I'm a design and innovation leader with a track record of transforming complex organizations and shipping high-impact experiences.
Currently I’m the Sr. Director of Product Design and Research at RVO Health, a United Health Group joint venture. I lead a multi-disciplinary team responsible for enhancing the health outcomes of over 100 million users first for Healthline.com and now for Healthgrades.com.
Previously I was Head of Innovation for Cisco AppDynamics and Product Design Manager for the NFL.
Organizational Leadership
Proven track record building, scaling, and leading multidisciplinary design and research teams that deliver measurable business impact across a range of business sizes.
Innovation & Product Strategy
Experienced in driving 0–1 incubation, portfolio innovation programs, and IP generation that align with long-term product and business goals.
UCD & Research Leadership
Skilled at embedding UCD practices, operationalizing research, and leveraging evidence-based insights to inspire lasting vision and shape product roadmaps.
AI-Driven Design
Early adopter of AI to accelerate research, optimize workflows, and design AI-native product experiences.
Design Systems & Operations
Expert in governing design systems that enable consistency, efficiency, and quality across large product portfolios.
Talent & Culture Development
Creator of skills frameworks, mentorship programs, and change initiatives that elevate craft and unify complex orgs.
Philosophy
Design is a Movement
Design teams must be a source of energy and inspiration. We create a source of gravity that gathers collaborators to bring ideas to life.
Show the Future
Our role is to make the future visible. We turn vision into tangible direction through design, prototyping, and experimentation.
Design with Evidence
We ground decisions in data and ruthlessly test ideas. Outcomes guide our path forward.
Kind Words
“...He understands how to not only remove friction and create success for his users, but do it while driving business outcomes. His ability to align stakeholders and move work forward, while diving deep into the design process is impressive, and it inspires those around him to dig deeper.”
JEREMY MILBOURNE-CLARKE, UX Design Manager, Amazon
“Motherfucker draws like Frank Miller.”
KOBE BRYANT, Hall of Famer, Los Angeles Lakers
“Stephen sets a gold standard for leaders… during my time under Stephen's direction I got to witness first-hand what leadership quality actually is, to me: a force that drives unity; includes all voices; improves the quality not only of the work, but all the talent the work depends on.”
DILLON RAWLINGS, Director of User Research, Factworks
“Stephen lent new meaning to the word ‘multi-tasking,’ taking the lead on all operational activities, business development, client interaction, scheduling, team mentoring, and progress reporting. In spite of tremendous pressure, Stephen always maintained his composure and projected a positive, confidence-inspiring demeanor. He put clients at ease and earned their confidence, so much so that they only wanted to deal with him. The efforts of Stephen and his team culminated in a long-term agreement with a major OEM, fundamentally changing the upward trajectory of the company.”
VINCENT NELSON, Former EVP, Kelley Blue Book