About Holly
Curious, smart, and easygoing—with a few quirky hobbies to keep things interesting—that’s how friends and colleagues describe me.
I care deeply about my work and am passionate about crafting digital experiences that are both polished and genuinely user-centered.
I have a knack for breaking down complex ideas into simple, clear stories that everyone can understand, and I’m all about fostering collaboration and kindness in the teams I work with. Mentoring others to grow into confident, capable designers is something I truly enjoy.
When I lead, I focus on building the kind of environment where people feel safe, supported, and energized to do their best work.
My Leadership and Approach
I believe psychological safety isn’t just a leadership buzzword—it’s the foundation of creative, collaborative teams that thrive. My priority is to remove roadblocks, advocate for my people, and create space where designers can show up fully as themselves.
Empathy, curiosity, and trust aren’t just ideals—they are core to how I lead. Fear, ego, and toxicity have no place here. Incredible work happens when teams feel seen, valued, and genuinely supported by leadership that has their back. I encourage experimentation, celebrate learning (especially the messy parts), and foster the kind of creative culture where everyone feels like they belong.
OVERALL INDUSTRY / BRAND EXPERIENCE
Big brands. Small local businesses. International. I’ve touched quite a bit.
Agile, Product, and SaaS
Caster Connection, EWT, ExpandOS, FacilitySource, SpotOn, TIA Services
Alcohol & Beverage
Blueprint Spirits
Childcare & Learning
Knowledge Universe
Consumer Brands & Retail
Abercrombie Kids, Bob Evans, Bodega, Blaze, City Barbeque, Creative Recreation, Laughing Noodle, Olive Garden, Pompadours Mentor39 BeLow FroYo, Purina, Red Lobster, Velvet Ice Cream, YUM! Brands
Education & Nonprofit
AICUO, BalletMet, Central Ohio Agile Association, Opera Project Columbus, The Ohio State University
Energy & Utilities (AEP Family of Companies)
AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, American Electric Power, Appalachian Power, Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Southwestern Electric Power Company
Financial Services
Chase, Telemus
Food & Beverage
Lean Cuisine, Nestlé Baking, Nestlé Crunch Butterfinger, Stouffer’s, SweeTarts, Wonka
Healthcare & Wellness
OhioHealth, Phia Salon / AVEDA, Quantum Health
Home & Appliances
Bionaire, Fisher & Paykel, FoodSaver, GE, Kenmore, Maytag, Whirlpool
Sports & Community
IFPA Women’s Ohio State Championships, The Columbus Crew, The Ohio Roller Girls
Technology & Entertainment
FOX / The Simpsons, Monster Cable, Sony, Ticketmaster
Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
Blue Horizon Resort, Dublin Irish Festival, Mudjin Bar + Grill, Open Sky Day Spa, Tourism Ohio
Customer Experience as a Mindset
To me, design isn’t just about screens—it’s about the full customer journey. I approach every project with a broad lens, considering how each touchpoint shapes the overall experience. That often means thinking beyond my direct responsibilities: asking whether a marketing message should support a feature launch, whether a confusing IVR path is driving call frustration, or whether the design of a document is creating unnecessary service volume.
I look for the gaps others may miss—places where small design changes can drive clarity, reduce friction, and improve satisfaction. My goal is always to solve the right problem, even if it means pulling in other teams, channels, or workflows.
Because at the end of the day, customers don’t experience our work in silos—so I don’t design in one.
Product & Experience Design
Product Design Leadership
UX Research
Native Mobile Application Design
Responsive / Adaptive Design
UX Design
UX Writing
CX Ecosystem Thinking
Where I Create Value
CREATIVE & BRAND STRATEGY
Creative Direction
Brand Identity Design
Brand Strategy
Brand Voice
Omni-Channel Brand Development & Marketing
Team & cross-functional relationships
Team Mangement / Mentorship
Engineering Team Communication
Cross-Functional Relationship Building
Getting Non-Creative Folks (ie Executives, PM, Eng) on Board 😉