Idea Catalyst · Executive Function Coach.
Systems Thinker · Resident Dungeon Master
Born at a very young age, I made Seattle my home in 1991 and have enjoyed time at agencies, high-tech companies, and startups. Sometimes when it rains, I go outside holding a cocktail umbrella and pretend I'm a giant who makes bad decisions. One day, I hope someone will call me "sir" without adding "you're making a scene".
For over 20 years, I led UX, Research, and Product Design for organizations ranging from Microsoft and Filter to Smashing Ideas and Zonar Systems. I'm a self-trained designer who has always considered myself more of an architect than an artist, and I gravitate toward complex, "scary" organizational problems that give other people hives.
Throughout my career, my personal mandate was never just about making software look pretty; it was about operationalizing empathy and insisting on evidence-based decisions.
My guiding philosophy has always been: Building without learning is just guessing.
I built design systems, championed outcome-driven innovation, and restructured siloed departments into highly collaborative, psychologically safe teams., But the most rewarding system I ever architected was a human one. I discovered early on that mentoring is a mitzvah — a profound responsibility to empower the people around you.
Today, I am taking the core competencies of my UX career — deep discovery research, systems thinking, workflow design, and radical compassion — and applying them to a new chapter.
I believe that whether you are designing a SaaS platform, navigating a career transition, or running a tabletop roleplaying game, success comes down to understanding human behavior and holding space to support it.
Today, I split my time across three primary pursuits:
- Executive Functioning Coach
Navigating a 30-year high-stakes corporate career as an "ADHD human" inspired me to build the neurodiversity-affirming coaching program I wish I had when I was younger. Through Wagl Coaching, I help neurodivergent professionals leverage their Executive Functioning skills to pursue careers they actually love. - Fractional Design & Workflow Consulting
I haven't left my love for business strategy behind. I help teams stop guessing, break down internal silos, and build the operational infrastructure needed to make better decisions faster. - Resident DM & Co-Owner
I've always valued the power of play to unlock human potential, and was lucky enough to find a kindred spirit to partner with and open Tabletop Enclave, Bainbridge Island's Friendly Local Game Store & Lounge. As the Resident DM, I use the collaborative storytelling engine of Dungeons & Dragons to help my young players (age 10-14) practice social dynamics, problem-solving, and Executive Functioning skills while simply having fun.
THIS I BELIEVE
Whether I'm coaching an ADHD professional, advising a plucky startup, or guiding a party of adventurers through a goblin-infested dungeon, my efforts are anchored in a few unwavering truths:
