About Me
I elevate brand and digital experiences by understanding user needs, sparking innovation, and crafting intuitive, data-driven solutions. Through research, prototyping, and storytelling, I create visually compelling designs that prioritize usability and impact.
As a growth mindset learner, I thrive in environments that nurture idea generation and problem-solving through collaboration. I enjoy working with cross-functional teams to achieve a common vision, emphasizing design principles and user needs. I embrace challenges enthusiastically, always pursuing opportunities for autonomous learning and knowledge sharing with my colleagues. I’m comfortable using AI tools and eager to explore how they can enhance our workflow and drive innovation.
Passionate about creating impactful user experiences, I develop design solutions that drive innovation, functionality, and accessibility. My expertise spans product design, user experience, and brand direction, with a focus on enterprise and consumer apps, scalable design systems, dashboards, and large-scale web experiences.
I've had the privilege of working with leading brands such as Adobe, American Express, Apple, American Express, Bank of America, Cooley Law, Delta Airlines, Dolby Laboratories, LG Electronics, PayPal, Service Now, SoundCloud, Sweet Protection, The Economist, Victoria’s Secret, Wells Fargo, and more—delivering impactful design solutions both directly or through various design agencies.
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Based in Lake Tahoe, I’m drawn to the rugged beauty of the Eastern Sierras, finding solace in the mountains where the wilderness serves as a counterbalance to a world of distraction—a place where movement becomes meditation.
Originally from Fairfax, Virginia, in the DC area, I was drawn to California and the West Coast after graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. I spent many years in San Francisco, immersed in its vibrant culture, dynamic electronic music scene, thriving art community, and unforgettable food. Over time, my obsession with snowboarding and open landscapes drew me to Lake Tahoe, where I split my time for years, balancing city energy with mountain stillness. In the process, I uncovered unexpected growth, perspective, and connection.
Whether trail running, mountain biking, backpacking, or snowboarding, I seek out remote landscapes few have touched. More recently, I’ve stepped into the world of ultra-trail running—gradually evolving from half-marathons to 50Ks. The solitude of the woods pulls me into the present moment, allowing me to fully disconnect and recharge.
In the winter, I channel my passion for teaching and human connection as a snowboard instructor, meeting people from all walks of life and learning from their stories. At the same time, I dedicate myself to refining my own riding, always seeking ways to elevate my personal technique.
Art is deeply woven into my world, expressed through illustrations and capturing moments and landscapes through photography. My love of travel, exploring new cultures, and connecting with different languages continuously inspires my creative work.
Product Design • UI/UX • Interaction Design • Human Centered Designer • Leadership + Team Management • Design Direction • Design Strategy
Product Design • UI/UX • Interaction Design • Human Centered Designer • Leadership + Team Management • Design Direction • Design Strategy
Recommendations
Some thoughtful words from incredible colleagues I've had the privilege of working with in the past. See more recommendations on LinkedIn.
Justin Stokman
Staff Software Engineer @ Dolby
“I had the pleasure of working alongside Theresa at Dolby for over three years, where she consistently impressed me with her exceptional skills as a product designer. What sets Theresa apart is not just her creative vision and meticulous attention to detail, but also her collaborative spirit, especially when interfacing with the engineering team.
Theresa possesses a unique ability to blend user-centric design with practical implementation considerations, making her a favorite among engineers. She receives feedback with an open mind and always uses it constructively to enhance the final product. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on our projects, making them not only visually appealing but also technically sound. Anyone looking for a talented and cooperative designer who can bridge the gap between design and engineering would benefit immensely from working with Theresa.”
Nikhil Parijaat
Director of Engineering @ Dolby
“I had the pleasure of working with Theresa on multiple web and mobile projects. I was impressed with how Theresa gathered feedback on requirements for UI/UX from stakeholders and converted them to top-notch designs in short timeframes. She demonstrated expertise in both wireframing and prototyping as well as in creative product UI definition. I worked with her on both mobile and web-responsive application projects. She is well versed in agile development methodologies so she always sought feedback, iterating and pushing the boundaries of design innovation. In multiple projects we worked together, she worked with cross-geo teams effectively.”
Arthur Yung
Senior Product Manager @ Dolby
“I valued Theresa's UX insight on the many projects we worked on together over the past year. Theresa led UX for my projects and brought positive teamwork that helped our team focus on our customers. For example, Theresa initiated remote collaboration using Figma Jam for the team to generate user workflows that brought clarity to what we were building.
Theresa also created well-organized designs that enabled our dev team to quickly iterate. Theresa's passion for UX design shone through with her attention to detail spotting UX inconsistencies and advocating for the best user experience. I highly recommend Theresa as an impactful team member.”
Amy Gehling
Senior Growth Manager @ Dolby
“Theresa is a terrific designer as she brings a deep knowledge of design and research to each of her projects, thoroughly considering the user and the best experience that combines the business goals with the user's goals.
Beyond her design acumen, I have found Theresa to be a great teammate, always willing to collaborate, listen to others' feedback, and keep a sense of calm during busy sprints. She is a great asset to any team!”
Serene Lewis Lyles
Senior Director @ Epsilon
“Theresa is a copywriter's dream partner. She's collaborative, professional, and at the top of her design game. She also has developed a rare skill among designers: she can articulate the vision to junior staff in a way that allows them to create designs that meet the client's needs, reflect their ethos, and stay true to the brand.”
Tony Glorioso
VP, Experience Design @ Epsilon
“Theresa has been the foundation of our design team at SolutionSet and Epsilon. Her strategic vision allows her to see end business goals, her compassion enables a deep understanding of users, and her raw talent delivers breathtaking design products. Theresa's dedication, professionalism, authenticity, and world-class design aesthetic make her well-liked and highly requested across client teams. Ultimately, Theresa is just totally awesome all around, and I'm incredibly fortunate to have worked with her at Epsilon.”