Navigating your Design Leadership Journey


Leading design can be a uniquely challenging experience. You're constantly balancing the need for creativity and innovation with business objectives and technical constraints. It's a delicate dance that requires strategic thinking, strong communication, and an unwavering focus on user-centered design. And let's be honest, sometimes it feels like you're the only one who remembers that design is about solving real human problems, not just making things look pretty.

Whether you're stepping into your first leadership role as a Head of Design, navigating the responsibilities of a VP, or charting the course as a Chief Design Officer, I'm here to help you succeed.

New to Design Leadership?

The leap from IC designer to Design Leader can feel like crossing a vast chasm. I'm here to help you navigate this transition and grow confidently into your new role. Here's how I typically support emerging design leaders:

Evangelizing Design as a Strategic Function

  • Communicate design's value to stakeholders who might see it as purely aesthetic
  • Build a design-thinking culture that extends beyond your immediate team
  • Align design initiatives with broader business goals and metrics
  • Transform design into your organization's unfair advantage

Strengthening Cross-Functional Partnerships

  • Build strong partnerships across teams - from engineering to marketing, sales, and beyond
  • Develop strategies to navigate competing priorities and tight deadlines
  • Craft a shared design language that resonates with non-designers

Navigating the IC-to-Leader Transition

  • Develop leadership principles that align with your design philosophy
  • Balance high-level strategy with tactical execution (yes, you can still open Figma)
  • Manage team dynamics, including those designers with strong opinions about everything
  • Build confidence in decision-making, especially with ambiguous design challenges

Seasoned Design Leader?

Whether you're looking to expand into adjacent functions or strengthen your organization through design, I'm here as your thought partner. Here's how I typically collaborate with experienced design leaders:

Breaking Through the Design Leadership Ceiling

  • Develop strategies to grow your impact beyond traditional design boundaries
  • Position yourself as a key strategic partner in the C-suite
  • Navigate the challenges (and leverage the advantages) of being "the design voice" in high-level business discussions

Cultivating Innovation Culture

  • Create an environment that encourages thoughtful risk-taking and creative problem-solving
  • Balance design consistency with innovation
  • Develop processes for rapid experimentation without sacrificing quality

Staying Relevant and Growing

  • Evaluate new design trends and technologies effectively (because not everything needs a dark mode toggle)
  • Build a personal learning and development plan to keep your skills sharp
  • Apply your experience to challenges across your organization

Ready to Elevate Your Design Leadership?

Whether you're taking your first steps into leadership or you've been shaping design strategies longer than some of your team members have been alive, I'm here as your trusted advisor and thought partner. My background spans large tech companies and high-growth startups, complemented by years of professional coaching experience — bringing a unique perspective to your challenges.

Let's explore how we can work together to unlock your full potential as a Design Leader. My approach adapts to your specific needs, whether you're establishing design processes in a fast-growing startup or evolving the design culture in an established company. And don't worry, I promise not to suggest that you test 41 shades of blue.

Client Testimonials