I’m a UX Researcher, Communications Strategist, Product Consultant, and explorer who has traveled to nearly 40 countries.
I’m a researcher and problem solver.
I love listening to people, understanding their needs, and finding meaningful solutions that make their lives better.
I’m a communicator and connector.
I’m a writer and editor and I love crafting well-targeted messages that help people see how they’re connected.
I’m a voracious learner.
My podcast list is long on self-improvement topics and my Netflix queue is full of documentaries - most of them about history.
Hi, I’m Greg!
My Strengths
I want to use my strengths to help you solve important and interesting problems.
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I look back at yesterday to make sense of today’s problems and find blueprints for tomorrow’s solutions. I can draw a clear link between where I’ve been and where I’m going.
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I’m an open-minded and curious student who is constantly striving to improve. I see the world as full of things that I don’t yet know and enjoy the process of discovering and understanding it all.
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I love to stretch and exercise my mental muscles by solving problems, developing new ideas, and understanding how I can help solve problems for people. I follow my mind wherever it takes me.
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I like to save ideas, books, memorabilia, and facts (you should see my collection of physical books and virtual bookmarks). I love diving into all aspects of life to inform the problems I’m trying to solve.
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I like to find data-driven evidence that explains why things are the way they are and how certain patterns affect each other.
My Career Path
If there is one constant through my career it’s this - I have always worked to understand what people need and build bridges to help meet that need.
Whether it’s through thoughtful communication, useful digital products, or meaningful experiences, I want to help people see and feel our shared human connection.
Drawbackwards
User Experience (UX) Researcher, Product Strategist, and Communications Consultant
As the primary UX researcher on the team, I’ve led projects for nearly 20 clients of all sizes and from all industries to help them create meaningful products and experiences for their customers and teams.
I’ve merged my communications and business experience into my research practice to help align teams, communicate insights, and implement real change.
Dell Technologies
Corporate Communications Sr. Advisor
For 7 years, I managed the internal and external communications for Dell Financial Services, the financing arm of Dell. More than that, I learned how to navigate a large corporate environment, develop business acumen, lead from below by effectively advising executives, and translate technical finance topics and business strategy to layman’s terms. I did this all while building bridges across a diverse and large global team.
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
Online Media Specialist
I applied my graduate school coursework and research in International Communication directly to the real-world challenge of using emerging social media tools like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to share the benefits of international exchange programs. This meant some days I was a videographer and editor, other days I was a social media strategist, and the rest of the time I was a technocrat teaching bureaucrats how to better connect with the people they serve in a new digital age.
WAMU 88.5
Public Information Assistant
When I made the transition from Arizona to Washington, D.C., I was fortunate to have a reference from my hometown public media station that connected me to an open position at WAMU 88.5 - the station attached to American University and the third-ranked public radio station in the country.
I spent my two years in grad school working part-time in the small public information department writing the annual report, writing press releases and radio scripts, and dealing with the day-to-day press and public requests.
I eventually took on the duties of the Public Information Director during her three-month leave of absence. The responsibility I was given gave me the confidence to lead by example and make judgment calls without having somebody above to guide me on what to do.
Arizona Public Media
Broadcast Promotion and Advertising Specialist
My first real job out of college gave me the opportunity to produce radio and television on-air promos and print ads, manage the media buying strategy and budget for the station, and supervise two part-time positions. At the same time, I aligned station promotions efforts with the national PBS and NPR branding strategies and resources.
Education and Certifications
The University of Arizona
B.A., English Literature
American University
M.A., International Communication
University of Cambridge
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)