Stephen is an entrepreneur and digital product leader, passionate about exceptional, innovative products. His experience ranges from scaling startups to launching new products with Amazon, AT&T, Disney, Microsoft, and Symantec. He speaks about innovation and collaboration around the world from La Product Conf to SxSW, expounding on how strong leadership, hiring, culture, and customer obsession are the foundation for successful product outcomes.
Over the past 19 years, he provided product design and strtrategy for brands such as Amazon, AT&T, Bandai Namco Games, Capital One, Disney, Microsoft, Oberto, and Symantec. He founded three companies, including Smoov, a UX Design boutique providing consulting services for web, mobile, and gaming platforms.
Outside of the office, you might find him traveling, taking photos, or directing short films. His travel photography is featured worldwide and sold commercially over the years through retailers such as Urban Outfitters and Woot.com.
Experience
Founder at Innovat
2020 Tallinn, Estonia
Advising founders and startups on finding product-market fit, growth, and building a product-led culture. Experimenting by night with new ideas, including the Product Strategy blog.
Head of Product & Design at Freeletics
2017 – 2020 München, Germany
Led a team of PMs, product designers, content strategists, researchers, and design technologists tackling behaviour change, gamification, and scaling to over 40M users worldwide.
Head of Global Experience Design at Amazon
2016 – 2017 Seattle, WA
Directed digital human-centered design and research for international retail expansion. Launched Prime Now Singapore, Amazon Australia, and over twenty global features.
Product Design Manager at Capital One
2014 – 2016 Seattle, WA
Design leadership for Seattle office.
Founder & Director of User Experience at Smoov
2003 – 2014 Seattle, WA
Founded boutique agency. Directed design, research, and development for websites and web applications, console video games, and mobile apps. Provided user experience design and research for 2Advanced, AT&T, Disney, Namco/Bandai, Symantec, and more.
Awards
Launched the Ultimate Guide to Product Strategy, Innovat Labs
Launched the Product Strategy newsletter, Innovat Labs
Best in Industry Portfolio Builder, StockBrokers.com
CapitalOne.com
Best Business Site and Mobile Experience, American Business Awards
CapitalOne.com
Site of the Day, CSS Site Awards
Aethelyon.com
Exhibitions
6 Things Your Growth Strategy Says About You and Your Company Speaker
Product-led Alliance Virtual
Managing Innovation Speaker
La Product Conf Madrid, Spain
Design DNA Speaker
Designit München, Germany
Why Your Design Sprints Always End In Tears Panel
SxSW Austin, TX