“When the Student Is Ready, the Teacher Appears”
We don’t grow by clinging to what we already know. We grow in the freefall of not knowing—when life feels unclear, and yet somehow, the exact person, moment, or memory shows up to help us.
Hi, I’m Thelma—a designer, strategist, and systems thinker who thrives in complexity. I’ve led a powerhouse team of product designers working across multiple federal programs, including four large-scale systems, greenfield AI prototypes, and high-impact civic tech initiatives. My work lives at the intersection of product, policy, and people, where I help teams move from building unclear features to clarity by defining the right problems.
Whether I’m building design culture from the ground up, coaching product teams through transformation, or using AI to turn policy into prototypes, I care most about this: designing systems that think, teams that align, and products that truly resonate.
All the while, I stay close to the craft—contributing as an independent designer to keep my skills sharp and my perspective grounded.
I believe in making space for the overlooked, translating ambiguity into insight, and doing serious work without taking myself too seriously.
Developed prototypes and products that harness artificial intelligence to enhance decision-making processes and user experiences—both as integrated product features and as tools to accelerate design and research.
Spearheaded the transformation of elections management and voter registration platforms used by 26 states, managing 50 million voters during the 2020 election cycle. Redesigned Louisiana and Indiana’s state voter portals, enhancing election information for approximately 7.7 million registered voters.
Worked on federal hiring platforms that processed over 17 million applications. Designed and built Power Apps that replaced manual spreadsheets with automated workflows, transforming how teams operate.
Led design of data products used at the highest levels of government to inform policy. Standardized requirements using HCD principles and an agency-wide style guide, accelerating development of visualizations that answered critical business questions.
Led design and implementation of product management approaches for GIS applications that supported land acquisition, planning, and resource management for highway and infrastructure projects.
Worked on Nuclear platform used by 90% of U.S. nuclear plants, and aviation solutions supporting operations at 100+ airports.
Below are selected case studies that show how I tackle complexity, collaboration, and user-centered solutions.
Modernized a state voter app by making complex voter data feel simple—while working with the kind of cross-functional team you wish every project had.
Transformed complex land acquisition workflows into a map-first platform. Connecting multiple systems and data integrations into one seamless experience.
Driven by curiosity and shaped by experience, I often share what I’m learning, whether it’s through personal reflection or professional exploration.
We don’t grow by clinging to what we already know. We grow in the freefall of not knowing—when life feels unclear, and yet somehow, the exact person, moment, or memory shows up to help us.
Most AI project failures have nothing to do with technology—and everything to do with people. This post unpacks a simple way to fix that.
As you wind down this week, I imagine it feels like crossing the finish line of a marathon while juggling chainsaws – exciting, exhilarating, and as graceful as a giraffe on roller skates.
