About Me

I'm a Certified Professional in Web Accessibility (CPWA), specializing in creating accessible and user-friendly websites. As a web designer and front-end developer, I'm dedicated to crafting digital experiences that are inclusive and meet the highest standards of accessibility.

I've been working in the design industry my entire career. I started as a print designer for a small design firm and quickly realized I needed to switch gears because the industry was shifting. I took it upon myself to learn web design, HTML, and CSS. I accepted a position as a web designer at TaxACT, where I combined these skills with marketing, usability testing, and SEO. 

After several years at TaxACT, I became a web designer at Geonetric, designing and developing websites for hospitals and healthcare systems. Through developing responsive templates for Geonetric's proprietary Content Management System (CMS) and WordPress themes, my design and coding skills continued to grow. I collaborated in an Agile environment with clients and internal cross-functional teams of project managers, designers, writers, content strategists, and front and back-end developers. I led design workshops, creative discussions, and presentations throughout the design and development of projects. I became a subject matter expert and shared my knowledge via blog posts, webinars, and presentations at Geonetric's Symposium. As a team lead, I mentored talented junior designers and helped them develop their skills in building end-to-end user experiences.

In 2019, the US Supreme Court ruled that just like a physical building, a company’s website must be accessible to the public as part of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accessibility was on my radar before this ruling. Still, I realized I did not have enough knowledge to design and build sites that complied with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), so again, I took it upon myself to gain these skills. In 2019, I received my CPCAA (Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies) from IAAP (International Association of Accessibility Professionals). In 2020, I passed my WAS (Web Accessibility Specialist) exam and gained the credentials of CPWA (Certified Professional in Web Accessibility). I became an advocate for accessibility at Geonetric, pushing for improvements in our products and client sites.

Two years ago, I transitioned from hands-on creation to empowering others as a consultant. I became an Accessibility Consultant at Level Access, an industry-leading accessibility company. While at Level Access, I manually tested websites, iOS and Android apps, and desktop software for accessibility issues. I also consulted with clients, answering their technical questions on how to improve accessibility across their platforms. I worked with a talented, brilliant group of professionals to further grow my accessibility knowledge and improve my design and coding skills. 

In September 2024, my full-time position as an Accessibility Consultant was eliminated due to organizational changes, and for the first time in my life, I found myself unemployed. It’s terrifying but also exciting because I have a chance to do something new. While I love accessibility, and my experience as a consultant and accessibility tester has made me a better designer, I am happiest when I create and build things. I aim to get back to hands-on designing and building websites and experiences for an organization where I can utilize my knowledge and skills and continue to grow.

If you're looking for a designer who can transform complex concepts into simple, human-friendly solutions, let's connect! Together, we can make your digital assets more accessible, user-friendly, and inclusive.