Stepheni M.

About

I've spent fifteen years in product design — IC through Director, mostly in enterprise, where I owned design systems and built teams. I'm currently co-founder and CPO at an AI health startup, which means I'm back in the messy early part again after years of the structured part. Both have been useful. Most of what I've learned came from the stretches that didn't go smoothly: the role that wasn't what it looked like, the burnout, the rebuilds. I coach alongside my design work, and I've found the hardest career questions are usually not skills questions. In a session I'll ask more than I answer at first — I want to understand what you're actually solving for, which is often one layer under the question you brought. Then I'll be direct. I'd rather give you something honest and specific than something encouraging and vague, and I'll tell you when I don't know. You don't need a polished question to book. "Something's off and I can't name it" is a fine place to start.

How I can help

I help mentees throughout their product design or UX journey. Having been a hiring manager and AI early adopter, I can support and guide designers at all levels in career planning, advancement, and AI integration into design roles. Specifically, I can support the following: rebuilding after a layoff, moving from IC to leadership, integrating AI into your design workflows effectively, upleveling your design portfolio, career pivots, how to stand out to a hiring manager, and much more.

Ask me about

Expertise

Selected work

Inclusive Rebrand and Design System

Maia Women's Health App

MomNom Meal Planning App

Spark Design System

Group sessions Stepheni is hosting

• Wed, Sep 30 · 4 PM

  Ask me anything: Ask a Hiring Manager

  10 seats left · Free for members