I lead with clarity, empathy, and a deep belief in the power of facilitation—not just to shape great products, but to create the conditions for teams to thrive.

My background spans service design, product strategy, and organizational development, with a track record of building inclusive processes, scaling design practices, and connecting day-to-day work to a larger vision.

What guides my leadership style

• Clarity over certainty – I help teams move forward even when the path isn’t fully defined, zooming in and out to keep vision aligned with reality.

• People over process – Tools are important, but trust is foundational. I create safe, inclusive spaces where creative tension leads to better thinking—not burnout.

• Collaboration over consensus – I use facilitation to unlock insight, foster alignment, and build shared ownership—investing in the relationships and rituals that make design a team sport.

I believe the best leaders listen deeply, stay curious, and create space for others to grow.

My path into design wasn’t linear—and that’s my strength

I didn’t start in design. I started in ecotourism and international business, guiding travelers through the Costa Rican rainforest and studying global trade. My first real “aha” moment came during a human-centered design sprint in Tokyo, where I discovered the power of simple prototypes to shift systems and spark new ideas.

That moment led me to:

• Work in supply chain innovation, where I created a transitional role that introduced design methods into regional operations

• Earn a Fulbright scholarship to study Strategic Design at Parsons

• Serve as a service designer and facilitator in purpose-driven orgs

• And eventually grow into design leadership, building and scaling teams that bridge design excellence with organizational change 

Beyond the work

I was born and raised in a coffee-growing town in Costa Rica—so yes, I take my coffee (and my weather) seriously. I’ve lived and worked across the Americas, and bring a deeply global lens to my work.

Outside of work, you’ll find me exploring DC on bike, coaching emerging designers, and helping lead the Service Design DC chapter of the Service Design Network, where I organize events and foster conversations around inclusive, systems-driven design.

Whether you’re designing a product, building a team, or navigating ambiguity—I’d love to collaborate.