DIA Design Guild

I formalized the program structure, introduced scalable processes, and implemented a CSAT measurement system to improve program effectiveness and participant satisfaction.

Key achievements include:
• Scaling the Apprenticeship Program: Formalized a structured 9-month mentorship model, improving project outcomes and skill development for junior designer apprentices.
• Mentorship & Talent Development: Recruited and managed senior designers to provide high-quality guidance for junior designers.
• Improved Project Management & Client Satisfaction: Developed formalized project management processes, leading to clearer expectations and increased satisfaction from client stakeholders.

Design Program Manager

Design Evangelist

Design Mentor & Instructor
Combining both teaching and mentoring, I have over 10,000 hours of experience.

• Served as an instructor at leading institutions, such as General Assembly, GrowthX Academy, Flatiron School, Seattle School of Visual Concepts, Product School, UC Berkeley, and Academy of Art University
• Developed curriculum for top programs, including Springboard, GrowthX Academy, Interaction Design Foundation, IxDF Bootcamps, Flatiron School, Product School, UC Berkeley, and Chegg
• Mentored through various community, bootcamp, and organizational programs

Design Educator

Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design

I overhauled school management operations, replacing outdated systems with a modern, scalable solution that improved class scheduling and operational efficiency. I also optimized design tooling and software resources, reducing costs and improving data accessibility.

Key achievements include:
• Scaling Course Offerings: Implemented a new school management system, enabling the organization to increase concurrent class capacity by 300%.
• Cost Reduction: Standardized design tools and software, eliminating inefficiencies and saving $100K annually.
• Data & Process Improvement: Applied information architecture principles to improve data accessibility and reduce data duplication by 90%.

Design Operations Manager

The Hired Guns

Worked in a fast-paced agency environment, specializing in design recruiting while also improving knowledge management for the team.

Key achievements include:
• Candidate Evaluation: Reviewed and evaluated 100+ UX designer candidate profiles and portfolios, assessing qualifications and fit for various design roles.
• Process & Knowledge Management: Built a Notion-based knowledge management system to document onboarding, create consistency in projects, and streamline the recruiting process. This significantly reduced the time required to train and onboard new employees.

Design Talent Partner

LinkedIn

I redesigned and standardized LinkedIn’s UX Design onboarding program, ensuring new UX designers could seamlessly transition into any product team and become productive faster.

Key achievements include:
• Onboarding Standardization: Designed and implemented a new UX designer onboarding program to improve ramp-up time and team integration.

IxDF - Interaction Design Foundation

• Led daily operations and strategic initiatives, implementing best practices to optimize the UX Design Bootcamp program 
• Increased member insights by 5% by instigating a regular research program
• Improved project planning and scheduling for UX Design boot camps, strategized new educational initiatives and created original UX course content

Flatiron School

I led Flatiron School’s San Francisco UX program, managing faculty and ensuring the successful graduation and job placement of cohorts of 20 design students. I introduced a cross-disciplinary collaboration program between UX and software engineering students, giving them hands-on experience working together.

Key achievements include:
• Student Success & Placement: Led Flatiron’s San Francisco UX program, ensuring strong job placement outcomes.
• Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Built a structured program for UX designers and software engineers to collaborate on projects.
• Curriculum Improvements: Implemented course changes that led to a 20% increase in exercise scores.

Design Program Director

GrowthX Academy

I built and scaled GrowthX Academy’s UX design program from the ground up, designing an industry-aligned curriculum that prepared students for real-world careers. The program achieved a 90% job placement rate, and I oversaw the development of 40+ functional prototypes for web, mobile, and IoT clients through hands-on, project-based learning.

Key achievements include:
• Program Creation & Growth: Designed and launched an industry-aligned UX design program, achieving a 90% student placement rate.
• Client Project Experience: Guided student teams in developing 40+ functional prototypes for real clients, reinforcing practical UX skills through hands-on client collaboration.

Epsilon

I led a cross-functional team of 8, including UX designers, UI designers, and content strategists, delivering solutions for 10+ B2B and B2C clients annually, including Wells Fargo, American Express, Apple, Google, Cisco, and Genentech.

Key achievements include:
• Enterprise UX Leadership: Managed UX strategy and execution for Fortune 500 clients across finance, tech, and healthcare.
• Design Systems & Efficiency: Created scalable design systems, style guides, and component libraries to improve consistency across projects.
• UX Training & Advocacy: Led client workshops to strengthen teams' understanding of customer experience best practices.

Design Manager, Digital Design

TripIt

Drove mobile and web design for a top travel app. Implemented data-driven design practices and led design reviews to ensure high-quality releases.

Lead Product Designer

I'm a design program manager with a background in UX, interaction design, and education. I bring structure to design teams and help programs run smoothly.

I've worked across both industry and education, and I’m especially drawn to roles that support design teams building thoughtful, education-focused experiences. I thrive in environments where I can contribute behind the scenes—helping teams stay aligned, focused, and connected to the needs of users and businesses.

Over my career, I've built and led design operations initiatives, UX education programs, and onboarding optimization at organizations ranging from startups to global tech companies. I’ve formalized design processes, standardized tools, and improved cross-team alignment, helping companies scale efficiently while maintaining a strong design culture.

I’m passionate about solving organizational challenges that impact design teams, whether it’s streamlining workflows, improving collaboration between teams, or developing scalable solutions for talent growth.

Always open to connecting with others (include a note) working at the intersection of design, education, and impact-driven work.

Julia DeBari

Program Development

Leading UX research to optimize content strategy, define UX strategies, and develop sustainable UX programs.

UX Research Ops

UX Program Coordinator

IAC - Information Architecture Conference

Grew LinkedIn followers 265% organically (567 → 2,067) through audience-focused, strategic content.

