Our Mentors

Working designers volunteering their time. Filter by what you need help with, where you are, or how you like to meet.

1,887 mentors

Kat Bak
Design, Illustration, Writing at Kat Bak Freelance
- Illustration
- Product Design
- User Experience
- User Interface
Hi, I'm Kat. My pronouns are they/them. ‘Professional me’ is ‘real-life me’, but with better grammar and punctuation. I don’t have a ‘work persona’ - I’m always me. I work as a Product designer, writer, and illustrator. I'm not a rockstar, a ninja or a unicorn - nor will I crush it, smash it or kill it. I like to help bridge the common and occasionally tense divide between design and development silos, as well as advocate for the user perspective. I'm deeply interested in the social sciences, philosophy, art, design, and technology. I love learning - I'm always looking for the next course to take, books to read, DIY skills to YouTube, subjects to research, a pivotal event to wade through, or history to explore.
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João Ramos
Senior Product Designer at Zalando SE
- Design Leadership
- Product Design
- User Experience
- User Interface
I’m a designer who drives collaboration and alignment in teams, using facilitation and systems thinking. As a product designer with over a decade of experience, I’m now at my best enabling and coaching others. Senior Product Designer with over a decade of hands-on experience in full-stack design for the web. I'm a design generalist who uses sense-making, empathy, and design methods to drive quality, collaboration, and alignment. Seasoned in end-to-end product design, with a knack for participatory design. Comfortable in either side of the double diamond, in any blend of agile. I'm at my best facilitating ideation workshops and co-design sessions. Currently co-leading the design system and the authoring experience design at Contentful. Colourblind, but versed in visual design nonetheless. Recognised by coworkers as "vigorously charming and witty" and "excels at drawing gonads in post-its."
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Soo Yun Kim
Mobile UX Design Lead at Google
- Art Direction
- Mobile Development
- User Experience
- User Interface
Soo Yun Kim is an Emmy Award-Winning designer in Mobile Product, Interaction, and UI/UX Design based in New York with a passion for creating digital products, creative design senses, strong interpersonal capabilities, leadership, and attention to detail. Specialties UX/UI, interaction, app & mobile design, visual design, art directing, branding, CSS, HTML, motion, animation, illustration, typography, photography, design research, publications, design thinking
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Nicholas Teo
Deputy Head of Design at Flex-Solver (part of Beyondsoft)
- Graphic Design
- Interaction Design
- User Centered Design
- User Experience
A design educator that strives to help young designers process in their careers. I've learned that my life experiences were a great teacher and I want to be able to allow others to learn from life and apply it to their careers. I love to understand the culture and ensure that we use design appropriately. Experienced Design Leader with a demonstrated history of working in the innovation, professional training, and coaching industry. Skilled in Design Management, Customer Experience, Spatial Design, User Experience (UX), and Interaction Design. Strong business development professional with a Doctor of Philosophy - Ph.D. focused in Design Anthropology from the Swinburne University of Technology.
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Yugant Sonawale
User Experience Manager at Mindbody
- Interaction Design
- User Experience
- User Interface
UX Strategist with MDES Product Design from NID Amdabad, CUA certification from HFI and over 17 years of global industry experience (including 3.5 years in USA). • Leading a team of UX designers and Visual designers for delivering end to end UX design solutions for renowned US Financial Institutions. • Partnering with the client to define long-term UX strategy & vision for the multiple line of businesses. • UX design consulting experience spanning across domains such as Telecom, Banking, Mobility,Wearable, Voice Interfaces, Healthcare and Insurance. • Active contribution to UX POCs and business proposals as a part of pre-sales initiatives. • Conducted UX training sessions for various project teams to generate awareness about the practice and Design Thinking workshops for new Joiners. • Authored several White Papers/Podcasts/Design Thinking Workshops/ to spread awareness about UX design. • Domains: Storage-Networking-Virtualization-Cloud Computing-BFSI-Telecom. Design Skills: People Management, UX Design Strategy, User Research, Contextual Enquiry, Design Thinking, UX Strategy, Stakeholder Workshop, Survey, Task Flow Analysis, Affinity Modeling, Mind Mapping, User Journey
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Ali Hussain
SVP, User Experience & Product Design at American Specialty Health
- Career Advice
- Design Leadership
- Design Management
- Design Thinking
A digital intrapreneur and design thinking evangelist with 20+ years of executive leadership experience at global enterprises like Citibank, Monster, and AOL. Ali is passionate about creating and maintaining a culture of trust, optimism, and progress. He has worked and built strategic partnerships with brands like Apple, IBM, Salesforce, Samsung, Facebook, and Microsoft to accelerate innovation. Ali is a recognized speaker at Fintech and Design industry events while serving as a Board member to advance human-centered innovation in San Diego. Specialties: Design Thinking, Culture & Org Design, Digital Transformation, Corporate Strategy, Design Leadership, UX Management, Product Management, Agile & SCRUM Methodology, Usability Testing, Iterative Design Strategy, Mobile & Wearable UX, NPS & VOC Measurement, Prototyping, Gestural & Voice Interfaces.
