Talks
A decade of conversations on design leadership — keynotes, panels, podcasts, and workshops.
From Google I/O to design programs at CCAto leadership podcasts, the through-line is the same: how to build, hire, and lead design teams that compound the company’s product ambitions over time.
Linux for Chromebooks · Google I/O 2019
The session that came out of five years on Chrome OS— how to design a simple, secure developer platform on Chromebooks while hiding the operating system’s complexity from the developer.
Topics I speak on
- —Building design organizations from zero, especially inside 20-year-old companies
- —Design leadership in regulated industries (fintech, healthcare, enterprise)
- —AI-native product building from the operator seat
- —Hiring design talent — what to screen for, what to ignore, why most rubrics fail
- —The defined-scope executive engagement as an operating model
Recent venues include Google I/O, CCA’s Design MBA program, and design-leadership podcasts. Get in touch ↗
Selected speaking
Reverse chronological. A mix of keynotes, panels, podcasts, workshops, and AMAs — most include a public link.
- Feb 2025WorkshopCCA · Design MBA
Dealing with the Delta: The Gap Between Expectations and Reality
A workshop for Design MBA students at California College of the Arts on preparing for and navigating the gap between expectations and the reality of a working environment.
Event page ↗ - Nov 2024PodcastSamelogic Podcast · w/ Dwayne Samuels
Building High-Performance UX Teams
A conversation about inclusive UX hiring practices and nurturing leadership talent — turning unique perspectives into team strengths.
Listen ↗ - Aug 2024PodcastSonder Search Leaders Podcast · w/ Kristie Craft
Design Leadership & the Career Journey
On design leadership and the impact of leading with empathy — what it does to teams, to culture, and to the work itself.
Listen ↗ - Feb 2024PanelCCA · Design MBA
Design is Not Just for Pretty Things
Panel discussion hosted by the DMBA program at California College of the Arts on how design is shaping the future of business and careers.
Event page ↗ - Feb 2024PodcastThe Design MBA Podcast · w/ Jayneil Dalal
Hiring, Building, and Nurturing Positive Teams
On design leadership and the everyday work of hiring, building, and nurturing positive teams and cultures.
No public link - Nov 2023AMACCA · Communication by Design (MDes)
Leveraging Communication for Leadership & Growth
AMA with the Communication by Design class in CCA's MDes program on leveraging communication for leadership development, storytelling, and professional growth.
Program page ↗ - Jan 2022TalkWomen in Design Conference · Ideate Labs
Being a Mom in Design and Tech
A talk on how women in tech can overcome challenges by intentionally designing life to thrive in both acts — motherhood and a demanding career.
No public recording - Oct 2019Talkgoog.web · Google's internal Developer conference
Research-Driven Chromebook Developer Experience Design
On the research-informed design approach behind a user-focused developer experience on Chromebooks.
Internal · Google - May 2019KeynoteGoogle I/O 2019
Linux for Chromebooks: Secure Development
Talk at Google I/O 2019 on designing a simple, secure developer platform on Chromebooks — hiding the underlying complexity of the operating system from the developer.
Watch ↗ - Oct 2016PanelComputer History Museum
"Talking to the Future" at the Computer History Museum
Panel discussion on STEM career paths for Bay Area high school students — on how design and technology improve lives and influence change at scale.
No public recording
Smashing Magazine · Person of the Week
Named for building Nudges.FYI — a reference for designers, researchers and product builders working at the seam between behavioral science and AI.
Interested in having me speak?
Keynotes, panels, podcasts, and workshops on design leadership, hiring, and the organizational craft of building high-performance design teams. I respond personally within 48 hours.
Send an invitation ↗