More About Me.
I'm an experienced User Research leader and former startup executive. I'm in my element when I'm enabling companies to make better decisions and find product-market fit through research.
I started my career in applied research at Facebook after completing a PhD in Communication, with a focus on the Sociology of communication technologies and social media.
I've held research leadership roles at larger companies (Meta, Tripadvisor) as well as startups (Buoy Health, Material Bank). In addition to research leadership roles, I've also led Product and Content teams - always ensuring the right insights are available to drive strategy.
I specialize in building impactful research practices from the ground-up and combining the rigor of PhD level research with the reality of fast moving environments and growing teams.
I have taught University courses on new technology, and sporadically speak on the topics of women in tech and research leadership.
For 15 minutes I was the world's foremost expert on selfies, and once interviewed Miley Cyrus.
Professional Experience
2023-2024
Material Bank
Senior Director, Research & Interim Head of Product
Led the centralized product team (Product Management, Operations, Analytics, Research) on an interim basis and managed the global UX and Market Research efforts. Conducted mixed methods research.
2020-2023
Buoy Health
Senior Vice President, Research & Content
Core Executive team member with responsibility for driving strategic decision making and growth of UX KPIs through leadership of Research, Content, and Product Marketing functions.
Vice President, Research & Insights
Led Buoy’s research initiatives and built out a research team encompassing product insights (UX Research), marketing/branding insights, and new ventures/incubating products.
Head of User Research
Founded a research capability at a pre- product-market fit digital health startup. Lead multi-method foundational research projects on both customer and end-user needs.
2015-2020
Tripadvisor
Director, Research (Head of Global Research Team)
Led Tripadvisor’s global UX and brand research team. Responsible for research across the product lifecycle – from exploratory to usability and optimization. Founder/Chair of Women@Tripadvisor.
Associate Director, Research
Grew the research team. Developed research tools and scaled research capabilities to meet growing demand and increasing focus on user experience.
Senior Manager, Research
Created and led the research function. Conducted foundational projects to inform strategy, partnered with product teams, and introduced UX measurement and tracking.
2012-2015
Meta (Facebook)
Research Manager
Managed the Pages research team through partnership with product management, design, engineering, content strategy, and analytics leads. Amplified the global research team impact through hiring, impact audits, and tools improvement.
UX Researcher
Researched the Facebook user experience through qualitative (usability, interviews, groups, diary studies) and quantitative (surveys, behavioral data analysis) methods. Focused on Engagement, Groups, Public Content, Friend Sharing, and the Youth segment.
2006-2012
Forrester Research
Senior Research Associate
Wrote reports and presented research on information technology leadership to clients. Conducted surveys and interviews with tech leaders, analyzed and visualized results.
Teaching
2015
University of California, Berkeley
Instructor: Sociology of Virtual Community and Social Media
Taught an Undergraduate/ Master's level lecture course on social media & society. Topics included: Theoretical foundations, social network sites & social capital, information dissemination and social influence, and more.
2011
University of Pennsylvania
Instructor: New Media & Community Life
Taught a discussion-based virtual class on new media and society. Topics included: Relationship formation, communication technologies & public spaces, youth & media, and more.
Education
2012
University of Pennsylvania,
Annenberg School for Communication
Ph.D., Communication
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Dissertation: "Friends in All the Right Places: Social
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Best paper awards: International Communication Association, Association of Internet Researchers, American Sociological Association
2005
Slade School of Fine Art,
University College London
Certificate, Alternative Foundation
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Mixed Media
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Drawing
2005
Tufts University
B.A., Sociology, summa cum laude
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Phi Beta Kappa
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The Sociology Prize
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Women's Crew Captain