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Sagarika Sachindra Jayawant
Product Designer at BitGo
- Design Critique
- Design Strategy
- Interaction Design
- Product Design
I’m a Product Designer at BitGo, where I design complex financial and crypto products for institutional clients. My work focuses on simplifying high-stakes workflows, turning technical requirements into intuitive experiences, and collaborating closely with product, engineering, compliance, and business teams. I’d love to mentor aspiring and early-career designers in product thinking, UX strategy, portfolio and case study development, navigating ambiguous projects, communicating design decisions, and breaking into fintech or other complex product spaces. I’m especially interested in helping designers build confidence, tell the story behind their work, and approach real-world design challenges with greater clarity.
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Thomas Wihlbiller
Staff Product Designer at MyVest
- Career Advice
- Design Critique
- Design Leadership
- Design Strategy
I am a Product Design Leader with 16+ years of experience driving innovation in enterprise systems, with a strong track record in design strategy and cross-functional collaboration at large organizations. Trained at a top European Design School, I built a solid foundation in design and gained valuable experience across industries, countries, and cultures early in my career. Most recently, as Chief Designer for MyVest’s portfolio platform, I shaped flagship products by translating complex requirements into scalable, intuitive solutions and managing all design aspects with an entrepreneurial mindset. Skills: Human Centered Design, Design Thinking, Prototyping,, Communication Skills, Work-flow improvement, Onboarding new talent, Psychological Safety, Culture Building, Design Systems
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Moises Araya
Innovation and Service Design Lead at EmployBridge
- Design Strategy
- Graphic Design
- Industrial Design
- Product Design
Moises Araya is the founder of Moi Studio. He has experience developing service design infrastructures, leading strategic initiatives, communicating ideas, innovation education, and developing an innovative culture in businesses. I help organizations develop innovation and service design initiatives. Email (design@moi.studio) or call (678 586 4411) to innovate together. I help organizations problem solve and innovate through expert consulting, Including: - Innovation Training/Courses (online self-paced courses, personalized design thinking workshops) - Team Design Thinking Workshops (team training, mentorship) - Design Sprints (Experienced Facilitator, Virtual Session, Idea Generation) - Personal Coaching (strategic planning, innovative and strategic mindset, constructive candor) WHO DO I HELP? -Positive Change Maker -Non-profits -Corporations -Governments -Startup WHY WORK WITH ME? I am a strategic thinker. I have helped multiple clients build successful positive-driven solutions and systems. I will help your organizations develop focus and implement strategic initiatives. My goal is to help you and your customer succeed and bring innovation to the forefront of your organization. WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT ME? "He helps from the outset advising how to approach a challenge and then collaborates with us in an open and constructive way to reliably deliver high-level outcomes" - James Field, Ferguson Enterprises "Their expertise is second to none." - Co-Founder, Education Nonprofit "He is collaborative in his work, always ready to listen, and has a proven track record of leading focused strategic initiatives... I've been impressed with Moises' critical analysis and questions illuminate potential pitfalls in early-stage concept development." Jason Lye, Lyco READY TO INNOVATE? 678 586 4411
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Maneesha Kalra
Associate Director at Ex Verizon
- Design Leadership
- Interaction Design
As an ex-Verizon Director, I believe great design leadership connects user needs, human-centered design, data, and business outcomes. I lead enterprise level projects with systems thinking and clarity of purpose, helping teams understand not just what to build, but why it matters. Through mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and KPI-driven decision-making, I develop designers who can identify gaps, navigate complexity, and deliver measurable impact.
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Michael Dedrick
UX Designer at Google
- 3D
- Animation
- User Experience
- User Interface
In my world, users come first! I am a technically sophisticated, high-end designer with expansive experience and success in leading and inspiring creative direction across diverse mediums and new technologies. I skillfully research and identify new product opportunities and concepts. I implement new projects that promote growth and innovation across companies and organizations—and champion compelling visual language for disparate sets of products and styles. I possess the proven ability to develop highly-effective, strategic marketing collateral for high-end clients including Apple, IBM, L’Oreal, Fidelity, Bud Light, Home Depot, Costco, and Wal-Mart. I am committed to connecting with clients and users—and bringing their vision to life effectively across a wide, far-reaching spectrum of media.
