MT
Melissa Thompson
Design leader building high-performing teams, grounded in craft and delivery.
With 20+ years of experience, I transform complex business and customer challenges into streamlined, impactful solutions. I lead with research, stay hands-on, and build teams that do the same.
Rapidly scaling and supporting effective design teams that foster collaboration, performance, and individual career development
Streamlining and optimizing research and design processes for results-driven innovation
Operationalizing ideas management processes to surface the best market opportunities and improve recurring revenue

The intersection of leadership, craft, and discovery

Design Leadership

I've scaled teams from 1 to 7, built team charters, launched UX research operations, and driven a 36% reduction in UX debt within 6 months. I believe a manager's job is to remove friction and grow the people around them.

Research & Discovery

Research isn't a phase — it's the foundation. I've built continuous discovery practices, embedded research across product and engineering, and turned complex user insights into clear product strategy. In an AI-driven world, strong context drives strong outcomes.

AI-Fluent Design

AI isn't a feature — it's a new effective design tool. I've led design for AI-powered products, integrated AI into my own practice, and coached teams on how to work alongside it. I bring both the strategic and hands-on perspective to design in a world where the tools are changing fast.

Hands-On Craft

I stay close to the work — writing UX copy, running workshops, prototyping, and leading critiques. I build peer review into the process and create design critiques that are rigorous and fun. Strong craft makes stronger leadership, and my teams see me in the details.