I’m Maria, a user researcher and designer (ex-Deloitte Digital/Doblin and ZS Associates), I bring a deep passion and wide toolkit of human-centered design methodologies. Over the last seven years having led and mentored many multi-disciplinary teams in designing sustainable, innovative products and solutions, I have become a tireless advocate for all things end-user and enhancing the overall user experience.
Additionally, I'm a proudly dual-certified death doula & educator impassioned to change the way we think about conscious and compassionate death care. My deeply rooted belief is that the more present we can be with death, the more present we can be in life.
And lastly, I have a passion for yoga, traveling, podcasts, and green tea.
Currently reading:
The Undying: Pain, vulnerability, mortality, medicine, art, time, dreams, data, exhaustion, cancer, and care | Anne Boyer
Currently listening:
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of the Trauma | Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Just finished:
Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Life | Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones | James Clear
Photo copyright Stephanie Cowan | NYC 2019
Sometimes it’s hard to talk about ourselves…here are some words that my friends (+ my therapist) have used to describe me:
Empathetic // Self-aware // Nurturing // Caretaking // Altruistuc
Also, here’s a very long video of what my friends say about me…