Career Progressions

Curious about the human need for playful learning, I care about delivering delightful onboarding experiences that maximize access to information systems and minimize harm. maximizing and democratizing learning value for everyone resonates deeply with me as a continuous learner, and is a driving force throughout my work.

Roots

I am deeply rooted in philosophical inquiry (why is this principle sound?), cultivation of creativity (art that matters inspires), and empirical testing (how will human behavior be impacted by digital rules and experiences?). In college, I studied big ideas about ethical systems and theories of knowledge (philosophy) and cognitive science, while cultivating creativity in classical art- painting and writing. When I graduated, I wanted to make creative contributions to society as an art director, but first, I decided to get acquainted with computers! I discovered an intensive, year-long international certificate program in new media design and embarked upon an incredible, transformative learning journey with an international cohort supported by the creative communities of Rhode Island School of Design and Fraunhofer Center for Research in Computer Graphics.

From new media artist to developing new media products

Inspired by developments in animation technology that brought us the Matrix, I emerged from creative studies in new media design at RISD and Fraunhofer Center for Research in Computer Graphics to begin my career as a Technical Artist building new worlds to explore for the video game Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds. 

Over time, I gradually evolved from designing with creative new media tools to producing and product managing new media products and platforms. This growth was supported by spending 15+ years within Bay Area creative networks, working in big media and technology companies with legacies in industry-defining product innovation, like Apple, MTV, Amazon and Sony PlayStation. 

Shoots

From service support to producing apps that extend the services

Fortunate to work at Apple during the launch of the iPhone, I learned lessons from resolving a messy MobileMe internet services (now iCloud) rollout. I progressed to extend Apple’s cloud services by producing a new suite of applications (iWork) for two new mobile product form factors: iPhone and iPad. I relished the move from service support to producing innovative consumer experiences to introduce new product lines. The opportunity to produce brand-new applications zero-to-one (like rewriting the book for a brave new world | link to iBooks Author) lit a lasting fire within me.

From product managing social games to mobile social gaming platforms

After Apple, I dove into product management, initially in the domain of social gaming. Driven by a deep and lasting curiosity for ways kids learn through play together, I grew from building social games for kids, to developing a social gaming platform, then a global mobile social gaming platform. 

Expanding product domain to platforms leveraging big data, including ML & AI

Gravitating towards system thinking and platform development over time, my domain focus shifted to building consumer grade learning systems enhanced by emerging technologies in big data, including ML/AI elements. Products developed in this domain included: a smart-reader leveraging machine learning to deliver news feed by words and phrases, writing assistance for students and their teachers, and methods to learn new ways to play across the PlayStation ecosystem (console, mobile, web). During this time, I discovered I care deeply about building helpful, accessible and responsible learning systems.

Fruits

Iterative reflection on what matters to me 

After launching several products and platforms from zero-to-one, I began reflecting on innovation leaps that framed game-changing new product introductions. Revolutionary new technology only changes industries and markets when harnessed into products that fulfil unmet human needs. The human needs I’m consistently curious to learn about and help fulfil involve playful learning and making learning accessible and valuable for everyone. I thrive when building products that align with my curiosity- to educate, entertain and inform. Maximizing and democratizing learning value resonates deeply with me personally, and has continued to provide a driving force throughout all my work.

Making big leaps

(Comment on previous leaps: artist -> producer -> product manager in high tech -> head of innovation for LEGO) I’m convinced we learn through play. I’m deeply curious about building constructive experiences into open learning systems. Towards the end of the pandemic, I made the leap from leading product management in the high tech startup culture of San Francisco to establishing innovation missions for LEGO’s Creative Play Lab, where empower teams to pioneer meaningful ways to learn through play for the builders of tomorrow. 

Building community along the journey 

Because I’m a craftsman at heart, and I enjoy the craft of product design, development and management, I develop templates, techniques and talks to share with others along the journey.  I began cultivating my product community by mentoring and guest lecturing at the Product School in San Francisco and San Jose. For a couple of years beginning in 2018, I spoke at The Product Event in San Francisco on Product Management & Innovation. I developed and launched a Mentorship Program for PlayStation, San Francisco on behalf of WiTS (Women in Technology @Sony) that continues to flourish. I also led the San Francisco chapter of  Women@PlayStation for a year. I continue to mentor product managers, inventors, technologists and researchers at the LEGO Group, and have been building new communities focused on strategic leadership to catalyze innovation. As an Open Innovation Fellow for London & Partners and the Royal College of Art, I spoke on a symposium on corporate acceleration at the Imperial College Business School.

Outside work

If you can’t reach me via technology, I’m probably outside gardening. Possibly with a book, or with my partner, Bob. I may also be traveling to visit friends and family across the globe.