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My
Resume:

MY WORK
EXPERIENCE:

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RM brings over 15 years of professional experience in Corporate America as an innovation manager, consultant, and design thinking coach. She founded and runs her own startup, Design Squiggle, providing business modeling and strategic consulting for MSMEs and early-stage startups. In addition, she has served as a design coach for academic institutions, guiding students and early-stage entrepreneurs in applying business design thinking to create meaningful impact. She is currently developing her social enterprise, School of Empathy.D.

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SCHOOL OF EMPATHY.D

Founder | Not-for-profit (April 2022 – Current)

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  • Authoring an illustrated five-part book series that explains the 5W1H of design for non-designers, aimed at democratizing design.

  • Researched and documented 200+ types of design globally, with 148 illustrated for future book publication.

  • Created signature characters and illustrations to build a unique brand identity for SOE.D.

  • Newest addition: Vitamin-C Designer Series – 300 illustrated cards highlighting commonsensical essentials for designers.

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USER RESEARCH PROJECTS, Bentley University

Graduate Student (September 2024 – December 2025)

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  • Ripple: (Fall’24) Improved IA and navigation via HTA, heuristics, and usability testing with crypto experts; led to new ‘Payout Network’ section.

  • Bentley Library: (Fall’24) Proposed experiential DEI-focused design after mood boards, prototyping, and stakeholder mapping; inspired a new committee and women’s history exhibit.

  • More Than Words: (Spring’25) Assessed and optimized website navigation using card sorting, tree testing, and structural analysis.

  • Bentley University Police Department: (Spring’25) Used ethnography and interviews to recommend strategies for community engagement and trust-building.

  • KKBE (Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim): (Summer’25) Conducted expert evaluation, heuristic analysis, usability testing for improving site navigation and accessibility for this religious institution.

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USER EXPERIENCE CENTER, Bentley University

Research Assistant (September 2024 – August 2025)

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  • Contributed to data analysis, documentation, and report creation for large-scale assessment research involving 300+ participants.

  • Conducted behavioral research, interviews, and focus groups, including pre-workshop data analysis and sentiment/theme synthesis for senior leadership workshops.

  • Delivered research-based guidelines, policies, and organizational recommendations, with feedback mechanisms and champion networks to enhance employee experience, accessibility, and inclusion.

  • Designed and executed usability testing, prototype creation, and validation to guide product and service decisions.

  • Prepared moderator guides, standardized documentation, and client-ready reports for executive audiences.

  • Supported branding strategy, training evaluation, lab setup, and global research lab initiatives, including lab pre-testing, yearly lab cleanup, and equipment inventory tagging.

  • Contributed to extracurricular and community-focused initiatives, such as decorating research spaces and cafés, managing the UX library, and generating branding materials for posters, videos, photos, and marketing campaigns.

  • Attended accessibility conferences and interviewed industry experts to integrate emerging best practices into client recommendations.

  • Conducted market research, participant recruitment/coordination, and stakeholder interviews across senior and cross-functional levels.

Industries: MedTech (FDA approvals for devices), Financial Services, Insurance, Education, Luxury Retail, Utilities, Social Media, and FinTech.

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DESIGN SQUIGGLE

Founder | Startup Design Coach & Consultant (Sept 2017 – Present)

 

  • Partnered with 20+ incubators & universities, coaching 7,000+ students in design-led innovation.

  • Developed and monitored innovation frameworks, including the Managed Innovation Index.

  • Visiting Professor (Design Thinking) with customized curricula and signature coaching methods.

  • Advised 4 early-stage startups (FinTech, InsurTech, AgriTech, Retail) on strategy, business models, and design.

  • Created startup curriculum for EdTech and designed supporting print projects.

  • Frequent speaker, coach, and jury member at 100+ events and conferences (IIT, AICTE, CII, TiE Chennai, ISACA, CWE).

  • Facilitated faculty development programs, training educators to embed design thinking in pedagogy.

  • Designed and delivered signature workshops: Ecopreneur, 8-hour Startup MBA, Kidpreneur, and DIVE.

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COGNIZANT

Managed Innovation Consultant | Design Thinking & Business Model Coach (2009–2017)

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  • Led innovation for major business units in retail, consumer goods, and travel & hospitality.

  • Spearheaded corporate innovation programs for CIO, CFO, and CSR offices.

  • Designed and facilitated leadership workshops at the strategic level for senior leaders of a leading American retail client.

  • Developed and scaled innovation programs: Design Thinking Origami (trained 700+ associates) and Innovation Igniter.

  • Facilitated high-impact workshops & bootcamps: Design Jams, Hackathons, and customized innovation sessions.

  • Directed branding & engagement for 5 editions of the Innovation Summit and roadshows across China, the UK, and the US.

  • Created flagship initiatives: First Penguin Club, Innovation Journals, and Innovation Cards.

  • Launched and scaled Launchpad Jams, running in 10 locations across India, coaching 600+ intrapreneurs to secure $800K in funding. 

  • Developed and monitored innovation frameworks, including the Managed Innovation Index.

MY pro-bono
EXPERIENCE:

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  • President, UXGA (Fall 2025): Leading signature initiatives, organizing stall tabling during student orientation, and overseeing volunteer programs (Portfolio Review Nights, Prototyping for the Planet – Designathon in partnership with UXPA Boston, Climate Designers Boston, IxDF Boston).

  • Teaching Assistant, Pre-College Program – “Pathways for Women in Business”: Supported high school seniors and rising seniors as chaperone, technical assistant, and advisor; guided idea development, provided career counsel, and delivered a lecture on design thinking.

  • Mentor & Sponsor, LaunchX 2025 Youth Entrepreneurship Program: Served as guest speaker, team coach, and provided a $1,000 sponsorship to support student entrepreneurship initiatives.

  • Global Mentor, ADPList.org: Delivered 2,238 minutes of mentorship across 78 sessions in 7 countries, guiding students and early-stage entrepreneurs on design, innovation, and career development.

  • Buddy Mentor, HFID Program: Supported current and incoming master’s students, actively participating in panel discussions and student engagement events.

  • Board Member, Bentley Entrepreneurship Society: Co-led content and branding for events and campaigns, including social media, certificates, posters, and successfully completed Falcon’s Nest MasterClasses 2025.

  • Sustainability & Social Responsibility: Advocated and volunteered in tree planting, animal care, rescuing excess food, and other environmental initiatives.

  • DEI & Empowerment: Supported women’s empowerment and gender equality programs, organized sessions, partnerships, and guest talks at Cognizant and academic programs.

  • Design Education: Delivered entrepreneurship, business modeling, design thinking, and storytelling workshops; collaborated with Cognizant HR to teach Chinese exchange students.

  • Next-Gen Leadership: Hand-picked for next-generation leadership training by Cognizant’s expert mentor network.

  • Professional Representation: Represented organizations at conferences, exhibitions, and roadshows, promoting learning and professional engagement globally.

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