What I am
thinker | writer | learner | maker
believing that human and product interaction is a chance to leave the world a little better off—if done well
And this is me
Sharing things worth sitting with
To help turn busy into better
And be here now
Why?
Great question! It’s my favourite one; literally. I’m surprised it wasn’t my first word (it was Pepsi, which is problematic in its own way).
You see, I am consumed by an insatiable quest to understand why we do what we do and why that had or hadn’t worked.
From morning to evening, I’m asking why of myself and the things we do. It’s the basis of my daily reflective practice (alongside my second favourite question of, “What could I have done better?”).
And I’m best at bundling up these answers I’ve found so that Future Me can learn from Past Me’s mistakes; like marking a map of missteps to avoid. I accept the outcomes of my actions, and firmly believe that everything has trade-offs.
What I do
- Many things—these are what I’m doing Now 👀
- Sharing daily reflections and life lessons via Substack and this Blog📓
- Exploring design opportunities in the world around us on the Everyday Experiences Podcast 🎧 → new directly possibly in the works scratch my ever-present curiosity itch of how the world works
Where I’ve worked
I’ve been an experience researcher, designer, leader, product owner, engineer, podcaster, special events coordinator, meetup host, conference panellist, live comedy producer and performer, show co-creator, blogger, musician, radio DJ, line cook, camp counsellor, and general catalyst for change.
I’m a generalist by nature and an inquisitive soul tragically bent on adding value to people and products.
These were the more formal experiences that helped get me here:
- Kiwibank – CX Research Manager (effectively the same job as today)
- Kiwibank – Customer Propositions and Retention Manager
- St John NZ – Experience Strategy Consultant (self-employed)
- UX Auckland – Meetup Event Host + Social Media Manager
- Northrop Grumman Mission Systems – Product Owner + UX Lead
- Northrop Grumman Mission Systems – Software QA Engineer Intern (full-time)
- Northrop Grumman Mission Systems – Software Development Engineer Intern (full-time)
- Virginia Tech Dining Services – Dining Hall Student Manager (of 200+ part-time students a semester…woof!)
- Sal’s Pizzeria – Cook (I had applied to be a Bus Boy for my first paid job at 15, but they didn’t need that, they needed someone in the kitchen. OK!)
When I’ve spoke
(I’ll add my comedy production and performance ventures eventually)
- Host – Everyday Experiences Podcast (2020-2023)
- Guest – “99. Post Mortem of the ‘What Do We Reckon’ Project” – Ruddle Me This! with Taylor Ruddle (Dec 2024)
- Guest – “77. Breaking down ‘The Menu’ with Comedian Geoff Wilson” – Ruddle Me This! with Taylor Ruddle (Dec 2024)
- Panelist – “What Is Needed To Create Agile Teams And Strengthen Culture To Improve Customer Experiences?” – Improving Customer Service Design, Delivery & Experience Through Human-Centred Design Forum (Jun 2022)
- Panelist – “How Can We Build And Nurture Customer Trust And Engagement Within Service Journeys” – Improving Customer Service Design, Delivery & Experience Through Human-Centred Design Forum (Jun 2022)
- Host – “Recognising and Validating Assumptions to Reduce Risk” – UX Auckland (Aug 2020)
- Host – “Let’s Talk About Our Mistakes” – UX Auckland (Jul 2020)
- Host – “Qualitative vs Quantitative Research Misconceptions” – UX Auckland (Jun 2020)
- Host – “Personas” – UX Auckland (Jun 2020)
- Host – “Seeing 20/20 Clearly – What To Know When Job Hunting This Year” – UX Auckland (February 2020)
- Co-host – “UX Lightning Talks” – UX Auckland (Jul 2019)
- Co-host – “CSS Collaboration” – UX Auckland (May 2019)
- Co-host – [bimonthly UX networking events] – UX Auckland (Jun 2019 – Dec 2020)
- [and I can’t even begin to add up the hundreds of ways I’ve gotten myself on stage or to a podium]