A seasoned leader practicing human-centered design for over 12 years, I am an expert design researcher, renowned facilitator, and proud builder of high performing teams and cultures. I'm equally skilled at building rapport with frontline users as representing their voices and needs to the stakeholders and executives with decision power.

I excel in interpreting and translating research insights into logical frameworks that compel decision-makers and lead to informed action, sitting equal in weight to viability and feasibility.

If Vulnerability Researcher didn’t mean something entirely different, that would be the title for me. I love working in emotionally-laden spaces, where human behaviors and attitudes are heavily influenced by raw emotion. Sometimes these spaces are obvious (financial services, health care), but, more often, they're hidden (employee experience strategy).

​SELECT CLIENTS I'VE WORKED WITH

MY CORE TRAITS ARE ESSENTIAL TO DESIGN LEADERSHIP

PLAYER-COACH

To me, a huge part of leadership is humbly sharing your hard-fought wisdom; but to be an effective teacher, you must always be learning. I love to lead, mentor, and coach, but  I will not be satisfied unless I'm also in the game.​

​​DESIGN DILETTANTE

​Before I learned the term ’T-shaped person,’ I considered myself a design dilettante (which SAT prep gave a negative connotation). While research is my depth, I love design, content, strategy, building, and all parts of the process.

​​CURIOUS PROBLEM SOLVER

​I see everything as a puzzle to solve, with human behavior being the most complex and satisfying of all. Curiosity and a need to solve puzzles drives me to understand and appreciate the why behind everything and everyone.

INTRAPRENEUR

​I have an insatiable desire for continuous improvement. In the workplace, I am constantly tinkering with and hacking processes, behaviors, and environments to make things more efficient, effective, and fulfilling.

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As bold as it is to claim, I believe Karah was the most invaluable person our team could have had and the most influential person I’ve had the honor of working with. Her approach to leadership and the extent of its impact is something that can only be understood firsthand.

Jen Rovner, Associate Design Director and long-time colleague