About me
Product Design at the Intersection of Leadership and Innovation
Over 15 years, I've navigated the evolving landscape where design leadership meets technological advancement. My career hasn't followed a conventional path—it's been shaped by a deliberate pursuit of challenges that push boundaries and deliver measurable impact.
As Design Director, I don't just manage teams—I build environments where exceptional talent thrives. My approach cuts through organizational complexity to connect design decisions directly to business outcomes. This isn't about aesthetics alone; it's about creating systems that solve real problems while delivering compelling experiences.
What distinguishes my work is a practical commitment to AI integration. While others talk about AI's potential, I've been implementing it—transforming workflows, accelerating prototyping, and creating new possibilities for both designers and users. This isn't futurism; it's pragmatic innovation that delivers results today.
My leadership doesn't rely on authority but on clarity, collaboration, and measured outcomes. Teams I lead consistently exceed expectations because we establish transparent frameworks that balance creative exploration with business discipline.
I'm seeking opportunities where design serves as a genuine competitive advantage—organizations that understand great experiences aren't decorative but foundational to business success. My goal: creating digital products where user value and business performance reinforce each other rather than compete.
FOUNDATIONS
Design Craft to Strategic Thinking
Starting as a Junior Designer at rethink GmbH and quickly advancing to UI/UX roles at OneFootball, I built a foundation combining visual design excellence with user-centered thinking. These early years weren't just about mastering tools—they were about understanding how design decisions impact business metrics and user behavior in measurable ways.
CONSULTATIVE LEADERSHIP
From Designer to Design Lead
Across engagements with IXDS, BCG Digital Ventures, and various design consultancies, I developed the ability to quickly assess complex business challenges and translate them into clear design strategies. This period taught me to navigate diverse organizational cultures while maintaining design integrity, serving clients from automotive giants like BMW to financial institutions like Commerzbank.
PLATFORM INNOVATION
Democratizing Complex Technology
At UP42, I tackled the challenge of making highly sophisticated geospatial technology accessible to non-technical users. This work required translating complex data structures into intuitive interfaces—proving that good design can democratize advanced technology. The experience solidified my belief that design's highest purpose is removing barriers between powerful tools and the people who need them.
ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSFORMATION
Scaling Product Excellence at McKinsey
Leading McKinsey's global design service platform transformation, I drove measurable improvements across the organization: 70% increase in user satisfaction, 20% reduction in information mismatch, and 40% greater design tool adoption. This wasn't just a product redesign—it was a holistic transformation of how design operates within a complex global enterprise.
AI DESIGN LEADERSHIP
Pioneering the Future with AI
As Head of Design at SPREAD, I've led a multidisciplinary team creating a platform that connects everyone along the product lifecycle through augmented engineering intelligence. My leadership has reduced time-to-market by 40% while increasing user engagement by 67%. Here, I've pioneered frameworks for effective human-AI collaboration that balance automation with human creativity—establishing new standards for how design and artificial intelligence work together to solve complex industrial challenges.
Life beyond pixels
I'm a design head who loves to get in the water whenever I can. Surfing keeps me sane – there's nothing like catching waves early in the morning before the day gets going.
When I'm not working, I tend to seek out travel spots that offer a bit of adventure. I've always been drawn to extreme sports – that perfect mix of fear and excitement keeps life interesting.
At home, my cat Mr. Twinkles runs the show (yes, that's really his name). I also DJ occasionally at friends' events and small venues when time allows.
Photography has been a longtime hobby – I enjoy capturing moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Recently, I've been experimenting with AI digital artwork, which has been a fascinating way to blend technology with creativity. It's opened up entirely new possibilities that I'm still exploring.
