Hello, I'm Dan.
I'm currently working on design vision and strategy @ Workiva
For over a decade, I’ve been designing for enterprise and consumer products. My experience has spanned software, hardware, and services where I've worked to align design vision with business strategy — solving real-world challenges that create impact by putting people first.
About Me.
I've always had a passion for figuring out how things work, why things work, and how I can make them work better. This genuine curiosity is what drove me into the world of UX and design. I'm always working to find a balance between the creative and calculated in design.
In my spare time I advise small businesses and startups from around the country on branding, UX/UI design and product development through my design lab create.it designs.
I currently reside in Boston, MA with my wife, Leah, and two dogs, Ziggy and Bubba . When I’m not glued to my Mac, you'll likely find me drinking an iced oat milk latte, working in the yard, or making something with my hands...the Lego box says 12+.
Upon joining Workiva, Dan exemplified what design leadership should look like. He introduced a style of leadership that influences business decisions and inspires teams to work towards the same goal. Dan is the complete package as a mentor, partner, and supporter. He is considerate in his approach and knows how to involve people in the journey to achieve a goal. It's clear why people see Dan as an acting Director of UX. His expertise in proposing and delivering a strong experience as a strategy is highly regarded. His influence and guidance extend across multiple areas and teams within the organization. There are few people who can deliver business value and highly satisfying user experiences as effectively as Dan can orchestrate across the UX department.
Alex Kim - Sr. UX Manager, Workiva
If you’ve made it this far you’re probably wondering, "Why is the cursor a little rhino?" Well, aside from the fact that I’m pretty proud of figuring that out, my nickname has been "Rhino" for as long as I can remember.
Rhinos are known for keeping their cool under pressure. They move with confidence, handle challenges head-on, and stay grounded no matter what comes their way. Plus, they're great at trusting their instincts, which is exactly how I approach design. I think strategically, view constraints as opportunities, and create with confidence.
Oh, and yes, I’ve even got a rhino tattoo on my arm. My mom thinks it’s cool, so you know it’s legit.
Past Experience.
Working on long term design strategy and tactical needs for Workiva’s assured integrated reporting platform. Primarily focused on Workiva’s Governance, Risk, & Compliance (GRC) suite of products and platform initiatives around Ai and connected experiences. Collaborate closely with executive leadership around future product vision.
Member of the UX leadership team working on team process improvements and culture initiatives. Mentor designers across the team on career growth and hard & soft skills.Scaled and managed the UX design team. Managed the daily design needs for SimpliSafe's native mobile (iOS / Android) and web apps. Worked closely with the Product and Engineering teams to create, prioritize, and execute design strategy for SimpliSafe’s hardware and digital products.
Worked to define and scale design systems and process for R&D.Worked at the intersection of hardware and software leading strategic and executional design efforts across Toast’s payment, platform and hardware teams. Helped scale the design team from 4 to 50+ and led large initiatives including the hardware UX for Toast's first EMV and NFC credit card readers, payment processing, guest facing display, offline mode, and multiple internal dev tools.
Mentored junior designers and worked on initiatives that helped scale design at Toast.Worked as the Lead Product Designer for MTC Labs, an interactive and technology solutions agency located in Boston, MA. I worked hands on with a number of clients, in healthcare, e-learning and commerce, to design responsive websites, web applications, and mobile applications (specifically iOS).
As a design leader.
I believe that leadership is about actions, not just words—which is why I lead through craft. By demonstrating the value of thoughtful, user-centered design, I help teams build confidence in their abilities and approach challenges with clarity.
Every designer is unique, and helping them grow requires flexibility and a tailored approach. My philosophy? Designer first, coach second, and manager only when necessary (looking at you Workday!).
I'm passionate about ensuring design has a strong voice at the table, and I actively advocate for cross-functional collaboration. By coaching product and engineering teams on the principles of design thinking, we create an environment where user-centered decision-making, grounded in research and real feedback, thrives. Together, we can deliver impactful solutions that balance user needs with business goals.
You've reached the end and are being rewarded with dog pics! Ziggy the lab (10 years) and Bubba the pit (4 years).