Increased Instagram community 42% and launched Bluesky, growing from 0 to 300 followers in 5 months.

Created and managed content calendars aligned with key event milestones and marketing goals.

Wrote and optimized 100+ posts across platforms, designing consistently branded visuals — all through unpaid, organic growth strategies.

Built a consistent brand voice and elevated community engagement across professional UX/IA networks.

Social Media Communications Manager

Serenity Collective

Led user research used to develop client facing websites and features. Research was summarized into actionable insights for designers to create user informed product changes. 

Sourced participants based on extensive persona psychographic analysis, and led both the design and facilitation of both moderated and unmoderated studies. Research plans were always aligned with business objectives.

Developed user and stakeholder journeys for the analysis and development of better on-going research practices, such as improving participant sourcing techniques, qualitative analysis, and information architecture practices.

UX Researcher & Content Strategist

UX Cake

Podcast strategist ensuring high-quality content, managing distribution, coordinating promotion through social media, and collaborating to target new demographics.

Podcast Producer

Strategic UX Leader™ Coaching & Development

Collaborating closely with the founder (Leigh Allen Arredondo) to develop program and digital marketing strategies for UX Strategic Leader programs and workshops. Created, maintained, and analyzed participant journeys and experiences of the program to inform business strategy and user-informed program development.

UX Strategist

Shanti Project

Managed program databases, CRM, and grant funding. Streamlined data acquisition, HR operations, and payroll analysis. Secured multiple grants for program funding.

· Database Management | Managed program database, CRM, and data acquisition. Made sure that the data acquisition processes matched the requirements of necessary grants for program funding, as well as the needs of our users and my colleagues.

· Operations & HR | Maintained HR & Employee files. Inputting and analyzing data for company wide payroll. Developed staff training for program CRM database and effective data acquisition processes.

· Program Funding | Developed grant proposals, generated reports, and worked closely with program staff to ensure that grant objectives were met. As a result, our nonprofit received multiple grants to support with program funding (including San Francisco Legacy Business Grant).

Operations & Programs Data Specialist 

Streamlined data processes, supported community growth, and managed impactful events. Coordinated emergency volunteer program during COVID crisis, providing practical support to at-risk individuals.

· Data Optimization | Developed streamlined processes for easier data input and more targeted data output, saving time and energy for my team. This allowed us to invest more resources back into our community and support colleagues in their work, ultimately maximizing our impact.

· Community Development | Collaborated closely with mental health advocates, health care professionals, and community activists to support their direct-service work. Through active listening and analysis of themes, I advocated for the needs of others and devised effective solutions to address them, fostering community growth and well-being.

· Event Management | Successfully managed the design, publicity, and logistics of events, retreats, and support groups for the San Francisco HIV+ community. Developed compelling content for newsletters, marketing materials, and client communications, effectively promoting engagement and participation.

· CERV Program | Played a key role in coordinating the CERV program, matching over 400 emergency volunteers with at-risk older adults during the height of the COVID crisis. Provided both one-time and ongoing practical support to over 1,300 individuals, ensuring their safety and well-being during challenging times.

Program Coordinator

Currently on hiatus. Below are some of my past side projects:

· Design | Publicity, branding, and marketing material design for small companies, events, and organizations. 

· Education | Workshop development, art education program management, and guest lecturing at educational institutions. 

· Fine Art Commissions | Collaborating with clients to create custom illustrations, paintings, and mixed media.

Artist | Designer

Academy of Art University

Empowered clients with financial guidance and support for college funding. Managed diverse student portfolios, optimizing processes and improving the overall client experience.

·  Financial Empowerment | Empowered clients by educating and guiding them through complex college funding options. Provided expert guidance and advice to students and parents, fostering a deeper understanding of the various financial aid options available to support their educational endeavors.

·  Portfolio Management | Managed a diverse portfolio of students throughout the financial aid process, ensuring efficient and accurate handling of their applications and documentation in accordance with FAFSA guidelines. Proactively reviewed and assessed the application and financial aid process, consistently seeking areas for improvement to enhance the overall client experience. Through my suggestions and implementation of actionable solutions, I streamlined processes and maximized efficiency.

Financial Aid Counselor

Good Eggs

· Event Coordination | As Community Ambassador, I facilitated the logistics of local pop-up markets, tastings, and other grassroots marketing events in the Bay Area community.

Grassroots Marketing & Brand Ambassador

C.E.D.A.R (Center for Education, Diversity, and Reconciliation)

Managed operations and administration of the Azusa Renaissance Summer Program, optimizing support for teachers and student success. Developed valuable resources for future staff, facilitated communication with stakeholders, and provided support to volunteers and teachers.

· Program Operations and Administration | Successfully managed daily operations and administrative aspects of the Azusa Renaissance Summer Program, ensuring optimal support for teachers and student success. Oversaw camp logistics, streamlined administrative functions, and implemented effective strategies to enhance program operations.

· Resource Development | Developed a comprehensive employee/program handbook and an in-depth position manual, providing valuable resources for future seasonal administrative staff. Facilitated seamless transitions and clear delegation of responsibilities.

· Communication and Stakeholder Engagement | Effectively communicated with parents and department stakeholders, addressing inquiries and concerns to facilitate program setup and maintain productive relationships.

· Volunteer and Teacher Support | Managed a team of volunteers and provided ongoing support to teachers, fostering a positive learning environment. Streamlined administrative processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Summer Arts Program Administrative Director

UX Strategist at DIA Design Guild with over 10 years of experience in streamlining operations, optimizing content strategy, and developing sustainable programs.

taplio

The Battle

Julia DeBari

Caroline Craner

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