• An accomplished Industrial Designer with over 20 years of experience working with top brands, spanning consulting and corporate roles, distinguished by an ability to translate complex design and business objectives into successful consumer goods that maximize revenue and return on investment. Demonstrated expertise in leveraging user insights and human factors, working across international organizations to address global markets, driving innovation in both product and category strategies. Proven track record in leading projects and managing teams worldwide, adept at navigating diverse cultural contexts and customer needs. Excels in simplifying complex concepts for clients, leadership, and internal teams, fostering clear communication and strategic decision-making. Renowned for identifying opportunities for innovation that can distinguish brands, integrating innovative approaches to technical limitations, and enhance product success, as evidenced by numerous design awards and patents.

  • Instant Pot Brands, Chicago, IL
    A global leader in kitchen and household products, formed by the 2019 merger of Instant Brands and Corelle Brands, with a portfolio including iconic brands like Instant Pot, Corelle, and Pyrex, serving millions of customers worldwide through a workforce of 2,000+ employees.

    Principal Designer - Apr 2023 – Apr 2024

    •  Revamped Instant Pot’s entire multi cooker portfolio, creating meaningful differentiation, distinctive silhouettes and a new form language by reconfiguring and streamlining product internal architectures.

    • Conceived, designed and developed a patented Whisper Quiet steam venting mechanism which addressed the #1 pain point of consumers, drastically improving user experience and appealing to a hard-to-reach market segment.

    • Piloted the design of world’s first wide format multi cooker platform, applying human factors and usability principles to affect a paradigm-shift in a mature category.

    • Spearheaded the design of a groundbreaking family of air fryers with innovative visual design and a unique first-of-its-kind Clear Cook window feature.

    • Delivered meaningful growth and category expansion by designing and introducing the brand’s first non-pressure cooking platform, addressing a reluctant segment of consumers who are averse to pressure cookers.

    • Seamlessly integrated deep manufacturing knowledge and extensive user insights experience to deliver innovations that delight consumers and deliver business results.

    • Effectively collaborated with marketing, finance, and brand teams to identify opportunities, construct price point & channel strategies, and present compelling business cases to sr. leadership to inform key business decisions.

    • Diligently managed over 85% of all design projects and brand strategies, overseeing the development of diverse projects from concept to execution, supporting the brand's continued relevance to consumers and overall market success.

    Lead Designer - Dec 2014 – Apr 2023

    • Developed a revolutionary vented food storage system, earning both design and utility patents.

    • Refreshed aging food storage platforms with new vessels and a sleek new look.

    • Leveraged variations in glass manufacture to develop nature-inspired tableware patterns at greatly optimized cost.

    • Augmented tableware product offering with a new line of porcelain and wood serving pieces.

    • Developed a new generation of glass measuring cups to take advantage of new manufacturing methods and cost-reducing tooling strategies.

    • Resurrected a long-dormant cookware brand and introduced it to a new generation of consumers.

    • Drove product launches at multiple annual domestic and international trade shows, driving revenue growth through increased distribution and shelf placement.

    • Effectively managed design projects across multiple brands, leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques and technical insights to deliver appealing aesthetics while improving factory yield rates and optimizing part costs.

    • Proactively collaborated with cross-functional teams including marketing, sales, finance, and brand management to identify opportunities and ensure alignment with business objectives, contributing to a 15% increase in product distribution.

    TEAMS Design GmbH, Esslingen, DE
    The world’s oldest and most awarded design consultancy with over 100 designers. TEAMS Design is a global leader in product design and innovation, delivering cutting-edge product solutions to clients across diverse industries through its network of offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.

    Lead Designer - Feb 2009 – Apr 2013

    • Creatively led the design of 50+ products for Bosch power tools, the firm’s largest and founding client.

    • Conducted research and concept exploration, improving usability and safety via human factors insights to support Bosch’s position as an industry leader.

    • Coordinated the work of an international team of designers spanning 3 continents to maintain visual consistency and a uniform user experience across global markets.

    • Led weekly in-person client meetings with chief innovation and marketing officers, conducted in German, to communicate in real-time the ongoing work across all TEAMS field offices.

    • Efficiently supported production ramp-up, through direct involvement in 3D CAD modeling and prototyping, maintaining established standards and practices to ensure high-quality deliverables.

    • Traveled extensively to international manufacturing partners, working side-by-side with manufacturing engineers and production personnel.

    • Brought a fresh, outside perspective to the German design team, supporting design projects for major clients, including Bosch, Kärcher, and Silit/WMF.

    • Produced functional prototypes of power tools, collaborating with local and Asia-based suppliers to deliver high-quality proof-of-concept technology demonstrators.

    • Ultimately promoted to Lead Designer, relocating to Germany to oversee global projects and maintain visual branding across all offices.

    TEAMS Design USA, Chicago, IL

    Senior Designer - Mar 2004 – Feb 2009

    • Managed in-house design team to develop Bosch products for North American market.

    • Led weekly client meetings to present design concepts and project status updates to secure buy-in from stakeholders, streamlining project execution across various clients.

    • Managed relationships for multiple smaller clients, initiating projects, writing quotes and creating design briefs, increasing agency revenues and ensuring client satisfaction.

    • Engaged in daily international calls and one-on-one meetings with 20+ colleagues across global offices, fostering cross-cultural collaboration and driving alignment on design objectives.

    • Actively pursued new clients, conducting introductory meetings and landing new major clients, resulting in a 25% increase in booking of design services.

    • Mentored a team of 5-6 junior designers, fostering idea generation, refining concepts, and sharing best practices in 3D modeling, ergonomics and design, which improved team capabilities while increasing productivity and output.

    • Designed and engineered an innovative line of electric sharpening machines that has been in continuous production for more than 15 years.

    • Collaborated with first-time entrepreneurs and inventors, providing design services at no charge, and liaising with far-east manufacturers to deliver turn-key production contracts with revenue-generating royalties for the firm.

    • Conducted sourcing activities, connecting small businesses with domestic factories to support the local manufacturing community.

    • Product Design

    • Product Strategy

    • Platform Strategy

    • Product Innovation

    • Category Innovation and Strategy

    • Visual Branding

    • Creative Direction

    • Human-Centered Design

    • Human Factors

    • Usability Factors

    • Ergonomics

    • Client Relations

    • Sustainability Focus

    • Mentorship and Leadership

    • Invention

    • 3D Modeling

    • Advanced Surface Modeling

    • Formability and Manufacturability

    • Mechanical Design

    • Adobe Creative Suite

    • Patent and Award-Winning Design

    • Digital Sketching and Illustration

    • Rendering

    • Technical Problem-Solving

  • Good Design Award 2022 - The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design
    Instant™ Precision Dutch Oven

    Good Design Award 2022 - The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design
    Instant™ Vortex Clear Cook Air Fryer

    Good Design Award 2022 - The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design
    Instant™ Duo Crisp Ultimate Multi-Cooker & Air Fryer

    Good Design Award 2022 - The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design
    Instant™ Solo™ Single Serve Coffee Maker

    Red Dot award 2015 - "Best of the Best" - Red Dot GmbH & Co. KG
    Bosch™ GRA 53 Cordless Professional Lawnmower

    Red Dot award 2015 - Red Dot GmbH & Co. KG
    Bosch™ Flexidome Pano 7000MP

    Excellence In Design award 2011 - Appliance Design Magazine
    Mr. Coffee™ Optimal Brew

  • Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago, IL

    Bachelor’s Degree, Media Arts/Industrial Design