about.
I’m drawn to the intersection of creativity, technology, and social impact. With a background in engineering and a deep care for the human experience, I approach design through the lens of systems thinking, collaboration, and craft. Whether refining a design system or improving user flows, I aim to create intuitive, scalable solutions that serve people and purpose.
I’m a full-stack engineer turned UX-focused problem solver, passionate about building thoughtful tools that serve real people. My career has spanned startups in health tech, ed tech, and food tech—often at the intersection of design, engineering, and operations. I’ve led cross-functional projects, streamlined internal tools, and contributed to both product strategy and user experience.
After taking a sabbatical to explore wellness, teach yoga, and deepen my design skills, I’ve returned with a renewed focus: blending design thinking, technical execution, and systems strategy to support mission-driven teams. I’m especially interested in hybrid roles like UX Engineer, Design Technologist, DesignOps, or nonprofit operations—spaces where cross-disciplinary thinking is a strength.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me practicing yoga, dancing flamenco, or enjoying a walk through Golden Gate Park.
testimonial.
In my time as Vanessa's manager, she was meticulous and diligent in her work, enthusiastic, always spoke with candor, had a keen product sense, advocated for the user, and lifted the team vibes. A+++++ would hire again!
David (Furf) Furfero
Technical Architect, Leader and Advisor. Former Reddit, Huge, MLB, Live Nation
services.
