PROFILE
With 25+ years experience in digital publishing and software design, I lead nimble product design teams to create goal-oriented, human-centered products and applications that people love to use. A passionate team leader, devoted people manager, and strong communicator, I lead with strategic direction to ensure these solutions are practical, scalable, and technically feasible.
I pull from my broad experience in technology, telco, digital publishing, and magazine writing to approach every challenge with a creative, problem-solving mindset and construct a strong narrative thread for every experience. A keen collaborator, I believe every successful outcome is ours to write together.
EXPERIENCE
Experience Director, Stellar Elements (formerly projekt202) • Austin, TX • 2/2024 - present
Associate Experience Director • 2/2022 - 1/2024
As an embedded part of client’s globally-distributed Agile product team, direct high-quality design teams to create concepts, prototypes & detailed deliverables that further business goals, meet user needs, & reflect technical realities. Lead with strategic vision to ensure each experience is scalable & future-proof while ensuring designs can be broken into practical features and fit within sprints.
Scope & staff projects, ID account growth opportunities, & pitch new work. Pivot & redirect projects as obstacles and new needs arise. Support collaborative & creative team problem solving, while emphasizing efficient practices, such as design systems. Provide clear & open communication with client, project, & internal teams, and pitch in with hands-on help whenever needed.
Provide compassionate career management focused on mentorship, curiosity, & communication. Fiercely advocate for reports, ensuring they receive ample opportunities for growth & recognition for their accomplishments. Focus on creating a close and supportive culture for remote group of reports.
Sr. UX Content Strategist, Stellar Elements/projekt202 • Austin, TX • 1/2018 - 1/2022
Provided strategic content guidance for B-to-B & B-to-C software, applications & digital experiences, collaborating closely with clients & globally-distributed, cross-functional teams.
Wrote UX copy for user validation testing & application development. Conducted content audits, mapped key communication points along user journeys, & created editorial calendars mapped to messaging pillars. Wrote editorial style guides & created overarching content strategies.
project202 rebranded as Stellar Elements in 2022
Consulting Content Strategist, Self-employed • Austin, TX • 11/2012 - 1/2018
Writer & content strategist solving content-based challenges for diverse national brands. Clients included Dell, Whole Foods, Livestrong, & Girl Scouts of the USA.
Deputy Digital Editor, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia • NY, NY • 3/2012 - 11/2012
Directed all aspects of Everyday Food’s digital strategy until MSLO folded it as a standalone publication. Served as editorial lead on Everyday Food Live app development team, released concurrent with Windows 8 platform launch.
Worked with cross-functional team to launch new daily video product, “Everyday Food with Sarah Carey,” growing viewership with an average 7% increase in views & 12% subscriber growth each month, up to 900,000 subscribers. Streamlined complicated workflow with extremely tight turnaround to eliminate pain points across several departments.
Sr. Web Editor, Delish.com; Hearst Digital • NY, NY • 5/2010 - 2/2012
Managed day-to-day editorial operations for a site with over 50 million PVs/month. Created editorial calendars, content processes, and top-edited all content before publication. Built & implemented yearly editorial content plans mapped to traffic goals.
Led design refresh & mobile site development.
Managed relationship with syndication partner and an internal team of 4 junior editors with diplomatic aplomb. Turned employees with disparate experience (& dedication) levels into an efficient, cohesive team.
Web Editor, SELF.com; Conde Nast • NY, NY • 1/2008 - 5/2010
Worked with cross-functional team to completely relaunch SELF.com, from conception to QA, based on competitive audits, user testing, & personas. Updated entire content structure & taxonomy, site architecture, & UX, including newly developed community & interactive log functionality.
Managed a team of 2 junior editors & producers; served as top editor before publication.
Assoc. Web Editor, Epicurious; Conde Nast • NY, NY • 6/2001 - 1/2008
Web Content Producer, Women.com • NY, NY • 1/2008 - 5/2010
Online Content Editor, Hearst New Media & Technology • NY, NY • 5/1998 - 4/1999
SKILLS
Editorial: Editorial Management & Processes, Digital Publishing, CMS, Style Guides, Top-editing, Feature & Article Writing
Team Leadership: Design Management, Career Growth & Mentorship, Coaching, Delegation, Effective Communication & Relationship Building, Cross-disciplinary Collaboration, Executive-level Presentations, Narrative & Storytelling, Resourcing, Hiring, Onboarding, Remote Team Leadership
Product Design & Project Operations: Agile Product Development, User Story Creation, Design Sprints, Asynchronous Collaboration, Design Systems, Project Scoping, Design Strategy, UX/User-centered Design, Content Strategy, Information Architecture, Generative & Validation Research, User Education & Training Content Development
AWARDS
Under the Radar Award - projekt202 (2019)
Recognition for high-contributing employees who make a difference without fanfare.
Webby Award: Best User Interface - Assess Your Risk by Bright Pink (2016)
Copywriter for breast cancer risk screening app
Atlanta Addy Bronze Award - Tablet (2013)
Everyday Food Live, Windows 8 App
Most Humorous Video Short (2012)
International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) New Media & Broadcast Award for “Spaghetti with Sweet 100 Tomatoes” music video.
EDUCATION
M.A. • NYU, Gallatin School of Individualized Study • New York, NY • 2007
B.A. • Loyola University • New Orleans, LA • 1994