Mari Garcia

hi@marigarcia-ux.com |Linkedin | New York, NY

Strategic Senior UX Designer with over four years of experience in user experience (UX) design, leading initiatives for diverse audiences in financial services and wealth management. Expert in developing comprehensive user journeys, wireframes, prototypes, and design systems to create innovative, effective, and accessible solutions (WCAG 2.2 & 3). Proven ability to enhance user engagement, improve task completion, and reduce support inquiries through iterative user research, usability testing, and data-driven design. Seeking to apply expertise in collaborative environments to a forward-thinking team.

Senior UX Designer | MassMutual

August 2020 - Present

At MassMutual (a Springfield-based, $312 billion Insurance/FinService corporation), I’ve had the pleasure of designing enterprise tools for power users: insurance agents, and DTC customers. Trained in Agile methodologies, I am embedded within engineering squads, cross-functioned with researchers, and content designers, and presented design solutions that balance business and user needs.

  • Collaborated cross-functionally with user research, product management, and engineering teams to build and launch full-scale UX solutions and product features for end-users, aligning with agile methodologies

  • Optimized information architecture and user flows on enterprise websites, significantly enhancing user navigation, user engagement, and achieving seamless customer journeys

  • Partnered closely with the Product and Engineering teams to define the problem space and create designs

  • Ensured design compliance with corporate design systems and WCAG 2.2 & 3 accessibility standards, promoting inclusive design principles

  • Led the design of innovative B2B, B2C, and enterprise products, enhancing user experiences with a focus on the financial professional and wealth management, based on validation through user testing and post-launch monitoring

  • Improved user task completion rates by 82% on Project Orbit through iterative user research, prototyping, and Usability testing, leading to a more intuitive user experience.

  • Reduced customer support inquiries by 76% related to Orbit by redesigning the FINRA section, directly impacting operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

  • Contributed to a 83% increase in visits to a Portal by optimizing key user flows and information architecture across Institutional Solutions.

  • Led the redesign of Wealth Management dashboard used by over 30,000 customers, resulting in a measurable improvement in user engagement, and satisfaction scores.

  • Successfully delivered 7 major product features within aggressive deadlines, consistently meeting or exceeding UX quality standards and stakeholder expectations.

  • Translated complex financial concepts, FINRA and Personal Sales Record, into intuitive user interfaces, contributing to a reported 89% improvement in user understanding and confidence during employment onboarding.

  • Collaborated with product management and engineering to launch Compass ahead of schedule, achieving 57% higher initial adoption.

  • Conducted usability testing with an average of 5 users per project, identifying and addressing at least 20 critical usability issues, and validating design solutions with data.

  • Developed and iterated on design systems components, contributing to a 23% faster design implementation, leading to an increase of 71% consistent user experience across products.

UX Designer | Alert Feature

July 2021 - Nov 2021

Design a simple, intuitive, and personalizable alerts system that connects volunteers with available projects on DemocracyLab.

  • Develop a deep understanding of the pain points, needs, wants and behaviors of the user

  • Create user-centered designs by considering market analysis, data, feedback, user research and technical constraints/opportunities

  • Proactively identify gaps in the current digital experience and lead the effort to develop solutions for continuous improvement

  • Contributing to the identification of current product enhancements and new offerings including development of strategy, design, deliverables, and final products

UX Designer |  Website Redesign

February 2021 - July 2021

A website that needs to be redesigned for clean layout, streamlined layout, established hierarchy, with relevant information easy to find. 

  • Developed brand and logo

  • Conducted surveys and user research to validate 

  • Sketches, storyboards, and lo-fi wireframes 

  • Iteration of hi-fi wireframes based on user interviews 

UX Designer |  Connect Bus App

January 2021

A mobile app to provide real-time bus arrival information to its users.

  • Utilized user research to assess how riders wanted real-time bus arrival information displayed on the app

  • Fashioned user personas and user stories based on research findings 

  • Designed wireframes, mockups, and hi-fi prototypes based on user needs   

Previous Work Experience

Executive Assistant | ROKT

JANUARY  2020 - APRIL 2020

  • Served as a lead for and manager of small projects 

  • Submitted expenses via Expensify in a timely fashion 

  • Organized and oversaw offsite events

  • Coordinate internal and external meetings

  • Coordinated with Director and Senior Manager, People Ops     logistics for new hire orientations and employee trainings 

  • A member of Green team, Women who Rokt, and aligned with colleagues to start a Diversity and Inclusion group

Executive Assistant | UIPATH

JULY 2018 - AUGUST 2019

  • Heavy, complex calendar management 

  • Build cross-functional relationships with key partners in other departments

  • Organize offsite events.

  • Expense report management.

  • Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.

  • Contributed to smooth business operations by planning and organizing meetings and conferences, including conference calls.

  • Updated executives on changing business needs by thoroughly documenting internal and client meetings.

  • Allocated executive tasks and managed complex calendars and administrative functions.

  • Handled logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning.

Skills

Design: Expert in User Research, User Flows, User Journeys, Service Design, Information Architecture, Wireframing, Mockups, Prototyping, Usability Testing, A/B Testing, Design Systems, Design Thinking, Sprint Methodology, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Specification Development.

Accessibility: WCAG 2.2 & 3 Standards, Localization, Internationalization

Technical: HTML, CSS, Responsive Design, Developer Handoff.

Tools

Figma 

Framer

Adobe XD

Confluence

Sketch 

InVision 

Basic HTML/CSS

Soft Skills

Cross-functional Collaboration, Agile Methodologies, Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Problem-Solving, Communication, Leadership

Education

C.U.N.Y

B.S. International Business

Certificate

Agile Transformation inc