Delivering strategic results through design-led thinking

I’ve built and led teams that drove an 87% growth in new customers and a 43% increase in customer satisfaction for Amazon, delivered a 78% decrease in time to launch global campaigns for Publicis, implemented solutions to address the $6bn per year in lost revenue for Lowe’s.

Delivering strategic results through design-led thinking

I’ve built design teams that drove an 87% growth in new customers and a 43% increase in customer satisfaction for Amazon, delivered a 78% decrease in time to launch global campaigns for Publicis, implemented solutions to map 1,720+ stores and inventory processes to address a revenue loss of $6bn per year for Lowe’s. I have experience launching products at scale that impact customers worldwide.

Experienced Design Leader & Strategist

My career started in a small town working for my grandfather’s monument business where my first job was laying tombstones in cemeteries. By the time I was 16 I had graduated to typesetting and discovered a passion that exists to this day. Over the last 35 years, my creative leadership experience has encompassed advertising, marketing, project management, development, user-centered practice and research, and design-led thinking. my creative leadership experience includes designing and leading teams that crafted impactful multi-platform solutions, delivering measurable results for well-known brands, and implementing complex solutions at scale.

I am currently guiding American Tire Distributors (ATD) international UX, Creative, and Digital Operations teams, leading digital transformation across our suite of products and tools. Our focus is to deliver experiences and tools to help our dealers and partners understand their business, improve conversion  and introduce shipping and supply chain efficiencies, while mitigating risks within their organizations.

Prior to ATD, I’ve built and led cross-functional and international design teams, and launched products at scale that impacted millions of customers worldwide. I have worked with notable brands including Lowe’s, Amazon, Department of Defense, ADP, Publicis Groupe, Coca-Cola, and many more. For Lowe’s, I led a team that devised and implemented solutions to map 1,720+ stores and introduced inventory processes and tools designed to address a revenue loss of $6bn per year due to lost inventory. For Amazon, I led the redesign of the world’s largest online subscription delivery service that resulted in a 52% increase in new subscriptions and an 87% increase of new customers. I also helped guide major efforts for other notable programs including Amazon Mom, Amazon Baby, and Coupons. I have designed core experiences for large-scale ecommerce and mobile platforms, designed multi-platform design systems, and helped drive the Human Interface Guidelines for Amazon.

From defining and inspiring around a core mission, to the tactical work of creating and launching impactful solutions using design thinking practices, I have helped teams realize their full creative potential. 

I also like strawberry daiquiris and for people to give me money. I figure most people don’t read these so what the hell, it’s worth a try.

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Experienced Design Leader & Strategist

Over the last 25+ years, my creative leadership experience includes designing and leading teams that crafted impactful  solutions at scale.

I’ve built and led cross-functional and international design teams, launched products that impacted millions of customers, and led the redesign of the largest online subscription service.

I have helped teams realize their full creative potential.

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Brands I've Worked With

I’ve lead successful design/strategy efforts for companies such as

My Background

Architecting at Scale

I prioritize building a strong mission and purpose, then executing it through efficient team structures and strategies. By fostering and empowering a positive atmosphere, my teams excel in delivering superior experiences for customers, resulting in long-term success for both the business and its customers. This approach has led to significant customer and business impact by maximizing my teams’ creative potential during the product development process.

Empowering Teams

I bring a proven process and sense of collaboration to my work. Whether it’s in an agency or for an in-house team, I have experience leading, coaching, and mentoring multi-disciplinary teams of designers, researchers, content strategists, and developers. I addition, I have been involved with developing strategic plans to expand our teams, including hiring and review practices, mentoring programs, coaching best practices, and formalizing internal best practices.

A Bit More…

Throughout my career, from my early days laying tombstones to earning my Masters in Human Centered Design & Engineering from the University of Washington, I have tackled a diverse range of projects and industries, creating solutions that address real human problems. My experiences shape my approach and inform my work. I bring a positive attitude, a desire for growth, and a collaborative spirit. I look forward to the new and interesting challenges that lie ahead.

Architecting at Scale

I prioritize building a strong mission and purpose, then executing it through efficient team structures and strategies. By fostering and empowering a positive atmosphere, my teams excel in delivering superior experiences for customers, resulting in long-term success for both the business and its customers. This approach has led to significant customer and business impact by maximizing my teams’ creative potential during the product development process.

Empowering Teams

I bring a proven process and sense of collaboration to my work. Whether it’s in an agency or for an in-house team, I have experience leading, coaching, and mentoring multi-disciplinary teams of designers, researchers, content strategists, and developers. I addition, I have been involved with developing strategic plans to expand our teams, including hiring and review practices, mentoring programs, coaching best practices, and formalizing internal best practices. 

