I am a seasoned design leader committed to building digital products that deliver exceptional value to users and businesses. I build teams, foster a collaborative environment, and empower individuals to grow. I really enjoy both leveraging my strategic thinking at a high level to bring clarity to complexity, and rolling up my sleeves to work hands-on to create effective, thoughtful solutions to challenging problems.

While in-house at companies like Northwestern Mutual, LearnVest, and ATG, and while working at big agencies for clients like PwC, Uniqlo, and Samsung, I’ve led teams in building B2B, B2C, SaaS, and enterprise-level products that significantly increase conversion rates, retention, and revenues, while reducing costs. I excel at clarifying processes, defining strategies, streamlining complex digital ecosystems, and elevating branded product experiences to turn early adopters into loyal brand advocates.

As a design leader, I've played a pivotal role in developing roadmaps, robust strategies, and visions. My collaboration with product, technology, research, data, sales, and marketing leaders has consistently increased revenues and conversion rates. I've built highly functional design teams and inclusive cultures, focusing on mapping out individual career paths and helping designers build communication, collaboration, and leadership skills while prioritizing high-quality craft. I've organized workshops, mentorship programs, and peer support networking initiatives, and my expertise in product design and processes and culture-building has been recognized through invitations to speak at events or contribute to publications for TikTok, OnDeck, UX Collective, Bureau of Digital, and Design Leadership by InVision.

Little bit about myself

I have lived in NYC since 1994 but grew up in Seoul, Korea, where I was raised with three siblings by a poetry-loving feminist father and outgoing entrepreneur mother. I currently reside in Brooklyn with my teenage son and husband, and love to travel when I can, both domestically and around the world.

I took a sabbatical between October 2023 and September 2024 and rekindled my passion for making art, culminating in a small exhibition in Brooklyn. I also wrote the first draft of a novella based on my adventurous life as an immigrant, which I continue to edit in my free time. Art, design, and creativity are well integrated into my life and philosophy. I am inspired by art theory and how design uses it to impact people's lives.

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leadership experience

Building High-Performance Teams and Fostering Growth

I build teams by identifying uniquely talented individuals with the potential to both teach and learn from one another, fostering growth and collective success. Even when hiring junior designers, I look for leadership potential—those who take ownership and collaborate for the success of the team. My recipe of keeping turn-over low and building an efficient team starts with helping individuals discover their career paths and personal vision, guiding them toward building an intentional and fulfilling career.

Capabilities

I’ve led teams in developing B2B, B2C, SaaS, and enterprise-level products for global corporations and startups, shaping product visions, creating actionable roadmaps, and driving measurable business results.

Design Strategy & Execution

Drive user-centered design principles across the organization.
Ensure high-quality design aligned with brand values.
Use research and analytics to inform, validate design strategies, and develop insights into user journeys and pain points to guide impactful solutions.
Measure performance and iterate for better outcomes.
Build and scale design systems for efficiency.
Utilize generative AI and other emerging technologies to drive innovation, streamline research and testing, and accelerate product ideation.

Strategic Planning & Operations

Craft visions with top-down and bottom-up collaboration to create actionable and aligned product roadmaps with short- and long-term goals.
Tie design decisions to measurable business outcomes, including increased conversion, higher retention, and reduced costs.
Streamline workflows and align cross-functional teams using agile or hybrid methodologies.
Build consensus and resolve conflicts between user, business, and technical needs.
Effectively manage budgets, tools, and resources to maximize impact.

Leadership & Team Building

Define and communicate a compelling design vision aligned with business goals.
Collaborate effectively across product, engineering, marketing, C-suite, operations, and external partners.
Build, mentor, and retain diverse, high-performing teams, and foster a culture of innovation, growth, and accountability.
Lead with empathy, fostering trusting and collaborative culture, and promoting inclusive and ethical design.

See My Work

Notable Achievements & Projects

Increased ROI and conversion rates substantially for Northwestern Mutual, Uniqlo, Michael Kors, Samsung, LiveAuctioneers, and more.
Created award-winning SaaS products with a content publishing system to achieve digital transformation for PwC.
Implemented AI, voice activation, new shipping and payment systems, search, filter, and checkout features for Local Motors, Michael Kors, Uniqlo, LiveAuctioneers, ATG, and more.
Built design systems, design foundations, and DS operation models for Northwestern Mutual, ATG, Michael Kors, Uniqlo, Kaiser Permanente, Paper Source, and more.
Developed branding strategy and successfully led efforts to transform the perception of Samsung's electronic products from a budget brand to a higher-end brand.

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Honors, Awards, & Public Speaking Engagements

Panel Speaker, Lemon 8 Community by Tiktok, 2024
Keynote Speaker, Scaling the Design System Team, Design Leadership Forum by InVision, 2022
Interview, Untold Design Stories Podcast by OnDeck, 2021
Design Fellowship Founding Member, OnDeck, 2021
FWA Jury Spotlights, 2016
Midas Awards - Silver Midas, 2014
PwC 365 / Mobile/Hand-Held Device
Midas Awards - Midas Certificate, 2014
PwC 365 / Products & Services
Midas Awards - Midas Certificate, 2014
PwC 365 / Use of Discipline
Midas Awards - Midas Certificate, 2014
PwC 365 / Products & Services
FWA Award, 2009, Garia, Luxury Golf Car

see my work

My design and leadership Philosophy

I believe that crafting meaningful user experiences is the most effective way to turn users into loyal brand advocates, helping businesses grow and succeed. This philosophy shapes how I manage teams, strategize vision, lead projects, and collaborate across all areas of business.