20+ years shaping enterprise SaaS and consumer platforms. I build the teams, systems, and strategy that turn complex problems into human-centred experiences — and measurable business results.
"The best design leaders don't just ship products — they build the conditions for teams to do their best thinking."
Pooja Kudesia — Design Philosophy
I create alignment before I create deliverables. By translating ambiguous briefs into clear OKRs and communicating design rationale in business language, I earn stakeholder trust and protect design's seat at the table.
I use research, systems thinking, and rapid experimentation to navigate ambiguity — translating complex technical requirements into executable experience roadmaps that drive adoption, retention, and growth.
I hire intentionally, coach continuously, and set standards that travel. I've scaled design functions from 2 to 20+, established craft principles, and created psychologically safe environments where ownership is the norm.
Led end-to-end UX strategy for a loyalty automation platform — from stakeholder discovery through cross-functional delivery. Defined the experience framework that scaled loyalty logic across enterprise accounts.
Guided a cross-functional, globally distributed team to redesign a critical jackpot processing system. Led the UX strategy that modernised legacy workflows and reduced processing time by 40% — directly impacting operational cost.
Pioneered the UX vision for a mobile experience that unlocked an entirely new revenue channel for Aristocrat's casino partners. This work resulted in a patent — reflecting both the novelty of the interaction model and the strategic depth of the design thinking that drove it.
Led UX across JackpotFill, PlayerMax, and loyalty platforms. Built and scaled a distributed design team, instituted design system governance, and partnered with C-suite to embed design into product strategy.
Drove experience strategy for complex enterprise workflows. Established research operations, mentored junior designers, and built cross-functional relationships with PMs and engineering leadership.
Foundation years: mastered the craft across consumer mobile and web products. Grew from individual contributor to leading design workstreams and advocating for user-centred approaches at the product level.
Great design leadership isn't about being the best designer in the room — it's about building the environment where the best design can happen.
I never let assumptions substitute for evidence. Every major design decision I make is grounded in user research, data triangulation, and stakeholder interviews — keeping us honest when opinions diverge.
I design for scale. Rather than solving one screen at a time, I architect modular systems — design languages, component libraries, governance models — that compound in value over time.
I speak the language of the boardroom and the user in the same breath. Understanding revenue models, conversion funnels, and OKRs makes my design rationale impossible to dismiss.
The best design work I've seen comes from teams that feel safe to challenge briefs, take creative risks, and bring their whole perspective. I actively build that culture — through how I give feedback, run critiques, and handle ambiguity.
"Pooja has a rare ability to hold the strategic vision and the interaction detail simultaneously — she never loses sight of either, and that's what makes her design decisions so dependable."
"She transformed how our team approached design reviews — less about opinions, more about principles. Three years later, the standards she set are still shaping how we work."
"Pooja consistently bridges the gap between what stakeholders ask for and what users actually need — with data, not just persuasion. It's a skill I've rarely seen at that level."
I'm exploring opportunities at the Design Director, UX Director, and Head of UX level — where I can shape product strategy, grow design culture, and deliver measurable impact at scale.