Compass Statement

Working on my three paragraph pitch using Career Strategy Lab's framework

location Raleigh,  NC,  US

Worked on my "Compass Statement" yesterday morning for LinkedIn and whatnot.

Here're my three options that I'm working through (and posted in the community for feedback):

Option 1: Integrating Generalist

I'm an integrating generalist who architects products, technologies, and organizations—scaling teams from 10 to 85+ people while growing platforms from 500K to 1.5M+ daily active users across web, mobile, and API ecosystems.

My graphic design degree taught me to give meaningful visual form to systems and structures, which I've applied across 18+ years at Booking.com, Space Force, and FDA—leading B2B, B2C, and government platforms serving 200+ countries. I bring nonlinear, associative systems-thinking that connects product strategy, technical architecture, and organizational design in ways others miss, combined with people-focused leadership that helps individuals discover where they'll thrive.

I'm seeking senior leadership roles at values & mission-driven organizations (B-Corps, cooperatives, agencies, open companies) building accessible, sustainable web products with remote/hybrid flexibility. I want to help build things for the next century, not just the next funding round. If it’s in Barcelona or Amsterdam, even better.

Option 2: Strategic Systems Thinker

I'm a strategic systems thinker who sees patterns others miss—architecting design systems, technical platforms, and organizational structures across 18+ years in product and engineering leadership.

My background in graphic design trained me to think in systems and structures, manipulating typography, images, and visual form—skills I've scaled from pixels to platforms at Booking.com (200+ countries, 40+ languages), Space Force, and through my consultancy Poet & Scribe. I combine this design foundation with deep technical fluency (HTML/CSS, frontend architecture, accessible web development) and an "uncanny ability" to identify where people flourish, then build cultures of continuous learning, where knowledge compounds and teams scale their capabilities faster than headcount.

I'm pursuing leadership roles (Director/VP of Product, Engineering, Design, or cross-functional) at mission-driven organizations building open, accessible web platforms with remote flexibility—places committed to equity, transparency, and the long view of time. If it’s in Barcelona or Amsterdam, even better.

Option 3: Cross-Disciplinary Leader (Winner)

I'm a Cross-Disciplinary Leader who operates where Product, Technology, Design, and Operations intersect—combining design system expertise, technical literacy, and people-focused leadership to scale teams and platforms simultaneously.

My graphic design degree taught me to manipulate typography, images, and systems to give meaningful form to content through to production. These foundational skills rooted, growing across disciplines, deepening through an 18+ year career. I've worked at places like Booking.com (scaling an org from 10→85 people, 500K→1.5M DAU), Space Force, FDA, and agencies serving B2B, B2C, and government clients.

I "taught myself" web design and development, starting one sick weekend, during University studies. With one of my first tax refund checks I bought a domain, hosting, CSS for Dummies, and built my first website using Text Edit on my laptop. Within the next few months, I would land my first freelance client—a National Geographic Photographer, Tom Ulrich.

Each year before he passed away, he'd send me an email with the year's schedule and a twenty dollar bill in the mail. I've not just worked at agencies, enterprise, or government. I'm an entrepreneur and intraprenuer.

I connect dots others don't see: how technical architecture shapes team structure, how communication culture impacts product velocity, how design systems become organizational operating systems—all through nonlinear, associative thinking, bottom-up attention to detail, and adaptive communication styles that flex from technical to executive stakeholders.

I'm seeking senior leadership roles (Director/VP) at organizations building accessible web products with cultures that prioritize: continuous learning, feedback, and co-creative remote/hybrid environments. Specifically, places committed to diversity, equity, transparency, and sustainable labor practices.

I want to help build things for the next century, not just the next funding round. If it’s in Barcelona or Amsterdam, even better.

Industries of interest:

  • Open Source & Open Web
  • Digital Design Agencies (B2B)
  • Climate & Sustainability
  • Collaboration tooling
  • People & Culture
  • DEIA & Disability
  • Media & Publishing
  • Travel & Hospitality
  • Government & Civic Tech

Industries I have absolutely no interest in:

  • Defense Tech (offensive)
  • Gambling
  • Social Media
  • Ad Tech
  • Surveillance
  • FinTech
  • "Web3" & Crypto
  • Marketing & Branding Agencies