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Neha Paranjpe
Design Strategist at Self Employed
- Branding & Identity
- Design Management
- Product Design
I am a 24-year-old designer from India, curious about finding answers to all the hows, whats and whys around me. I completed my graduation as a product designer from MIT Institute of Design in 2021 with a first class with distinction. Always fascinated by lifestyle products and interiors, post-graduation I worked at a luxury lighting firm named 'Arjun Rathi Design' in Mumbai. My work involved not only design but also led production and installation and assisted in studio management. Apart from this I also trained new joiners and that's where my spark for mentoring started. Today I often cater to calls like - 'I finished my graduation and I'm unable to land my first job' or 'I'm not seeing growth in this job. Should I quit?' I've dealt with these questions myself and I know it's not an easy journey. So I'm here to help you unlock your potential by sharing my experiences of how I cracked the code and got for 7 job positions after applying to over 50. (This list of 7 even includes my dream company 'Ikea'.) Currently working as a freelancer, I can mentor you to figure out the next design thing apt for your profile - be it an undergrad/master or a job switch or elevating your design profile.
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Nandini Suthar
User Experience Lead at Salesforce
- Design Systems
- Interaction Design
- User Experience
- User Interface
With about10 years of experience in UX Design, I have worked for small design studios, as well as big enterprise companies. The products catered for Indian/global users in B2C, B2B / Supply chain domain, I believe in the philosophy, “Good design begins when you can empathise with the User well”
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Nicole Chen
Product Designer at Opendoor
- Product Design
I've made a several jumps in my career and have enjoyed every moment of it. My background is in industrial design, but I worked as a graphic designer and ended up working at Zappos as a visual designer. Then I worked at few SF startups since then as a product designer and am loving it!
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Madhu Rajanna
Founder at Sphira Digital
- Design Leadership
- Design Strategy
- Interaction Design
- User Experience
👋 Hello, I work with Automation Anywhere as the Lead User Experience in Seattle. I have led projects and teams working on enterprise & ecommerce (B2B and C2C) initiatives at Microsoft, Amazon, and Tmobile in the past. I have a proven track record of assisting mentees both inside and outside of my firms in advancing their careers and obtaining UX employment, typically in big tech. I am a passionate Product & User Experience professional who is a creative thinker with demonstrated ability to lead a project through all phases of UX & interactive development, while delivering a good customer experience. I take pride myself as I have transformed teams, as a UX evangelist, to embrace the UCD methodologies. I can assist you in the following ways as a mentor: - Review your resume and portfolio - Help developing your interview presentation and portfolio. - Support you with interview tactics - Get ready for tasks like app reviews, whiteboard challenges, and interviews - Provide guidance and insights to help you develop the desired skill set - Create a personal growth plan and advance in your current position. - Product Management - Startup consulting - Getting started with large tech - Organize a transition into a UX career - Using Breathwork & Mindfulness to manage stress
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Jenn Sager
Senior Product Designer at Encoura
- Design Leadership
- Graphic Design
- Product Design
- Typography
I'm founder and product designer at JennSager Designs, LLC based in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. When my fingers aren't tapping on my 2013 MacBook Pro's keyboard, you can find me exploring NYC, traveling, or watching Last Week Tonight with my husband and our cat Muffin. I launched Jenn Sager Designs in 2019 to help startups design and build their own visual identities. Jenn Sager Designs specializes in user-centered product design for all kinds of organizations, such as early-stage startups and self-funded ventures.
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Rajiv Surya
Lead Product Designer at Birdeye
- Architecture
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Product Design
Rajiv is a User Experience Designer with a Master's Degree in Product Design. The interest in Human Behaviour & Human centered design, motivated him to pursue a career in UX Design. He has has added value to people and organisations which he has worked for & believes in creating a positive impact. Rajiv loves to contribute and to be part of solutions that can create a positive impact in people's lives, through delightful experiences. The interest in Human Behaviour & Human-centered design, motivated Rajiv to pursue a career in UX Design. He has added value to people and brands, to name some, Jio, BajajFinserv, Kelloggs, Quaqua, Titan and CCD. His skills include - UX Design - Contextual Interviews - Interpretation Work Models - Affinity Diagrams - Visual Design - UX Writing - Design Research - Design Sprints - Usability Testing - Data Visualisation - AR/VR Design - Digital Marketing for Designers - Venture Design Any help, do write to marc.rajiv@gmail.com ✍🏻 Official website : www.rajivsurya.com
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Peter Dennis
Investing at 1kx
- Graphic Design
- User Experience
- User Interface
- User Research
A designer focused on scaling startups, growing businesses and helping teams succeed through design.
