My Approach

A non-exhaustive selection of the values shaping how I work. Always imperfectly executed.

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Land-Based

I seek to cultivate a 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 cultivated 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

As a queer designer, I center playfulness and pleasure as core to my process. Joy is a source of resilience, a tool for connection, and a radical act of refusal. I embrace a somatic approach to joy, where laughter and warmth are deeply felt.

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 and the urgent call to build new futures. Curiosity is not just the consumption of knowledge; it’s a practice of deep engagement. Being curious means I will stumble. Redirection and ongoing cycles of (un)learning are vital parts of how I embody curiosity. 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 remain actively engaged in the lifelong work of unlearning harm and practicing accountability, with deep gratitude to the communities challenging and supporting me in this collective process. My design practice seeks to identify sites of harm, foster repair, and create conditions for collective accountability. I practice trauma-responsive methods and draw from abolitionist, decolonial, and anti-racist traditions to build more just and liberatory worlds.

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. Read about my product development experience here and my clinical service design here.

    • Education: Extensive program management and curriculum design experience within public higher education, especially land-grant institutions. Read more about my teaching and facilitation work here.

    • Social Work: Formally trained in community-centered social work practice (non-clinical). Skilled in facilitation, mediation, inter-group 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.