About
Design Systems Lead & Super IC
I'm the person companies call when they need a leader who still designs and still codes. As a Design Systems Lead, I lead teams of designers and engineers, own strategy, and evangelize adoption. As a Super IC (Designer + Engineer + Architect + Product Manager), I'm in the weeds with my team, designing components, building them in code, architecting foundations, defining tokens, shaping brand systems, writing documentation, and shipping to production. I've done this at Veracode, Raytheon and Fidelity, from 0-to-1 builds to improving and scaling both mature and troubled systems that need my expertise. I lead by doing, and I love working with teams who care about craft.
Over 10 years, I've always been both a designer and engineer, evolving into a leader who still does both. My unique hybrid background in Product Strategy, Product Design (UX/UI), and Front-end Code allows me to operate effectively across these domains, truly acting as the glue between disciplines. I believe the best design systems are built by people who understand both sides of the handoff.
As a Design Systems Lead, I'm not just directing, I contribute. I'm often both the strategic Lead setting the vision and the core hands-on Product Designer/UX Engineer, meticulously crafting components and ensuring their flawless implementation. I thrive on adaptability, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and diving deep to build technically sound, user-centered systems. This holistic, systems-thinking approach, rooted in deep craftsmanship, ensures the solutions I build are not just aesthetically refined but technically robust and built for scale.
My work focuses on the full design system lifecycle, encompassing strategy, architecture, design, implementation, governance, and adoption.
Systems that support product and brand goals, not just component libraries.
Defining vision, roadmaps, and governance models that align design systems with business objectives and product direction.
Tokens, theming, multi-brand/multi-platform foundations built for scale.
Architecting token systems, component APIs, and contribution models that scale across products, platforms, and teams.
Master in Figma and Front-end Code (HTML & CSS), shipping components native to both.
Ensuring pixel-perfect parity between Figma components and their coded counterparts, eliminating handoff ambiguity.
WCAG compliance baked in from day one, not patched in later.
Building accessible components from the ground up — semantic HTML, ARIA patterns, keyboard navigation, and color contrast built into every decision.
Working across design, product, and engineering with empathy and clarity.
Facilitating alignment between teams, writing documentation engineers love, and running workshops that drive adoption.
Coaching, mentoring, and building high-performing cross-functional teams.
Defining metrics that prove design system ROI — velocity improvements, adoption rates, and quality benchmarks tied to business outcomes.
I approach design systems not as static libraries, but as living, interconnected ecosystems. True success lies in understanding how every element, from the strategic vision down to the coded implementation of a component variant, impacts the whole. Operating with meticulous attention to detail and a systems-thinking mindset allows me to anticipate dependencies and ensure harmony across the entire product development lifecycle.
Design specifications must translate flawlessly into code.
Every spacing value, border radius, and color token maps directly from Figma to production. No approximations, no creative interpretation at handoff.
Inclusive experiences are non-negotiable, ensuring broader market reach.
Accessibility isn't a checklist item — it's baked into every component decision from the start, not retrofitted at QA.
Systems need clear rules to maintain quality and scale effectively.
Governance isn't bureaucracy — it's the foundation that lets teams move fast without breaking things. Clear contribution models and versioning keep systems healthy.
Effective systems are built with, not for, users.
The best design systems are co-created with the engineers and designers who use them. Feedback loops and direct partnership are non-negotiable.
Beyond functionality, building robust and maintainable components.
Quality isn't a sprint — it's a standard. Every component is built as if it will outlive the current product roadmap, because most of them do.
Ultimately, a successful system elevates the end-user experience and drives tangible business value through quality, consistency, and efficiency.
Enterprise Scale
Led the strategic design and architecture of 3 enterprise-scale design systems end-to-end.
From Veracode to Fidelity, each engagement involved building or rebuilding design systems that served hundreds of designers and thousands of engineers at scale.
Hands-On Craft
Personally architected, designed, and implemented hundreds of accessible components.
Not just reviewed or approved — personally built. From atomic tokens to complex organism-level patterns, every component designed in Figma and coded in production.
0-to-1 Build
Spearheaded the creation and enterprise-wide adoption from scratch.
Built Fidelity's internal design system from zero — establishing foundations, component libraries, governance, documentation, and a culture of adoption across the enterprise.
Based in Arlington, MA, when I step away from the world of design systems, I love to recharge and explore other passions.
Exploring trails in New England and beyond. Unplugging recharges my creativity.
Whether it's a day hike in the White Mountains or a weekend camping trip, time outdoors keeps me sharp and perspective-aligned.
Staying active keeps me sharp. Daily training is non-negotiable.
The same discipline I bring to design systems — consistency, iteration, and continuous improvement — applies directly to my fitness routine.
Finding the best local breweries, restaurants, and hidden gems.
New England has a thriving craft brewery scene and incredible local food. I make it a point to explore it, one recommendation at a time.
Time with family and our dogs is non-negotiable. They keep me grounded.
The people (and pups) around me are my biggest source of energy. Balance isn't just a design principle — it's how I live.
I'm seeking Design Systems Lead or Principal/Staff-level roles where I can bring my hybrid expertise to organizations that need someone who can actually deliver. I lead teams, own roadmaps, and evangelize adoption. I also design components, build them in production, architect token systems, and write documentation. I've delivered 3 enterprise-scale systems that accelerated velocity by 24-30% while improving quality and accessibility.
Right now, I'm diving deep into AI-powered design systems work. I'm exploring how AI can accelerate token generation, component documentation, and productivity workflows. The future of design systems is being written right now. I want to bring that future to your team.
Looking for an AI-powered Design Systems expert who bridges design and code? Seeking a Lead and/or Super IC (Designer • Engineer • Architect • Product Manager) for your team? Reach out about opportunities or just to connect! You've got options: email me, hit me up on LinkedIn, or use the contact form below. Your move!