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Olivia Ing
Founder, CEO at Playspaces.co
- Art Direction
- Branding & Identity
- Creative Direction
- Graphic Design
Experienced Executive in Brand and Creative Strategy with a demonstrated history of working in the luxury goods and direct-to-consumer industry. Skilled in Brand Architecture and Positioning, Digital Strategy, Creative Direction, Marketing, Content Strategy, and Social Media. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor's degree focused in Design and Management from Parsons School of Design.
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Hossein SamadZadeh
Chief Product Officer at Noyan CO
- Art Direction
- Content Design
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
Over the years, I have leveraged design thinking and interdisciplinary expertise across various fields like health, tourism, finance, and more, to craft innovative solutions for complex problems. My strength lies in identifying both my strengths and weaknesses and bridging them through creative problem-solving techniques. I thoroughly enjoy formulating and designing strategies that drive results. Nearly two decades ago, I embarked on my professional journey with a design-focused mindset, starting with graphic and product design, and gradually expanding into service design and business strategy design. Throughout this path, I have gained extensive team management experience, leading small and large teams. I firmly believe in the power of collective thinking and find it highly effective and practical in almost every aspect. Drawing from my wealth of experience, I dedicate much of my time to managing the value cycle and enhancing process performance. By employing the knowledge and insights gained, I continuously strive to optimize processes, maximize efficiency, and drive tangible outcomes.
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Meraj Alam Idrisi
Research Scholar at Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE)
- 3D
- Industrial Design
- Product Design
Research Scholar @ Department of Design, Delhi Technological University, Delhi (Designer, Mechanical Engineer, Educator & Lawyer | अभिकल्पक , यंत्रिकी अभियंता, शिक्षक और विधिवक्ता | ڈیزائنر، مکینیکل انجینئر، استاد اور وکیل )
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Akansha Agarwal
Senior Product Designer at Fabhotels
- Branding & Identity
- Mobile Design
- Visual Design
I am a Product Designer with a deep passion for: >> Problem-solving >> Creating User-Centric design >> Compelling Visual Storytelling. Having around 4 years of experience in Product design, working with cross-functional teams including stakeholders, Project managers, and developers to provide seamless product experience. I have worked with diverse and renowned companies such as Fabhotels, Ticketmaster, Foxymoron and so on which helped me upskilling myself in the Design domain. I'm passionate about problem-solving for users and balancing business needs to provide exceptional value. Whether you seek guidance in product design, career progression, or a friendly design chat, I'm here to offer advice, insights, and support.
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George Bagaoisan
Product Designer at Trusted Health
- Interaction Design
- Mobile Design
- Product Design
- User Experience
I'm currently a Senior Product Designer based in Northern California. Prior to being a product designer, I was a DJ, photographer, adolescent counselor, and mental health rehabilitation specialist. My varied professional and personal experiences have led me to be very empathetic, creative, adventurous, and curious. When not pushing pixels or asking leading questions, I'm often found cluelessly navigating sections of a state, national forest, or park with my wife and canine companions.
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Satish Kondamuri
Senior Principal UX Designer at Aaseya IT Services
- Design Thinking
- User Centered Design
- User Experience
- User Interface
With over 14 years of experience designing impactful and user-centered experiences across fintech, telecom, healthcare, media, and government sectors, I specialize in creating intuitive solutions that seamlessly blend functionality with user delight—consistently exceeding expectations. At Aaseya IT Services, I lead UX strategy initiatives for software products and enterprise applications, ensuring that design decisions are deeply rooted in user research and guided by design thinking principles. One of my key achievements includes developing a UX strategy for the Performance Analytics Admin Console, which increased the active customer base from 38% to 64%. My role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify UX/UI opportunities, define design goals, and deliver intuitive user experience. Combining a strong foundation in the User-Centered Design (UCD) approach with extensive experience facilitating design thinking workshops, I’m committed to fostering innovation while championing user empathy at every stage. Alongside mentoring both junior and senior designers, I continue to drive scalable design practices that empower teams and elevate product experiences. My dedication to a User-Centered Design (UCD) approach complements my experience in facilitating design thinking workshops, making sure that every idea is thoroughly vetted and refined. I am mentoring junior/senior designers, I’m excited about the possibility of contributing to your team in UX/UI.
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Giuseppe Infortuna
Lead of UX/UI Design at Central City Coding
- Graphic Design
- Product Design
- User Experience
- User Interface
I am a highly dedicated and creative senior designer with over thirteen years of experience in creative roles. My passion for fresh and original solutions combined with a level-headed and rational approach has resulted in an impressive portfolio of high-quality concepts and projects. A hands-on approach to the entire creative process means that each project is given the utmost attention from initial concept to final delivery. A strong communicator with the ability to convey ideas clearly to clients as well as to copywriters and web developers.
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