Hi, I’m Sierra! A a mission-driven & data-driven UX Researcher.
Before I ever ran a usability test or analyzed a survey, my professional life was dedicated to one thing: understanding people in the context of their world. My career began not in tech, but in psychology—working as a behavioral technician with children on the autism spectrum and interning at a substance abuse counseling center. These roles trained me to be a professional observer, requiring deep empathy, rigorous data collection, and the ability to find the unstated need in the unspoken signal.
I bring that same foundational, human-centered approach to my work in UX Research. Transitioning from the non-profit sector into the tech world, I’ve built a mixed-methods toolkit across SaaS, education, B2C, and B2B products while working at fast-paced startups like Drift and Feedback Loop. My work is about bridging the gap between user behavior and business strategy, ensuring that the products we build are not just usable, but truly valuable.
What truly sets me apart, however, is my personal connection to mental health. As a counseling intern, I co-facilitated group therapy sessions for clients struggling with substance abuse and personality disorders. Witnessing firsthand the profound challenges these individuals faced has left an indelible mark on me. Outside of my counseling internship, I have served as an advocate at non-profits that support sexual assault survivors, holding consent education workshops, sharing my story, and advocating for change on Capitol Hill. I am deeply committed to using my research expertise to improve the mental healthcare experiences of those in need.
In addition to my work as a researcher, I was a leader on the first-gen ERG at Drift, which provided a supportive space for first-gen immigrants and first-gen college graduates. While at Chegg, I led the invisible disabilities ERG, hosting workshops that focused on mental health. This experience has given me a keen understanding of the unique needs and perspectives of underrepresented communities.
My expertise lies in translating complex user needs into actionable product strategy. I am comfortable and passionate about the entire research lifecycle, from initial discovery to final validation. My work often involves building research practices from the ground up, answering ambiguous strategic questions, de-risking new product launches, diagnosing and fixing critical usability issues, and leveraging large-scale quantitative data.
Ultimately, I believe that the most successful products are built on a foundation of genuine understanding. My goal is to be the voice of the user in the room, ensuring that empathy and evidence drive every decision.
When I'm not working, you can find me cleaning up our local beaches, hiking a new trail, trying out a new recipe, practicing yoga, or relaxing with a wonderfully bad scary movie.