about me
Growing up Creative
I grew up in Wisconsin farm country, where small-town life and endless outdoor time sparked my curiosity for art, stories, and technology. I spent my early years diving into mythology, science, and game design — sketching graphic novels and inventing oddball worlds. With parents in publishing, I was one of the rare kids with a Mac in the house, which meant my creative experiments quickly merged with technology. Later, living in Sonoma and San Francisco exposed me to a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship that left a lasting impression.Design became a natural path. After a two-year design program, I landed a role at American Girl (Mattel), where I created books, games, and toys that shaped how kids played and imagined. By my early twenties I was directing illustrators, designing at scale, and developing the creative confidence that continues to guide me today.
I later moved to Chicago to study at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where I focused on the intersection of creative technology and human behavior. Since then, I’ve built a career in digital product design — leading teams, scaling design systems, and crafting experiences that connect millions of people to stories, entertainment, and play.
Outside of work, I stay curious and playful: vegan food, biking, onewheeling, kayaking, guitar, karaoke, and game art projects keep me moving. Most recently, I’ve been taking improv classes at Second City — a reminder that creativity thrives on collaboration, experimentation, and fun.