Describe yourself, using only a post-it note…
Anything else that you couldn’t quite squeeze on there?
Photography Projects & Photo Walks
Photography provides me a unique lens on the world and an appreciation for each environment I find myself in - from the epic excursions to everyday wanders. My camera goes with me everywhere, and having it in my hand opens my eyes and mind to the stories that surround us. Recently I have started sharing this experience with others by leading photography walks in a variety of Seattle neighborhoods. I also provide professional photo shoot and editing services. In 2020 I was shortlisted for the international Close Up Photographer of the Year awards.
Your camera really goes with you everywhere?
And it isn’t the only thing. These are my favorites and daily essentials - the things that go with me everywhere, everyday.
There was a guitar on that post-it right?
Music Projects & Mirror Maze
Musical expression has always been an important part of my life. I grew up absorbing the eclectic tastes of my parents, training in classical guitar and piano, and gradually curating my own taste and collection. Now I’m beginning to find my own musical voice through annual projects. I created the Mirror Maze moniker and website for these and other artistic pursuits - my distorted perceptions and reflections of the world around us. What The Tide Left Behind marks the 5th of these full length album projects.
What The Tide Left Behind - 2020
Human Nature - 2018
Dust Covers - 2017
The Collective - 2016
ADIA - 2015
What about, you know, work?
I am an experienced program manager who thrives in a collaborative environment where passionate creators go beyond their roles and expectations to discover, describe and deliver customer focused solutions at any scale.
Specialties include:
Identifying research based insights
Developing focused concepts
Proving value through rapid testing
Building teams around a shared vision
Leading all phases of the development process
Experience
Microsoft
Redmond, WA
2008 to present
Senior Program Manager
1st Party Hardware - Office
2019 to present
Senior Project Manager
Remote Assist - Mixed Reality at Work
2018 to 2019
Creative Program Manager
People & Inclusive Avatars - NEXT
2016 to 2018
Program Manager
Messaging - Windows Phone
2011 to 2016
SDET
Live Messenger - Windows Mobile
2008 to 2011
Education
B. Eng Software Engineering
McGill University
2004 to 2008
Tools
Microsoft: O365, Teams, ADO, Visual Studio
Adobe CC: Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator
Other: Steinberg Cubase, Staffpad, Roli Equator
Skills
Focus
Curiosity
Storytelling
Team Building
Decision Making
Customer Empathy
Process Management
Concept Development
Multi Discipline Collaboration
Got any examples of this in practice?
Professional Projects
A small sample of recent products I have managed, with a primary focus on human interaction on emerging devices and platforms such as HoloLens, Mixed and Augmented Reality, and other emerging device form factors. Developing for new technologies can be fascinating, with near infinite potential and product direction, but I always lead with the human problem we are addressing and the true need we must solve for. Identifying these needs is essential to the “core truth” behind any great product and enables a clear vision to both inspire a team and make tough decisions.
Office for Surface Neo
Neo in many ways defines the future of Microsoft: a unique piece of Surface hardware pioneering an entirely new product category, a modern Windows OS designed for touch and dual screens, a chromium based Edge web browser, and a dynamic Office suite built to be used on the go. I currently work at the intersection of these efforts - bringing the best of Surface, Windows, Edge and Office together into a cohesive product through shared user research, planning, key objectives, and customer obsession.
Dynamics 365 Remote Assist
The Remote Assist experience began as an enterprise focused HoloLens application, allowing technicians and front line workers to share their environment with a remote expert to solve problems together in real time. The HoloLens provided an industry leading “heads up, hands free” experience but was limited in scale of deployment. In order to address this, we pioneered the first generation of Microsoft Mixed Reality experiences designed for mobile devices by bringing Remote Assist to Android as an augmented reality application. We worked directly with customers through early outreach and beta programs across the world to ensure a compelling product that met real world needs.
Inclusive Avatars in MR
Based upon our work delivering the next generation of inclusive Avatars for Xbox, we defined the vision for an entirely new product category – Mixed Reality avatars in the workplace. This vision was built upon direct relationships with customers, cross team brainstorming sessions, and user journey based concept design. We refined our product truth through rapid testing of hundreds of prototypes, gathering feedback from users and industry experts and researchers throughout the creative process. Our vision, research, concepts and prototypes eventually led to the evolution of Teams and support for spatially aware meetings.
Sounds good, what if I want to reach you?
I’d love to hear any questions or comments you may have on my projects, what your personal post-it note would look like, or if you are interested in a future collaboration. I am also available for photo shoots, editing and personalized workshops.
Get in touch!
Last chance, got any other details to share?
Tidbits & Behind The Scenes
