Originally from Gisborne, a gem on Aotearoa’s (New Zealand’s) east coast, my early years were spent enjoying the rich natural beauty of the Land of the Long White Cloud, from the sandy beaches of Gisborne to the crackling-hot summers with family friends at Mahia Peninsula, to the haunting serenity of Lake Waikaremoana. My father’s vineyard, our family holidays, and our collection of farm animals ignited a lifelong passion for the natural world.
A love of traveling has taken me from living in Sydney to thrilling rickshaw rides in Udaipur, India, where Octopussy was filmed, and the breathtaking Annapurna trek in Nepal's Himalayas. I've explored the United States and visited Japan, gaining diverse perspectives that deepen my appreciation for New Zealand's relaxed way of life, stunning landscapes, and, of course, our killer coffee.
I'm a proud dog mum to Diesel, my not-so-adept-at-fetching golden retriever. He's really more of a silver or bronze retriever, at best. Together, we're regulars at the local beach and walkways, enjoying the companionship of friends and the beauty of our local landscape. While Diesel adventures, I find peace in the tranquility around us, and I'm always deeply moved to witness the natural beauty New Zealand offers.
I enjoy the work of artists like Jonathan Gemmell, Alicia Beech, and Clair Bremner. Their free-spirited and colourful interpretations of nature fascinate me, and I’m inspired by their ability to see the world around them in new and creative ways.
Kia ora - hello!
Rainy days find me curled up with a good book, often accompanied by a steaming cup from a nearby café. And when not immersed in literature, I challenge myself with contract bridge, which I took up during COVID lockdowns. It's a tough game, but the joy of partnership and strategy keeps me hooked.
Nga mihi nui - Thank you!
Professional Summary
My professional passion lies in unraveling complexity, supporting designers on their personal and professional journeys, and guiding teams towards designing product experiences that bring joy. While I enjoy working on the larger issues, I also have an eye for the smaller details; I can sense when a pixel is feeling a little off-colour or a vector line is just a tad too curvy.
Originally a website designer, I was captivated by the challenge of bringing fuzzy ideas to life on the screen. After my studies at The University of Auckland in Human Computer Interaction I transitioned into the field of user experience. Shortly after, I began at Optimal Usability, where I refined my skills in interaction design and consultancy, a period instrumental in developing my expertise in design, strategy, user research, usability, prototyping, and user testing across various industries.
During my tenure at Fiserv, I led UX for mobile products within the Digital Channels Division, managing the mobile design team and conducting crucial consumer research. At Aderant, I spent nine years leading their User Experience practice and advancing the UX processes for their enterprise practice management software solutions.
Now a seasoned UX leader with over 15 years of experience and expertise across diverse sectors including enterprise practice management, fintech, airlines, banking, public sector, universities, and retail, I specialise in leading and maturing design teams through human-centred design and design thinking practices.
I have extensive experience coordinating globally distributed teams, leading product design across various channels, technologies, and SaaS offerings, and playing a key role in creating and managing design processes and systems that enhance operational success.
Now, I'm eager for a new challenge, seeking opportunities that align with my leadership style fostering creativity, inclusivity, and respect and where I can contribute to products that offer real value to users.