Amanda Santello - Product and Creative Designer,

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Work Background

DesignitExperience Design Director + Practice Lead

Sep. 2023Currently Experience Design Director and Design Practice Lead at Designit, a global design consultancy, where I lead a team of 25+ multidisciplinary designers, product strategists, and researchers, driving innovation and delivering impactful solutions across a diverse range of clients. My role is a hybrid of strategic leadership and hands-on design, where I actively contribute to embedded product teams while also managing the broader design team’s growth, performance, and development. • Lead multiple complex product and design challenges for clients, recently including LAX Airport, Humana Centerwell, Best Buy, and Prudential PGIM • Lead design workshops and strategy sessions with internal team members to redefine design and product operations and influence better internal collaboration and organization • Collaborate with product owners, engineering teams, and stakeholders to define scope and technical feasibility, ensuring on-time delivery of solutions aligned with user and business needs. • Facilitate design workshops and strategy sessions, driving improved cross-functional collaboration and refining design and product operations for enhanced execution. • Mentor designers across disciplines, setting clear expectations for performance, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

ForgeHead of Product Design + Creative

Mar. 2022 - Aug. 2023Greater BostonAs Head of Product Design and Creative at Forge, a Series-B startup addressing the skilled trades workforce gap through education, technology, and service, oversaw the end-to-end design strategy, led a multidisciplinary design team, and drove execution across critical initiatives. This included a full website redesign, the establishment of a scalable design system and inclusive illustration library, and the redesign of four app experiences for field services—all while aligning design efforts with Forge’s broader business and operational goals. • Led a team of five designers, overseeing the redesign of the website, the creation of an inclusive design system, and the redesign of four core app experiences. • Achieved a 62% increase in customer engagement through a complete website redesign and the optimization of the project request flow. • Improved operational efficiency by 50% through the creation of redesigned scheduling tools and workflows for project managers and customer support specialists. • Drove a 74% improvement in on-time site arrivals for field professionals through the successful launch of the Pro App (Release 2). • Defined and expanded Forge’s brand identity and visual systems, ensuring cohesive integration across redesigned website, two internal platforms, and field apps. • Introduced rapid experimental sprints that accelerated collaboration between design and development, enabling faster iterations and validations. • Led the design and delivery of several new UI/UX features and enhancements across three core products, aligning design direction with Forge’s mission.

ChewyAssociate Director, Product Design – Pet Health/Pharmacy

Apr. 2021 - Mar. 2022Boston, Massachusetts, United StatesAssociate Director of Pet Health Product Design at Chewy, responsible for managing a team of multidisciplinary designers, content strategists, and UX researchers while leading design and product strategy for Chewy’s Pet Health products and services. Focused on balancing customer needs, business goals, and pet partner (veterinarian) priorities, while driving key initiatives to redefine end-to-end design processes within the Product Design department. • Directed a team of six designers, ensuring high-quality design solutions across multiple product initiatives in the Pet Health ecosystem. • Led the successful launch of Connect with a Vet, a telehealth platform that revolutionized digital pet care services, improving accessibility and customer experience. • Delivered 10 new UI/UX features across four core products, resulting in a 13.4% year-over-year increase in Pet Health product sales. • Guided the design process for three new product strategy initiatives, from concept to final execution, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs. • Led strategic brainstorms with senior leadership to define the future direction of Chewy’s Pet Health roadmap, aligning design and business objectives. • Established scalable design processes and best practices to support team growth and continuous innovation within the Pet Health division.

AccentureDirector of Experience Design, Digital Products Boston Studio

Dec. 2018 - Apr. 2021Greater Boston AreaExperience Design Director of Boston’s Digital Products studio, managed a department of ~30 UI/UX designers; promoted in March 2018 from Lead Experience Designer; led and managed teams of 3-15 members for approximately 15+ high-profile clients, including Pfizer, Biogen, Teva, BMW, United Airlines and Northeastern University. • Directed and mentored a team of 35+ designers, driving career growth, improving design quality, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. • Contributed to and managed an average ~$36M in total closed opportunities per year through strategic product partnerships, team leadership, and design expertise. • Directly oversaw an average $5.2M in product design programs per year, ensuring successful delivery through program leadership, client management, and hands-on guidance of design execution. • Led the design and strategy for an MVP and two subsequent releases of a medical IoT app for connected inhalers, enhancing user experience for patients and healthcare providers. • Defined the product and UX roadmap for United Airlines, consolidating 30+ apps into a unified tool for flight attendants, improving operational efficiency and user experience. • Delivered an enterprise solution for BMW dealers to streamline inventory management, replacing Excel-based processes with a robust, user-friendly digital tool. • Championed agile design methodologies, facilitating workshops and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive iterative product development. • Partnered with engineering teams to ensure design feasibility and high-quality product delivery across web and mobile platforms. • Developed and led internal training programs, fostering best practices in product design management, scalable design systems, and workshop facilitation.

