Elevating user experience through thoughtful design.
With over a decade of experience in product and UX design, I bring a strategic, research-driven approach to solving complex problems across fintech, healthcare, insurance, and AI. My background spans everything from hands-on user research and interaction design to design leadership and system development. I’ve led cross-functional teams, implemented new design systems, and delivered enterprise-scale solutions that improved usability, boosted adoption, and supported measurable business growth. My work is grounded in user empathy, and I consistently advocate for human-centered design at every stage of the product lifecycle.
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I’m equally comfortable in discovery and delivery - leading end-to-end research, synthesizing findings, prototyping solutions, and aligning teams across product and engineering. I’ve recently worked on AI-powered experiences using large language models (LLMs), pushing boundaries in emerging tech while maintaining a focus on real-world user needs. Tools like Figma, FigJam, Miro, and HTML/CSS are second nature to me, and I thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments that value clarity, iteration, and thoughtful execution. Whether managing teams or contributing as an IC, I bring consistency, vision, and a deep commitment to design excellence.
LEADERSHIP
Coaching, KPIs, leadership, resource planning, stakeholder management, strategic influence, strategic planning, strategic vision, team culture, team management, team motivation
RESEARCH
Accessibility, comparative analysis, competitive analysis, data analysis, information architecture, quantitative data, research analysis, user flows/journey mapping, user research, usability testing
DESIGN
Artificial Intelligence (AI), color theory, creative ideation, design strategy, design systems, information architecture, interaction design, prototyping, UX design, UX writing, visual design, wireframing
PROFESSIONAL
Analytical skills, critical thinking, documentation, presentations, problem solving, project delivery, project management, storytelling, written communication, teams in different time zones
Case Studies
AI Reverse
Engineering Tool
An advanced processing pipeline, built around Azure OpenAI, to reverse engineer high-quality, comprehensive business requirements from legacy codebases.
Financial Platform
Data Import
A large SaaS based platform with AI features used by accountants and auditors to help their customers manage their practices with efficiency and intelligence.
Home Healthcare
Mobile App
A mobile app version of a desktop app used by home care workers in the field and their coordinators to communicate with the clinic and receive/update client care profiles.
"Good design is like a refrigerator: when it works, no one notices, but when it doesn’t, it sure is hard to think about anything else." — Anonymous
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Peter Buk
Senior UX Designer
"Marlene was instrumental in reshaping Product Design into a flexible, agile and high-performing team, greatly increasing operating efficiency, maximizing cross-platform design expertise, and greatly improving consistency in the look and feel of Caseware’s products. She developed a comprehensive team work management system that tracked the progress of all Product Design initiatives and their associated work streams, resulting in improved project control and a significant decrease in technical and design debt."
Charath Ranganathan
Chief Technology Officer
"As our UX researcher and designer, Marlene was a significant contributor to Crowdbotics' Product group. She is proficient in all aspects of user experience design and testing and very comfortable interacting with customers and prospects. Not only is she good at synthesizing user research, she's also amazing at leveraging quick UI designs as a means of rapid ideation and iteration on product features. She's someone who is ready to work on a new project or feature and an amazing team player, as many of our developers and customers will testify."
Amalia Litsa
Director of Product
“Marlene's professional maturity and knowledge made her a great partner to myself and the team. She is an extremely self-motivated designer with a high work capacity and unwavering focus and energy.
She took initiative when it came to building out our UX Ops. She created our Notion page and contributed interview templates. She also established ongoing SUS score measurement and reported this KPI to executive leadership on behalf of the Product Team.
Overall, Marlene is a very strong contributor and UX generalist. She knows how to explore the problem space, collaborate with Product and Engineering, test, and iterate.”
Shweta Nanajkar
Senior UX Designer
“Marlene is incredibly approachable and friendly, making it easy for team members to seek guidance and share ideas. Marlene excels at comprehending complex problems, empowers designers by providing appropriate UX design guidelines so designers could lead to effective and innovative solutions. Her commitment to fostering a positive, equal, and just team culture is truly commendable and has made our work environment one where everyone feels valued and motivated.”
Chris Moorehead
Head of Design
"Marlene is a highly effective design leader who motivates and consistently obtains the very best from every designer on her team. She is unsurpassed in her ability to identify, hire, and develop emerging design talent. In my role as Caseware’s Head of User Experience, Marlene reported directly to me, and I relied heavily on her design expertise and superlative team-building skills. Without her assistance and support, I would never have been able to make the systemic changes required to transform Caseware into a truly user-focused software company."
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Louise Bonnamy
User Research Manager
"I highly recommend Marlene as a designer and people leader. She is incredibly skilled at developing teams to reach their full potential, fostering collaboration, and creating a healthy culture of feedback within the workplace. Marlene naturally motivates and inspires others, consistently bringing out the best in her team members."