A Bit More…

Throughout my career, from my early days laying tombstones to earning my Masters in Human Centered Design & Engineering from the University of Washington, I have tackled a diverse range of projects and industries, creating solutions that address real human problems. My experiences shape my approach and inform my work. I bring a positive attitude, a desire for growth, and a collaborative spirit. I look forward to the new and interesting challenges that lie ahead.

What My Partners Have to Say...

"I had the privilege of working with Mike and his team on several key merchandising portfolio initiatives at Lowe's Home Improvement. Mike thinks bigger than the ask and challenges those around him to do the same. He holds himself and others to the highest standards, raising the bar with each iteration of design and development.

He is collaborative and engaging with business, product and technology teams; creating relationships that foster healthy, productive discussions and outcomes. He is genuinely passionate about bringing the right solutions to the customer while solving business challenges, quickly earning the trust and respect of those around him.

Mike is an asset to any team or initiative he works on. He has my highest recommendation."
Brandi Gooden
Director, eCommerce Merchandising & Guest Experience at Lowes Foods
“I worked with Michael organizing design community events at Amazon and was struck by his hard-working, detail-oriented, not to mention extremely organized, way of doing things. Mike's always willing to roll up his sleeves when no one else is to get the job done... all while somehow maintaining one of the most positive attitudes I've ever come across. A joy to work with, Mike would be a great addition to any team.”
Deana Jirak
UX & Visual Design Manager, Gift Cards & Incentives at Amazon
“Michael is extremely creative and has an eye for solving problems. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on many projects where his drive, insight, and experience helped the project to succeed. Micheal is a team player and is good leader. He understands user experience better than anyone I've yet met. Micheal is a great person and his friendliness makes the office a better place.”
David Bednarski
Sr. Web Developer at Market Leader Inc.
“From 2014-2015, I worked with Mike on various design projects for Subscribe & Save: on-site widgets, management interfaces, and other points of touch with the Amazon customer. Mike is constantly thinking beyond the user experience to the product itself and how it could be better. Mike is laser-focused on the customer and wanting to make the experience as intuitive and effortless as possible. When reviewing potential user flows Mike is always asking “does this make sense to you”, “where would you think to do ____”, “was that easy?”. Mike is intrinsically motivated to do the best thing he can for the variety of users who interact with our site. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him.”
Brandon M. Baker (MBA)
Sr Manager, Key Accounts - OEM Marketing at CDK Global
Mike was always enthusiastic, engaged, and leading the way. When I was moved to his project, he took time to onboard me and spent time ensuring I understood what was going on, how I fit in, and what resources existed. While it is clear from just meeting him how knowledgeable he is about UX, he has the humility to actively seek input and new ideas from others. He constantly looks for or creates opportunities for collaboration. But what is really striking about Mike is his ability to lead. If he sees a need in a project he will actively seek to fill it and help organize others to help create solutions. He is great at engaging people, whether it is one-on-one or during a presentation or asking customers questions about their experience. I would definitely work Mike again if given the opportunity. Wherever he goes, he can add value to any team.
Anna-Maria d’Ambrosio
User Experience Researcher at Lowe's Companies, Inc.
I've worked with Mike for over a year at Amazon, and have been impressed with his ability to voice a clear, firm opinion and his insistence in delivering work at the highest standards. He's also a great buddy to bounce ideas off, and I value his ability to thoughtfully identify unexpected scenarios and then brainstorm solutions. That he comes up with great designs is a bonus!
Samvita Padukone
Product Manager at Facebook
“I've had the pleasure of working with Mike over the last several months at Amazon. He has been a trusted advisor and someone whose professional opinion I came to rely on. Mike was always willing to go above and beyond to ensure work was completed to the highest standards and showed amazing patience, composure and professionalism in dealing with a range of challenges. I look forward to working with Mike again in the future and would highly recommend him to any team looking for a high-energy, results oriented UX leader who always gets the job done with a smile on his face.”
Jesse Kulp
Principal at Google.com
“If you need the job done accurately and efficiently, Mike is your man. In addition to his flawless execution, Mike's creative design always livens and brightens the User Interface. His designs bring simplicity and an element of intuitiveness to all of our products and his approach is consistent; always a delicate balance of client requested UI design and his own creative flair. Mike's cheery disposition and ability to work quickly and efficiently in a fast-paced environment makes him a pleasure to work with!”
Amanda Walton
Vice President, Executive Producer at MERGE

I am currently the Director if UX and Creative Design at American Tire Distributors

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