My Approach

A non-exhaustive sampler of the imperfectly executed, aspirational values & principles that shape how I work.

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Land-Based

I seek to cultivate a culturally appropriate relationship with the land that acknowledges the wisdom that is culturally accessible to each of us. As a resident of so-called Seattle, I've established an ongoing relationship of reciprocity and accountability with the Duwamish Tribe, the traditional stewards of the land on which I live and work.

Learning Lineage: Dr. Jeffrey Ansloosₐ, Dr. Michelle Johnson-Jenningsₚ, Heron's Nestₚ, River Access Paddle Programₚ, Real Rent Duwamishₚ, BJ Cummingsₐ, Duwamish River Community Coalitionₚ, Eve Tuckₐ, K Wayne Yangₐ, Duwamish River Community Coalitionₚ, the Appalachian Trailₚ, Elkmont Campgroundₚ

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Embodied Joy

I honor the somatic wisdom we all carry. As a queer designer, I center playfulness and pleasure as essential elements of the design process—not distractions from it. Joy is a source of resilience, a tool for connection, and a radical act of refusal.

Learning Lineage: Riley Pattersonₚ, Prentis Hemphillₐ, Ally Beardsleyₐ, Babbette Thomasₐ, Dean Spadeₐ, Jacob Wysockiₐ, Zac Oyamaₐ, Lou Wilsonₐ, adrienne maree brownₐ

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Rigorous Curiosity

I believe in radical imagination, the power of possibility, and the urgent call to build new futures. Curiosity is not just the consumption of knowledge; it’s a practice of deep engagement, learning, and unlearning. I approach my work with earnestness and wonder, always tending to my evolving garden of practices, paradigms, and possibilities.

Learning Lineage: KA McKercherₚ, Rachael Dietkusₚ, Octavia Butlerₐ, ismatu gwendolynₐ, Ursula K. Le Guinₐ, Dr. William Pattersonₚ, FD Signifierₐ, Colin & Samirₐ, Cole Cuchnaₐ, Brennan Lee Mulliganₐ, Roman Marsₐ, Avery Trufelmanₐ

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Accountability & Repair

As fallible humans, we inevitably cause and experience harm. I aim to design in ways that identify sites of harm, foster repair, and create conditions for collective accountability. I practice trauma-informed and responsive methods and draw from abolitionist, decolonial, and anti-racist traditions to build more just and liberatory design practices.

Learning Lineage: Dean Spadeₐ, Michelle Alexanderₐ, Kimberlé W. Crenshawₐ, Liat Ben-Mosheₐ, Angela Davisₐ, Mimi Kimₐ, Beth Richieₐ, Critical Resistanceₐ, Ruth Wilson Gilmoreₐ, UpENDₐ, Mariame Kabaₐ, Creative Justiceₚ, Mia Mingusₐ, Lisa Mercerₚ

ₐ denotes the individuals and organizations I've admired from afar (e.g., read/watch/listen to their work)

ₚ denotes someone I know (e.g., a partner, collaborator, former instructor, etc.) or organization I've actively engaged with (e.g., as a member, participant, etc.)

My Scope of Practice

    • Healthcare: Deep experience in U.S. healthcare systems, particularly outpatient care, integrated behavioral health, and suicide prevention. I've contributed to product development, service design, and clinical strategy.

    • Education: Extensive work within public higher education, especially land-grant institutions. Skilled in curriculum design and pedagogy for experiential learning, design education, and community-engaged courses.

    • Social Work: Formally trained in community-centered social work practice (non-clinical). Skilled in facilitation, mediation, intergroup dialogue, and land-based healing approaches.

    • Labor Organizing: Active union member (UAW 4121) with roles in elections, contract enforcement, and steward leadership for the Research Scientists and Engineers collective bargaining unit.

    • Product & Program Management: Experienced in building operational systems and cross-functional processes that help programs and teams thrive.

    • Design for higher ed and curriculum development

    • Healthcare product/service/strategy design

    • Labor, workplace equity, and organizing

    • Project and program management

    • Facilitation of participatory design processes

    • Working with children under 13

    • Partnering with Indigenous communities

    • Queer and trans-centered design work

    • Accessibility and disability justice–aligned design

    • Clinical care, therapy, or diagnosis

    • “International development” projects

    • Farming or agricultural systems

    • Branding, graphic design, or visual identity work

    • Sustainability or climate-focused initiatives

Format adapted from KA McKercher’s Why (co)designers need a scope of practice.