I’m interested in designing and supporting experiences in public-facing environments — including education, arts, and outdoor settings. A lot of my work focuses on how people navigate real situations, especially when things feel unfamiliar or a bit complex.

I come from a user experience research background, but I also have hands-on experience working in service and safety roles. That combination makes me pay attention not just to systems, but to how people feel and what they need in the moment.

I’m especially interested in roles where I can support people directly and improve how they experience services.

Service & Community Experience

Alpine Ski patrol | Frontline Service & Operational Improvement

I joined Boyne Resorts as a ski patroller, motivated by a strong interest in outdoor environments, first aid, and providing direct, hands-on support to people in need. The role involves working in dynamic and high-risk conditions, supporting visitors across a wide range of situations — from safety guidance to emergency response.

Supporting People
I provide frontline support by responding to medical incidents, assisting injured or distressed individuals, and ensuring visitors’ safety across the mountain. This includes assessing injuries, offering first aid, stabilizing patients, and transporting them safely using a toboggan. I also support emergency situations such as lift evacuations, where we rescue individuals from chairlifts using rope systems.

In addition to emergency response, I help maintain a safe environment through daily operations — opening terrain, checking hazards, marking unsafe areas, and sweeping the mountain at the end of the day to ensure all visitors have exited safely.

How I Approach It
My approach combines situational awareness, clear communication, and empathy. Many individuals I work with are in pain, stressed, or unfamiliar with the environment, so I focus on meeting people where they are, de-escalating anxiety, and helping them feel supported and safe.

Drawing from my background in product design, I also pay close attention to how workflows and communication impact team efficiency. I actively observe pain points in real-time operations and look for small, practical ways to improve coordination and clarity.

Impact
One improvement I introduced was a simple communication change: when leaving the mountain’s bump shed (patrol standby station), I suggested that patrollers call out the remaining headcount. Previously, dispatch frequently needed to check in to understand coverage, creating interruptions and inefficiencies.

This small adjustment improved visibility into team distribution, reduced unnecessary back-and-forth communication, and helped dispatch make quicker, more informed decisions when assigning resources and coordinating training.

Through this experience, I’ve developed strong judgment in high-pressure environments, the ability to support diverse individuals with empathy and clarity, and a practical understanding of how small service and workflow improvements can meaningfully impact real-world operations.

Alfa Art Gallery |  Visitor Experience & Community Engagement

At Alfa Art Gallery, I worked in a small, public-facing environment where clear communication, community engagement, and a welcoming visitor experience were essential. The gallery regularly hosted exhibitions and events, working closely with artists and engaging with a diverse audience.

Supporting People
I supported both artists and visitors by coordinating exhibition information, managing communications, and contributing to a smooth and engaging gallery experience. This included updating website content, managing social media, sending event communications, and coordinating with artists on exhibition details and artwork presentation.

During events and gallery hours, I also engaged directly with visitors — welcoming them, introducing artworks, and helping create an approachable and informative environment for people with different levels of familiarity with art.

How I Approach It
My approach focused on clarity, consistency, and accessibility. I aimed to make information easy to understand and timely, while creating a more active and engaging presence for the gallery.

On social media, I introduced more consistent updates, including showcasing daily artworks, highlighting artists, and sharing behind-the-scenes moments from the gallery. I also engaged with audience comments and questions to build a more interactive and welcoming community presence.

Impact
These efforts helped increase visibility and engagement on social media, bringing more attention to exhibitions and events. Visitors had more touchpoints to learn about the gallery, both online and in person, leading to a more connected and accessible experience.

Through this work, I developed a deeper understanding of how communication, content, and in-person interaction come together to shape visitor experience in cultural and community spaces.

Volunteer Work | Cultural Events and Outdoor Environments

I’ve contributed to a range of volunteer roles across cultural institutions and outdoor events, supporting diverse communities in public-facing settings. These experiences span museums, film festivals, and trail running events, each requiring coordination, adaptability, and a strong focus on visitor and participant experience.

Supporting People
At the American Museum of Natural History in New York, I supported a Lunar New Year (Year of the Rooster) cultural event, helping facilitate activities and share cultural context with visitors. At the New York Film Festival, I assisted with event coordination, including setup, logistics, and supporting audience flow.

In Washington State, I volunteered at trail running events. At Evergreen trail races, I supported sustainability efforts through waste sorting and environmental cleanup. At Rainshadow Running events, I served as a medical volunteer, assisting injured runners and providing basic first aid support during races.

How I Approach It
Across these roles, I focus on being attentive, adaptable, and responsive to people’s needs in dynamic environments. Whether supporting cultural understanding in a museum setting, helping coordinate large-scale events, or assisting individuals in physically demanding outdoor races, I aim to create a supportive and well-organized experience.

Impact
These experiences strengthened my ability to work with diverse populations, support both cultural and physical well-being, and contribute to positive, inclusive, and safe public experiences. They also deepened my interest in community-centered work that combines service, education, and real-world engagement.