Storyteller. Forager. Seeker. Aspiring chef. Seer of silver linings. Photo taker. Poet. Collector (of pinecones, experiences, unobstructed views, and cutting boards). Chaser of seasons. Reader of memoirs. Avid roadtripper (and a believer that “roadtrip” is a compound word). Frolicker. Empath. Dog lover (his name is Jack Cousteau). Volunteer. Product thinker.

While I was born an artist and activist, I’ve become deeply interested in UX over the last few years. Perhaps it’s because we live in a digital age in which there’s an app or UI for everything. I’ve also learned that I prefer to preserve my love of long-form writing as an art form. With that understanding, I’ve found myself in love with product work, where I can lean into my empathy, creativity, and love of activism to advocate for thoughtful, human user experiences — especially within products that have a positive impact on people’s lives and, more ambitiously, the world. I find satisfaction in learning, particularly about social and environmental consciousness, the impact our behaviors have on the world, and ways we can bring awareness to pressing global issues.

At Instagram, I worked on countless workstreams that I personally identified with as a human with a passion project (Pilgrim Magazine). Every day, I contributed to experiences that helped fellow dreamers make a statement, reach new audiences, and take lofty ideas and give them sturdy roots. Because I could identify with our users, I found a sense of purpose and fulfillment in the product experiences we shipped.

Since Meta’s layoffs in November 2022 (which devastated me), I’ve spent endless hours thinking about what else I want to do in this lifetime — mostly from the open road. While there are endless possibilities, I know that I’d love to contribute to initiatives that positively influence people and the world, whether related to community, human rights, sustainability, mindful consumerism, regenerative agriculture, experiential travel — or any other number of things that merge technology and the greater good. I also want to go to grad school, write a book, shoot an album cover, and immerse myself in as much of the world as possible.

Doing things with meaning, color, intentionality, presence, conscience, thoughtfulness, and humanness — that’s what’s most important to me.

Lastly, I love research. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been asking why, looking under rocks, and talking to strangers. And I usually spend the first hour of the day reading about whatever questions I wake up with (see below).