About

My career energy is spent analyzing information and developing narrative, images, and models to explain concepts to a user group. Training and technical/product writing are where I got my start, but most of my work over the past 15 years has been with UX, site prototypes, and user interface design, along with a blend of content strategy and information architecture. I am often doing all of this at the same time on a project, always with the intent to be an interpreter of behavior and ideas shared between designer, developer, and user.

My PAST PROJECTS provides several stories describing my roles start to finish on projects since my first job developing hydroelectric system training materials in 1996-1997 back in Portland, Oregon. Specific portfolios
for UX and INTERACTIONS are provided on their own pages along with content strategy and writing samples.

Work Experience

USER EXPEREIENCE ARCHITECT AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
FREELANCE / CLIENTS INCLUDED AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL
AUGUST 2014 - PRESENT

• Created interactive trainings for Park Dental and The Dental Specialists

• Worked with brand to maintain and implement standards across all materials

• Designed/developed Solutions Selection Guide prototype for Ameriprise Financial

• Designed and developed numerous financial services interactive trainings 

• Implemented online surveys to assess needs of 10,000+ advisor group

• Heavily involved in requirements gathering and user studies with the product marketing team at Ameriprise Financial

ASSOCIATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
OPTUM
JANUARY 2012 - JULY 2014

• Built and managed a 15-person team of technical writers and instructional designers resulting in a one-stop shop for development of user-facing content

• Managed multiple projects (15-20) including print and online content, online help, eLearning, and curriculum design

• Coordinated the integration of writing, training, and user experience (UX) to create a shared service partnership between content-developing teams

• Designed content management architecture using Adobe Experience Manager (AEM)

USER EXPERIENCE CONSULTANT - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
FREELANCE / CLIENTS INCLUDED BEST BUY, MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, UNITEDHEALTHCARE, HENNEPIN COUNTY, ALLEN INTERACTIONS, AND SPS COMMERCE
OCTOBER 2005 – DECEMBER 2011

• Created interactive trainings and training materials for Best Buy, SPS Commerce, Allen Interactions, and UnitedHealthcare 

• Designed and developed Veterans Eligibility Transfer System (VETS) prototype for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

• Conducted dozens of focus groups and UX requirements gathering sessions

• Provided strategy and recommendations for internal and public-facing site content

• Presented trainings, UX design documents, and prototypes senior leadership 

• Produced prototypes, UI recommendations, and live websites for multiple clients including Millerbernd Manufacturing, Advanced Process Technologies, Paint the Elephant, UpNet, and Strategic Growth Initiative

• Provided site maintenance and administration

TECHNICAL WRITER AND INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGNER - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
FEBRUARY 2000 - JULY 2005

• Designed and developed training materials for internal and external software applications (50-1000 participants) 

• Conducted design workshops and user requirements sessions 

• Developed and presented interaction prototypes 

• Hosted online trainings and presented application prototypes to internal, customer, and media audiences 

• Maintained and administered project portals, websites, and numerous team SharePoint sites

• Designed logos and graphics, developed and managed website standards 

• Worked daily with team contacts in design and management of their online space 

• Designed, wrote, and maintained user guides, reference manuals, online help, and online courses 

MARKET RESEARCH ANALYST - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
THE MEYERS GROUP
FEBRUARY 1999 - OCTOBER 1999

• Collected sales and construction data at residential real estate development sites in 11-county metropolitan area

• Analyzed housing starts, construction trends and costs, and zoning regulations

ACCOUNT COORDINATOR - MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
STAR TRIBUNE
APRIL 1998 - DECEMBER 1998

• Coordinated and assisted with advertising design, graphics, and layout 

• Supported planning and implementation of marketing projects including direct mail and special events

TECHNICAL WRITER - PORTLAND, OREGON
UNISYS
JUNE 1996 - DECEMBER 1997

• Researched and wrote technical user manuals, style guides, and training materials to support hydroelectric systems and software 

• Developed online help systems and intranet Web-based materials