I’m Vanessa, an interaction designer living in San Francisco. I'm passionate about designing inclusive products and experiences that allow more people to participate.

Previously I built company cultures at Apple and Square, recruiting the original iOS team and helping Square scale from 70 to 2000 employees.

Throughout my career, I've gravitated towards systemic challenges that have no easy solution, like inclusion. I went back to school for human-centered design to have more tools to solve complex issues.

Want to work together? Say hello (pronouns: she / her).

Follow my healing journey.

Creative Focus

Design research
Product strategy & design
Instructional design & facilitation

Clients

United Nations Centre for Humanitarian Data, Founder Gym, Kapor Center for Social Impact, Kapor Capital
 

Speaking

Previous speaking engagements includes TEDx, PBS TV, 3% Conference, US Embassy, Designers and Geeks, among others. 

Leadership

Co-Lead of Diversity Advocates

Commissioner for the San Francisco Human Rights Commission

Mentor for Year Up

Board Member for Mission Bit (non-profit)

Board Member for the SFUSD ICT (technology) Advisory Board

Education

California College of the Arts, Master in Interaction Design

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Bachelor in Business Administration and Graphic Communication