Hi, I’m Sharlene.
As a design director and innovation strategist, I combine human-centered design with strategic foresight to shape value, accelerate growth, and guide transformation.
As an Innovation Executive on Salesforce’s Ignite team, I led strategists, designers, and researchers in delivering digital transformation for clients such as Bank of America, State Street, and Robinhood, driving new revenue, operational improvements, and ACV growth through change management and enablement strategies.
At Morningstar, I was a design lead for both Morningstar.com (the flagship website and platform for individual investors) and Managed Portfolios (a turnkey investment platform for financial advisors). I mentored designers, researchers, and interns while collaborating with stakeholders to deliver timely redesigns that improved usability, increased subscriptions, and empowered investors.
My volunteering includes a tenure as the VP of Partnerships and Director of Programming for AIGA Chicago.
I enjoy speaking about the future of design, the broader impact of design and technology, and the importance of accessibility in design.
Two truths and a lie: I was attacked by a baby sloth. My corgi is a champion athlete. I once completed the NYT mini-crossword in 18 seconds.
Past Roles
2012-2013
Senior Art Director, Acquity Group
Led creative direction for global brands to strengthen market presence and deliver measurable business results. Collaborated closely with client executives to connect design strategy with business goals and customer engagement.
Key highlights:
Drove $10M in new business through strategic pitch direction and storytelling.
Increased brand awareness through integrated creative campaigns.
Streamlined creative review cycles by 12%, improving delivery speed and quality.
2010-2012
Lead Digital Designer, GA Communication (Merge World)
Led omnichannel strategy and creative direction across major healthcare and pharma brands. Partnered with commercial, medical, and marketing teams to translate insights into engagement programs, sales enablement tools, and HCP education that drove measurable growth across channels.
Key Highlights
Led omnichannel strategy turning insights into segmentation, journeys, and channel plans
Built scalable sales and HCP engagement tools
Directed integrated web, app, email, and social programs
Delivered HCP education campaigns
2005-2010
Freelancer
Select Clients:
A5 Group, Agency MSI, Chicago Creative Partnership, Diet Strychnine, Gyro Chicago, Hartford Design, Hoffman York, Kaplan Financial, Manifest Digital, Leo Burnett, Segura Inc.
2005
Font Technician, T26 Type Foundry
Supported type designers in producing and refining digital fonts for commercial release. Assisted with character set development, technical cleanup, and quality assurance across multiple formats to ensure consistent rendering and performance. Collaborated on testing, spacing, and kerning refinements to maintain the foundry’s design standards.
Community & Volunteering
Design Museum of Chicago
Auxiliary Board Member, 2024-2025
My Block My Hood My City
Volunteer 2019-2025
iMentor
Volunteer Mentor 2018-2020
AIGA Chicago
National in-house committee, 2016 - 2017
Vice President of Parternships, 2015 - 2016
Programming Director, 2014 - 2015
Mentor, 2012 - 2017
Girls Do Hack, Adler Planetarium
Lab leader, speaker, volunteer 2013-2015
Hacking Health, Toronto
Volunteer designer, 2012
School of The Art Institute of Chicago
Student Union Galleries
Communications Director, 2005
I'm committed to shaping the future I believe in and giving back to the community. I have a passion for education. Partnering with design organizations and Chicago Public Schools, I’ve helped create design programs for high schoolers. I’ve worked as a mentor offering guidance to high schoolers looking towards college. I helped to strengthen STEM education for young women through the Adler Planetarium.
Giving back is a powerful way to drive meaningful change and is a source of profound joy and satisfaction. I believe in the city of Chicago and also spend my time helping to beautify it, make it safer, and join communities.