Geoff Wilson's Work

About Me

Be useful.

That’s the heart of my mission as a thinker, writer, learner, maker, mentor, and general catalyst for change. I have an insatiable desire to understand how things work and why we do what we do, and it’s through this curiosity that I thrive. I’ll want to know about your business model within minutes of our first meeting, and I’ll be keen to dive into your riskiest assumptions and how we might answer them.

I love helping people tell a better story and get focused on the right things.

I am not your traditional life coach or adviser. I’m a Design Research Manager with 20 years of experience in spotting gaps in enterprise, startup, and creative environments. It’s my job and genuine joy to help unstick your thinking so you can live a better life and make better things.

Forget the plan; seize the opportunity.
Make decisions good enough for today.
Try something on for size and experiment.
Ask questions to unlock ideas.

If you’re looking for a trusted sounding board to bounce ideas off of or get a critical eye over your next move, email gwilsonswork@gmail.com and tell me what you’d like to dig into.

If you’re still reading this and craving even more words, then here is my atypical career summary: I am a generalist by nature.

I’ve been a people leader, startup advisor, mentor & coach, research manager, experience designer & strategist, product owner, software & test engineer, blogger, podcaster, course creator, meetup host, chapter lead, special events coordinator, workshop facilitator, conference speaker, comedy show producer, game show creator, stand-up and improv performer, FM radio DJ, band leader, jewellery maker, line cook, camp counsellor, volunteer, and more roles I’ve probably forgotten.

Geoff with both of his thumbs enthusiastically raised up
And this is me — the over-enthusiastic, em-dash loving guy typing these very words that you’re reading.
Do I look like my cartoon avatar? It’s not too far off, although I’m way more expressive in real life.

Career

I’ve been employed or freelancing going back 30 years to my teens in a wide range of technical, design, and event facilitation roles (crudely simplified in the bullet points below). You can also see what I’m up to now or follow along on LinkedIn.

  • Design Researcher Manager (Kiwibank)
    • Senior Design Researcher (Kiwibank)
    • Customer Experience Research Manager (Kiwibank)
    • Customer Propositions Manager (Kiwibank)
  • Clarity Mentor & Adviser (freelance)
  • Co-Host – Auckland chapter (HackAotearoa)
  • Co-Producer (Paper Goat)
  • Experience Strategy Consultant (Hato Hone St John Ambulance)
  • Event Host & Social Media Manager (UX Auckland)
  • Product Owner + UX Lead (Northrop Grumman Mission Systems)
    • Software Systems Engineer (Northrop Grumman Mission Systems)
    • Software Engineering Intern (Northrop Grumman Mission Systems)
  • Special Events Coordinator (Virginia Tech Dining Services)
    • Student Manager (Virginia Tech Dining Services)
  • Line Cook (Sal’s Pizzeria)
  • Summer Camp Asst. Counsellor (YMCA)

Appearances

Co-HostHackAotearoaGridAKLAug 2026 – present
MentorAI Hackathon 2026AcademyExAug 2026
MentorHackAotearoaGridAKLMay 2026 – present
GuestPerfectly Cromulent Moments VIwith Nav RaoMay 2026
GuestWhy Curiosity Is the Real Superpower for Designers & CreatorsBearTalkSep 2025
GuestThe Cost Of Greatness (Part III): A Star Is Born (2018)Ruddle Me This! with Taylor RuddleNov 2025
GuestThe Cost Of Greatness (Part II): Whiplash (2014)Ruddle Me This! with Taylor RuddleFeb 2025
GuestThe Cost Of Greatness (Part I): ‘The Menu’ with Comedian Geoff WilsonRuddle Me This! with Taylor RuddleDec 2024
GuestPost Mortem of the ‘What Do We Reckon’ ProjectRuddle Me This! with Taylor RuddleDec 2024
Co-Producer & PerformerThe Dice Show @ NZ International Comedy FestivalPaper GoatMay 2024
Co-Producer & PerformerThis Might Get Weird @ Wine CellarPaper GoatJul 2024 – Sep 2023
Workshop Lead & Co-ProducerLevel Up Your Co-Designs Skills #secretlyimprovUX AucklandFeb 2024
Co-Producer & PerformerThe Dice Show @ The Factory TheatrePaper GoatNov 2023
Co-Creator, Co-Producer,
Writer, & Performer		POINTS! A Comedy Panel Game Show For Humans Being @ Pitt St TheatrePaper GoatJul 2023
Performeropen mic & improv comedyAuckland, NZJul 2024 – Jul 2021
Producer & HostEveryday Experiences PodcastGeoff Wilson’s WorkNov 2022 –Jun 2022
PanelistWhat Is Needed To Create Agile Teams And Strengthen Culture To Improve Customer Experiences?Future CX SummitJun 2022
PanelistHow Can We Build And Nurture Customer Trust And Engagement Within Service Journeys?Future CX SummitJun 2022
HostUX Radio Hour: Recognising and Validating Assumptions to Reduce RiskUX AucklandAug 2020
HostUX Radio Hour: Let’s Talk About Our MistakesUX AucklandJul 2020
HostUX Fireside Chat: Qualitative vs Quantitative Research MisconceptionsUX AucklandJun 2020
HostUX Fireside Chat: PersonasUX AucklandJun 2020
Co-hostSeeing 20/20 Clearly – What To Know When Job Hunting This YearUX AucklandFeb 2020
Co-hostUX Lightning TalksUX AucklandJul 2019
Co-hostUX/CSS Collaboration meetupUX AucklandMay 2019
Chapter LeadVirginia Tech Alumni Association Chapter 251 – NZAuckland, NZDec 2020– Nov 2011
MusicianThree Green Monkeys: Live On AirWUVT 90.7FMApr 2010
DJNew Music HourWUVT 90.7FMOct 2009– Dec2009