Design + Product

Throughout my career as a designer, product manager and leader, I’ve come to recognize a handful of core values that consistently guide how I approach my work, lead teams, and contribute to broader organizational success. These aren’t just principles I aspire to—they’re standards I hold myself and my teams to daily. While the contexts may change, these values remain the foundation: Innovation, Investing in Relationships, Great, Not Perfect, and Work Hard.

Innovation as Contextual Creativity

When people hear the word _innovation_, they often imagine groundbreaking inventions or Silicon Valley moonshots. But to me, innovation isn’t always about creating something the world has never seen. Often, it's about recognizing proven patterns, understanding their strengths, and applying them in new, thoughtful contexts. True innovation is just as much about insight as it is invention. Whether it's integrating a workflow that’s worked well elsewhere into a new team or creatively reapplying a classic framework to a modern problem, innovation often lives in the thoughtful remix—not just the brand-new.

Relationships Are the Real Infrastructure

No amount of process or tooling can replace genuine human connection. I believe strongly in investing in relationships —with direct reports, peers, and those I report to. Especially in today’s remote-first world, those natural moments of connection that happen in shared spaces need to be intentionally cultivated. Building rapport, understanding motivations, and finding common ground with others bridges the communication gaps that inevitably arise. My goal isn’t just better collaboration—it's to elevate others, create mutual trust, and ensure everyone is in the best possible position to succeed.

Striving for Great, Not Perfect

I hold high standards for the work my team and I deliver. I truly believe that producing great work—measurable, meaningful, and consistent—leads to real business impact. But I also understand the trap of perfectionism. Pursuing “perfect” often delays progress and exhausts energy that could be used more effectively elsewhere. Candidly this is a life long struggle for me. That’s why I advocate for great, not perfect. It’s a fine balance, but one that I’ve learned to navigate: delivering exceptional quality without getting lost in endless refinement. I'm comfortable pushing myself and my teams to be great—and knowing when it's time to ship.

The Value of Showing Up and Giving Your All

Finally, I deeply value working hard. Whether the task at hand is inspiring or tedious, rewarding or thankless—I believe in giving it your best. This doesn’t mean burning out or glorifying hustle culture. It means honoring your work with effort, discipline, and a sense of purpose. Sometimes the hardest challenges are the ones with the least immediate payoff, but I’ve seen time and time again how consistent effort, even in the small things, builds credibility, momentum, and results.

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These values aren’t abstract to me—they shape how I lead, collaborate, and contribute. They’re the foundation I return to when I’m navigating ambiguity, building teams, or driving projects forward. And most importantly, they help me bring out the best in the people around me.