the insights that shape exceptional products.
I'm a maker and lifelong learner, always exploring the latest design tools, AI workflows, and creative techniques.
When I'm not collaborating with teams to ship products, you'll find me creating artwork, tinkering with my Vespa, traveling the world with my wife, or being judged by our three opinionated cats.
Above all, I love working with and mentoring smart, passionate people who care deeply about the work we create together.
Hi, I'm Steve, a product design leader who believes the best products come from deep understanding of the people who use them and the businesses that support them.
I started my career as a creative director focused on digital advertising, but found my calling in UX and product design, where I could create experiences that solve real problems and make life easier for millions of people. My favorite work happens in research sessions with users where I discover the insights that shape exceptional products.
I'm a maker and lifelong learner, always exploring the latest design tools, AI workflows, and creative techniques.
When I'm not collaborating with teams to ship products, you'll find me creating artwork, tinkering with my Vespa, traveling the world with my wife, or being judged by our three opinionated cats.
Above all, I love working with and mentoring smart, passionate people who care deeply about the work we create together.
Hi, I'm Steve, a product design leader who believes the best products come from deep understanding of the people who use them and the businesses that support them.
I started my career as a creative director focused on digital advertising, but found my calling in UX and product design, where I could create experiences that solve real problems and make life easier for millions of people. My favorite work happens in research sessions with users where I discover the insights that shape exceptional products.
I'm a maker and lifelong learner, always exploring the latest design tools, AI workflows, and creative techniques.
When I'm not collaborating with teams to ship products, you'll find me creating artwork, tinkering with my Vespa, traveling the world with my wife, or being judged by our three opinionated cats.
Above all, I love working with and mentoring smart, passionate people who care deeply about the work we create together.
Hi, I'm Steve, a product design leader who believes the best products come from deep understanding of the people who use them and the businesses that support them.
I started my career as a creative director focused on digital advertising, but found my calling in UX and product design, where I could create experiences that solve real problems and make life easier for millions of people. My favorite work happens in research sessions with users where I discover the insights that shape exceptional products.
I'm a maker and lifelong learner, always exploring the latest design tools, AI workflows, and creative techniques.
When I'm not collaborating with teams to ship products, you'll find me creating artwork, tinkering with my Vespa, traveling the world with my wife, or being judged by our three opinionated cats.
Above all, I love working with and mentoring smart, passionate people who care deeply about the work we create together.
Work Experience
Work Experience
Head of Product Design [Consultant]
Head of Product Design [Consultant]
AHEAD | May 2024 - Current
AHEAD | May 2024 - Current
I lead the Product Design team as a player/coach across two critical AI-infused SaaS products; partnering daily with Engineering to plan and build scalable solutions, create new design systems, and apply Generative AI techniques to accelerate research, design, and delivery.
I lead the Product Design team as a player/coach across two critical AI-infused SaaS products; partnering daily with Engineering to plan and build scalable solutions, create new design systems, and apply Generative AI techniques to accelerate research, design, and delivery.
UX & Strategy Partner [Consultant], Remote
UX & Strategy Partner [Consultant], Remote
ART X MACHINA | March 2025 - Current
ART X MACHINA | March 2025 - Current
I partner with the AXM team to lead client workshops, developing AI strategies that help businesses streamline workflows and unlock new capabilities using Generative AI tools and new processes. I also collaborate with clients to embed the AXM BrandKey into daily processes, ensuring consistent brand alignment across teams.
I partner with the AXM team to lead client workshops, developing AI strategies that help businesses streamline workflows and unlock new capabilities using Generative AI tools and new processes. I also collaborate with clients to embed the AXM BrandKey into daily processes, ensuring consistent brand alignment across teams.
Strategy & UX Director [Consultant], Remote
Strategy & UX Director [Consultant], Remote
Avenue Z | Apr 2024 - Oct 2024
I led process improvements in Strategy and Creative/UX, enhancing go-to-market capabilities through strategic analysis and process mapping. I optimized workflows and developed new strategy templates to boost collaboration and accelerate deliverables.
