MARIA DI PAOLO

RESEARCH + INNOVaTION LEAD / Human-Centered Design

EXPERIENCE

CONSULTANT | BROOKLYN, NY | AUG 2017 - PRESENT
BRAND IDENTITY/DESIGN, EXPERIENCE DESIGN, DESIGN STRATEGY
I work hand-in-hand with solopreneurs + early startups, distilling complexity into clarity and shaping brands that don’t just exist, but thrive.

Brands are more than just visuals—they are living, breathing entities with a story to tell. Through a blend of research, design, and strategic thinking, I help surface the essence of a brand and translate it into a compelling identity. From logos to language, every element is crafted to resonate deeply and authentically.

Some of my previous clients:

Google, Microsoft, Citi Ventures, Pfizer, AbbVie, Merck, Takeda, Alcon, Teva Pharmaceuticals, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, New York City Campaign Finance Board, Brooklyn Public Library, Parsons School of Design, Tenement Museum

Industries I know a little somethin’ about:

Startup, Healthcare, Pharma/MedTech, Mental Health (Therapy, Coaching), End-of-life/Death Care, Tech/AI, Nonprofit, Government, Elections/Voting, Retail, Higher Education, Food + Beverage (F&B), CPG, Finance, CRM, Construction

NOW WHAT | BROOKLYN, NY | AUG 2024 - MAR 2025
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF HEALTHCARE
For our global healthcare clients, I led projects in addressing complex, forward-looking questions. Harnessing human-centered insights and strategic foresight, I bridged the gap between innovative, big-picture thinking and actionable strategies, ensuring our clients remain closely aligned with their most important stakeholders—patients and physicians.

DELOITTE DIGITAL | DOBLIN | NEW YORK, NY | FEB 2022 - MAY 2023
SENIOR CONSULTANT, APPLIED DESIGN & INNOVATION
Through extensive design research and human-centered design methodologies, I led teams to surface deep user insights and develop innovative, need-based solutions for our clients, primarily in healthcare, finance, and tech.

ZS ASSOCIATES | NEW YORK, NY | OCT 2020 - JAN 2022
EXPERIENCE DESIGNER / HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN
Utilizing human-centered design methodologies, led design teams in developing breakthrough products and innovative services alongside large-scale healthcare, pharma, and tech clients.

UC SANTA BARBARA | SB, CA | NOV 2014 - JUN 2017
FINANCIAL COORDINATOR + PROGRAM ASSISTANT

SKILLS

TOOLS

FIGMA / SKETCH
MURAL / MIRO
USERINTERVIEWS
QUALTRICS
ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE
DOVETAIL
AIRTABLE
TRELLO / JIRA
INVISION
LOOKBACK
MS SUITE 
EXCEL/PPT

RESEARCH/DESIGN

HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN
QUAL / QUANT
UX / UI
SYSTEMS THINKING
SERVICE DESIGN
WORKSHOP DEV + FACILITATION
JOURNEY MAPPING
DIARY STUDIES
USABILITY / CONCEPT TESTING
CONTENT STRATEGY
PROJECT/PRODUCT MGMT

MISC

SPANISH, BUSINESS PROFICIENT

AWARDS

BUSINESS DESIGN CHALLENGE WINNER 2019
UNIV OF TORONTO, ROTMAN SCHOOL OF MGMT
With the sponsor Kingspan’s question about their future relevance and digital innovation (as a building insulation organization), our team designed and pitched the chosen business innovation solution.

LICENSES/CERTS

DEATH DOULA, CENTER FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING AND DYING
REGISTERED YOGA INSTRUCTOR, COREPOWER YOGA

EDUCATION

PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN
MS, STRATEGIC DESIGN + MANAGEMENT

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
BA, COMMUNICATION | MINOR SPANISH

CONTACT

linkedin.com/in/mariadip
mariaddipaolo@gmail.com
BROOKLYN, NY