AccentureLead Experience Designer + Manager

Mar. 2017 - Mar. 2019Cambridge, MAIntrepid Pursuits (acquired by Accenture) was an end-to-end mobile app and product company. Modeled off of the Google Sprint and agile methodologies, led a variety of short and long term projects for companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. • Led as the creative director and service design for various projects, guiding mid-sized teams of UX designers, product managers, and developers • Designed and launched 7 new product experiences for new and existing companies • Managed 5-7 designers on the team as a manager and mentor to help shape their design skills and overall career growth • Led the overall design process for over 12 unique companies/product projects that wanted to establish user experiences that successfully bridge the gap between user needs and business goals • Facilitated 20 collaborative workshops design thinking workshops and collaborative brainstorm sessions to help teams establish consensus and develop the overall vision and roadmap for best-in-class digital products and user experiences

DigitasLBi_USSenior Experience Designer

Nov. 2014 - Mar. 2017Boston, MAPromoted to Senior Experience Designer in June 2016, contributing to a wide range of digital products, including mobile apps, interactive interfaces, and in-store experiences for nationally recognized brands. Focused on delivering intuitive, user-centered designs that aligned user needs with client business goals to drive measurable success. • Served as senior designer on the team that created Dunkin’ Donuts’ first-ever mobile ordering app, setting a new standard for on-the-go ordering and customer convenience. • Led the design for Bank of America’s Savings Tool, including the customer-facing mobile app, direct marketing website, and creative launch ads, driving adoption and user engagement for the new feature. • Designed an in-store interactive display experience for a leading clothing retailer, enhancing customer engagement through innovative digital touchpoints. • Developed intuitive mobile experiences for high-profile clients such as CVS, Dunkin’ Donuts, Bank of America Mobile Banking, Merrill Lynch, and DaVita. • Pitched new business concepts and digital solutions for major brands, including Merrill Lynch, CVS, TJMaxx, and Goodyear, contributing to strategic growth opportunities and client partnerships.

Home Front CommunicationsSenior Interactive Designer

Mar. 2014 - Nov. 2014Washington D.C. Metro AreaDesigned and delivered custom user interfaces and experiences for a variety of local and national clients, leading the end-to-end design process to ensure high-quality digital products aligned with user needs and business goals. Collaborated closely with project management and engineering teams to bring intuitive and impactful digital solutions to life. • Led the design of digital experiences for national and regional clients, including Chobani, Catholic Charities CYO, Housing Matters of the Urban Land Institute, and Blue Engine. • Partnered cross-functionally with project managers and developers to ensure seamless execution and delivery of user-centered designs. • Delivered polished UI/UX solutions tailored to diverse client needs, enhancing usability, engagement, and overall product quality. • Managed the full design lifecycle, from concept and wireframing to final execution, creating products that successfully balanced aesthetic appeal and functional requirements.

Blue Water MediaWeb Designer

Dec. 2011 - Mar. 2014Greenbelt, MDCreated custom, responsive web experiences tailored to meet the needs of both consumers and clients, ensuring seamless functionality and visually engaging designs. Collaborated closely with development and marketing teams to align web solutions with brand goals and technical requirements. • Designed and developed HTML templates, content layouts, and styling for responsive web experiences, ensuring compatibility across devices and platforms. • Partnered with development teams to implement designs effectively, maintaining high standards of quality and usability. • Worked alongside marketing teams to create web experiences that aligned with brand messaging and campaign objectives. • Delivered polished and scalable designs that enhanced user engagement and drove business outcomes.

Spectrum Science - a GHMC CompanyDigital Strategy & Design Intern

Sep. 2011 - Dec. 2011

Seaberry Design & CommunicationsGraphic Designer

Aug. 2010 - Dec. 2011Washington D.C.Developed responsive websites and marketing materials to meet the needs of small businesses and local government/community organizations. Worked closely with clients to deliver clear, functional designs that supported their goals. • Designed custom, responsive web experiences tailored to client requirements, ensuring accessibility and ease of use. • Created marketing materials and brochures to support business growth and community initiatives. • Collaborated directly with clients to understand their needs and translate them into effective design solutions. • Produced high-quality work that improved visibility and engagement for small businesses and local organizations.