Spearheading product design of a new client-facing SaaS product, designing a FinOps IT dashboard and digital tools for clients to model short and long-term IT budget needs, resulting in improved user engagement and additional revenue.
VP, Global Head of User Experience
VP, Global Head of User Experience
iCrossing | Jun 2021 - Apr 2024
Mentored and directed global UX and Content Strategy teams of up to 25, crafting 10 mobile apps and 50+ websites for Fortune 1000 brands, resulting in over $5B in digital revenue for clients while maintaining a 95% employee retention rate for the past 3 years.
Key Clients: Bridgestone, American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, Boeing, CeraVe, Firestone, Hilton, Humana, IHOP, LaRoche-Posay, L’Oréal Paris, SkinCeuticals, T-Mobile, and Toyota
Spearheading product design of a new client-facing SaaS product, designing a FinOps IT dashboard and digital tools for clients to model short and long-term IT budget needs, resulting in improved user engagement and additional revenue.
Executive Creative Director, User Experience, Chicago
Executive Creative Director, User Experience, Chicago
iCrossing | Jan 2017 - May 2021
Established and directed the agency’s UX and Design Strategy practice, guiding cross-functional teams of up to 18 across 8 offices, averaging 20% practice revenue growth YOY through innovative research methods and design strategies.
Key Clients: Bridgestone, Firestone, Toyota, T-Mobile, Quaker Oats, Republic Services, LG, Wella, ISACA, Bayer, and City National Bank
Established and directed the agency’s UX and Design Strategy practice, guiding cross-functional teams of up to 18 across 8 offices, averaging 20% practice revenue growth YOY through innovative research methods and design strategies.
Key Clients: Bridgestone, Firestone, Toyota, T-Mobile, Quaker Oats, Republic Services, LG, Wella, ISACA, Bayer, and City National Bank
Group Creative Director, Chicago
Group Creative Director, Chicago
iCrossing | Aug 2007 - Dec 2017
Chicago Creative Lead, directing and mentoring an 18-person team of UX/UI Designers and Writers across 30+ B2C & B2B digital marketing accounts concurrently, with a 93% employee retention.
Key Clients: Beam-Suntory, Dremel, PepsiCo, AT&T, Naked Juice, Sargento, Stride Rite, Ally Bank, Voya, Roto-Rooter, and Pep-Boys
Chicago Creative Lead, directing and mentoring an 18-person team of UX/UI Designers and Writers across 30+ B2C & B2B digital marketing accounts concurrently, with a 93% employee retention.
Key Clients: Beam-Suntory, Dremel, PepsiCo, AT&T, Naked Juice, Sargento, Stride Rite, Ally Bank, Voya, Roto-Rooter, and Pep-Boys
Want to learn more?
Want to learn more?
Product Design Lead Consultant
IT Transformation Company (Under NDA) | May 2024 - Current
Spearheading product design of a new client-facing SaaS product, designing a FinOps IT dashboard and digital tools for clients to model short and long-term IT budget needs, resulting in improved user engagement and additional revenue.
Strategy & UX Consultant
I led process improvements in Strategy and Creative/UX, enhancing go-to-market capabilities through strategic analysis and process mapping. I optimized workflows and developed new strategy templates to boost collaboration and accelerate deliverables.
VP, Global Head of User Experience
Mentored and directed global UX and Content Strategy teams of up to 25, crafting 10 mobile apps and 50+ websites for Fortune 1000 brands, resulting in over $5B in digital revenue for clients while maintaining a 95% employee retention rate for the past 3 years.
Key Clients: Bridgestone, American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, Boeing, CeraVe, Firestone, Hilton, Humana, IHOP, LaRoche-Posay, L’Oréal Paris, SkinCeuticals, T-Mobile, and Toyota
Executive Creative Director, User Experience
Established and directed the agency’s UX and Design Strategy practice, guiding cross-functional teams of up to 18 across 8 offices, averaging 20% practice revenue growth YOY through innovative research methods and design strategies.
Key Clients: Bridgestone, Firestone, Toyota, T-Mobile, Quaker Oats, Republic Services, LG, Wella, ISACA, Bayer, and City National Bank