Whether shaping tangible products or sparking critical conversation about our collective tomorrow, meaningful design begins with a commitment to People, Planet, and the Future. As an Assistant Professor of Practice, my focus is bridging the gap between critical classroom thinking and real-world execution, preparing industrial design students to navigate the full spectrum of design. I empower students to confidently execute their work with research-backed insights whether they are crafting speculative, discussion-provoking concepts or delivering manufacturable design intent.

My academic approach is deeply informed by hands-on industry leadership. Before coming to academia, I spent years driving end-to-end product design across diverse consumer categories. At RYOBI Powertools, I served as Industrial Design Manager for the vacuum and cleaning division, overseeing high-volume product lines generating nearly $20M in annual sales while directing design intent within cross-functional teams. My background also spans the fast-paced housewares industry with Tovolo, where I developed private label and in-house goods for major brands including Williams-Sonoma, Vitamix, Macy's, and Nespresso. As part of a very small team, this experience encompassed all aspects of the design and engineering process, allowing me to take products from concept sketching through rigorous prototyping and final production.

Today, I bring that multi-disciplinary experience directly into the studio to foster mentorship, professional growth, and industry collaboration. In my role as Director of Career Support for Industrial Design at Virginia Tech, I integrate real-world career preparation directly into our curriculum. By managing student peer mentors and creating opportunities for self-reflection, agency, and job-readiness, I aim to equip the next generation of designers with the skills, resilience, and practical insight needed to thrive in professional practice.