My Mantra
Listening actively allows us to understand the needs and concerns of our teams.
Questioning purposefully helps us clarify objectives and encourages deeper discussions, and
Leading through clarity ensures everyone is aligned and understands the vision.
A Bit of History
I’m originally from Chicago, and my path into design has been anything but traditional. I began my career in real estate, publishing, and advertising before discovering my passion for creating digital experiences that connect people. Along the way, I’ve explored more than 17 countries and 35 cities, gaining perspective on how people live, communicate, and adapt. That curiosity shapes how I lead building teams and products grounded in empathy, data, and human connection.
At the core of my work is connection. I believe great design happens when people feel supported, curious, and free to explore new ideas. My goal is to create environments and experiences that help others grow, making life a little easier, a little better, and a little more human.
I lead with empathy and execute with precision.
My approach combines strategic thinking with hands-on expertise, always keeping the user at the center while delivering tangible business value.
I specialize in simplifying complex user journeys, fostering collaborative team environments, and maintaining focus on both user satisfaction and team well-being.
A leader who inspires and drives results
What people are saying
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"From day one, Karen impressed me with her strategic thinking and ability to solve complex challenges. Her knack for blending analytical skills with creative insights has helped us not only meet our goals but often exceed them. She is an integral member of the team."
Kathy Thomson
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“I had the pleasure of working with Karen during our time at T-Mobile, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership as a Manager for Product Design. Leading her team on postpaid and prepaid e-commerce initiatives, Karen consistently drove fast results and fostered a collaborative environment. Her partnership with my content design team made our work much easier, and her ability to strategize and execute complex projects was always impressive.”
Taj Whitesell
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"Under her leadership, I was promoted to Senior Designer and received multiple awards for producing high-quality work. Karen helped me visualize and track my progress, which was a game-changer in how I approached my career. She encouraged me to prepare for performance reviews early, making the entire process far more meaningful and less stressful. Beyond that, she provided thoughtful feedback at a regular cadence, pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, and championed my growth in ways I hadn’t expected."
Jatin Gupta
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"Karen is committed to her team's professional growth, encouraged me to showcase my best skills. On multiple high-impact projects, I valued her support in helping me push back on poor UX decisions as well strongly advocate for a user-first approach.”
Sneha Joshi
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"Working with Karen at T-Mobile was a huge milestone in my career. My goal is to design for impact, and I quickly found that she sets up teams to do just that. She consistently connected my work to larger business objectives, ensuring what I delivered made measurable impact. If I ever needed help, Karen was there to prioritize effectively and align with other teams to move projects forward."
Alex Sivilay
