Sharp strategies

Actionable insights

Cross-disciplinary leadership

Hey – I’m KB.

Most of my career has been spent collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams in world-class news organizations to create pathways to a sustainable, inclusive, joyful future of news, entertainment and information.

I’m best at:

Creating audience-centric strategies that prioritize user needs and perspectives.
Increasing revenue, improving experiences and cementing industry leadership with innovative approaches across products, content, and branding.
Conducting deep user experience research and audience exploration to understand user interactions and expectations.
Utilizing design thinking and co-creation for effective problem-solving in collaborative environments.
Analyzing markets and trends for competitive analysis and strategic positioning of offerings.
Enhancing team creativity and collaboration through interactive methods & generative workshops.

Currently, I lead the product research and strategy team at The Washington Post, building a dynamic, audience-centered practice that integrates user research and experimentation into our organizational culture and promotes an audience-centric ethos.

Previously, at NPR, I drove UX strategy and design for mobile apps and emerging tech, leveraging my design thinking expertise to enhance product innovation and user experience across the public media network. My earlier role at LAist focused on fostering innovation and inclusivity in public media.

I am also a public speaker and mentor, dedicated to empowering women in media and tech and advancing sustainable, inclusive practices in the industry.

How I work

I have worked with legacy news organizations, public radio and TV stations, design agencies, and emerging tech startups. I most recently established and led a team of researchers and strategists, revolutionizing how top news editors and executives at The Washington Post think about their audiences.

At the heart of my practice is a commitment to fostering an environment where learning and transparency are prioritized. I consistently break down silos to encourage cross-disciplinary colleagues to engage deeply with audience needs and emerging trends. This not only cultivates a more inclusive environment, but also empowers teams to implement solutions that are both innovative and practical. I construct and implement processes that center rigorous user-centered research to help teams maintain a sharp focus on delivering compelling and effective user experiences that resonate across diverse audiences.

Check out some of my case studies, or read on to learn more about how I work.

Strategic foresight

I connect the dots across projects and teams to see the big picture, allowing me to anticipate future trends and opportunities effectively. This foresight is critical in shaping strategic directions and innovative outcomes.

Championing rapid iteration and design research

A staunch believer in rapid iteration, I train designers to prototype and test solutions quickly, using design research extensively to understand problems and foster creative collaboration.

Design and strategy leadership

Combining design expertise with strategic project management, I guide teams through successful project completions, aligning creative and strategic elements to meet our goals.

Dynamic writing & inclusive co-creation

I write extensively to articulate strategies and share user stories, building opportunities for co-creation with a focus on inclusive and participatory processes. This approach enriches our projects and drives engagement.

Calm during chaos

I excel at creating order from ambiguity and communicating complex ideas clearly, via designing systems, distilling insights, or organizing information. Accessible communication ensures all partners understand.

Versatile and unifying leadership

Recognized as a unifying force, I excel in collaborating and communicating effectively across all levels, from interns to CEOs. My leadership style motivates teams and fosters a cooperative environment.

“Consistent feedback from other departments: ‘KB is a treasure.’ ‘KB is speaking truths.’ … She has the rare ability to distill user needs into actionable product solutions.”

— WASHINGTON POST HEAD OF PRODUCT (2023)

Ethos

My professional compass is rooted in a deep commitment to empathy, inclusivity, and the fundamental belief that accessible, quality information is a human right. This guiding principle has shaped my journey from journalism to leading research and strategy initiatives at The Washington Post. Here, I focus on developing strategies that maximize audience connection through empathy and rigorous, evidence-based decision-making.

I prioritize making our content comprehensible and universally accessible, ensuring that our strategies and designs meet the needs of a diverse audience. With a background in designing digital products and a rich understanding of storytelling, I leverage user insights to foster an organizational culture of inclusivity and innovative thinking. This approach not only enhances our engagement but also drives transformative changes across the media landscape, reinforcing the importance of integrity and accessibility in information dissemination.

“(An) incredible, collaborative spirit.”

– WASHINGTON POST HEAD OF AUDIENCE (2024)

In my toolkit

UX research & product strategy

Design thinking & creative facilitation

Skills
Generative ideation and brainstorming | Co-creation | User journey mapping | Workshop creation & facilitation | Equitable hybrid experiences

Tools
Figjam, Miro, Mural

Team management & collaborative culture

Public speaking

↪️ Now open to proposals for future speaking opportunties – get in touch!

Speaker, 2024 Hackathon Kickoff
April 2024 | The Washington Post

Speaker, 2022 Hackathon Kickoff
July 2022 | The Washington Post

Speaker, “8 Steps To Build A Collaborative Research Practice”
April 2022 | IIEX North America

Panelist, Wireframe Podcast
March 2019 | On Air Fest

Webinar Host
2019 – 2020 | Public Media Women In Leadership

Speaker, "Talking Back To The Radio"
July 2018 | VOICE Summit

Speaker, "The Future of Digital Content Distribution"
June 2018 | PRNDI

Awards

Certification Recipient
Behavioral Economics Bootcamp
2022 | The Washington Post

UX Lead, “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” Alexa Quiz
Webby
2019 | NPR

Recipient
NPR Excellence and Innovation Award
2018 | NPR

Graduate
Emerging Leaders Cohort
June 2017 | American Public Media

Design Lead, “Officer Involved” series
Edward R. Murrow Award
2017 | LAist

Other honors

The Washington Post

Inaugural Research & Strategy Lead
Next Generation Team
Chair
Tech Mentorship Program
Committee Member
Compensation, Equity & Transparency Working Group

NPR

Design Lead
Public Radio Incubation Lab: Rotation 1, March – July 2019
Facilitator
Code Of Conduct Working Group
Mentor
(Tech) Public Speaking Mentorship Program
Volunteer
Anti-Harassment Working Group

Ambassador, Mentor
Public Media Women In Leadership

Founder
Public Media Potluck

Project Manager
Content Department Training Committee
2017 – 2018 | LAist

Designer
Come and Play: Audio Storytelling Hackathon
May 2017 | BuzzFeed and AudioSear.ch

Team Lead
SNDMakes – San Francisco
April 2016 | Society for News Design

Jury Member
Awwwards