Design Operations & Culture
What started as something therapeutic slowly grew into a passion—and today, Design Operations and Culture are areas where I find both solace and purpose. Even before my roles formally required it, I always found ways to weave operational discipline and cultural thinking into my work. In the last year, this has evolved into a core part of my practice and leadership.
Fractal Analytics • Dalberg Design • BRND Studio • Studio 5B • Quicksand Studio
Fractal Analytics • Dalberg Design • BRND Studio • Studio 5B • Quicksand Studio
Fractal Analytics • Dalberg Design • BRND Studio • Studio 5B • Quicksand Studio
Fractal Analytics
Role: Co-lead, Design Operations & Culture Lead, BxD Team (Behavior Science & Design)
At Fractal, I’ve been driving the design ops and culture charter for the BxD team. My work balances structure and creativity, ensuring that design not only thrives but scales meaningfully within the enterprise.
Key Contibutions
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment between individual goals and org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created a Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Facilitated APEX group workshops for,
Goal-setting
Vision & strategy
Conflict resolution
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment between individual goals and org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created a Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Facilitated APEX group workshops for,
Goal-setting
Vision & strategy
Conflict resolution
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment between individual goals and org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created a Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Facilitated APEX group workshops for,
Goal-setting
Vision & strategy
Conflict resolution
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment between individual goals and org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created a Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Facilitated APEX group workshops for,
Goal-setting
Vision & strategy
Conflict resolution
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment between individual goals and org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster 0nboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Facilitated APEX group workshops for,
Goal-setting
Vision & strategy
Conflict resolution
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment between individual goals and org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster 0nboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Facilitated APEX group workshops for,
Goal-setting
Vision & strategy
Conflict resolution
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment between individual goals and org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster 0nboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Facilitated APEX group workshops for,
Goal-setting
Vision & strategy
Conflict resolution
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment between individual goals and org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster 0nboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Facilitated APEX group workshops for,
Goal-setting
Vision & strategy
Conflict resolution
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment b/w indiv. goals & org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Built initiatives for Learning & Growth culture.
Defined the DesignOps charter for the BxD team (detailed further in Culture & Design Operations).
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment b/w indiv. goals & org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Built initiatives for Learning & Growth culture.
Defined the DesignOps charter for the BxD team (detailed further in Culture & Design Operations).
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment b/w indiv. goals & org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Built initiatives for Learning & Growth culture.
Defined the DesignOps charter for the BxD team (detailed further in Culture & Design Operations).
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment b/w indiv. goals & org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Built initiatives for Learning & Growth culture.
Defined the DesignOps charter for the BxD team (detailed further in Culture & Design Operations).
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment b/w indiv. goals & org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Built initiatives for Learning & Growth culture.
Defined the DesignOps charter for the BxD team (detailed further in Culture & Design Operations).
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment b/w indiv. goals & org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Built initiatives for Learning & Growth culture.
Defined the DesignOps charter for the BxD team (detailed further in Culture & Design Operations).
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment b/w indiv. goals & org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Built initiatives for Learning & Growth culture.
Defined the DesignOps charter for the BxD team (detailed further in Culture & Design Operations).
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Career & Growth Systems
Career growth frameworks across multiple design tracks
Structured learning tracks tailored to team maturity
Learning culture enabled through curated programs and initiatives
Impact
Clear growth paths
Higher ownership of learning
Alignment b/w indiv. goals & org direction
People Operations & Enablement
Hiring and staffing frameworks & processes
Created Design Manager’s Handbook
Defined onboarding experience for new joiners
Impact
Reduced ambiguity for managers
Faster onboarding
More consistent team practices
DesignOps & Staffing
Operationalized staffing systems - Mapped design involvement across projects and teams
Conceptualized and executed the brand for an internal hackathon—Build.AI.
Impact
Better resource allocation
Visibility into design capacity
Smoother project planning
Culture & Community
Conducted an in-depth study of team culture using quantitative and qualitative methods
Leading to a playbook for Culture with actionable recommendations.
Impact
Stronger team identity
Shared values
Data-backed cultural interventions
Leadership & Facilitation
Built initiatives for Learning & Growth culture.
Defined the DesignOps charter for the BxD team (detailed further in Culture & Design Operations).
Impact
Aligned leadership
Improved collaboration
Clearer strategic direction
Key Skillsets
Career architecture
Learning Design
Process Framework
Career architecture
Learning Design
Process Framework
Career architecture
Learning Design
Process Framework
Organizational & Culture Research
Workshop Facilitation
branding for internal initiatives
Organizational & Culture Research
Workshop Facilitation
branding for internal initiatives
Organizational & Culture Research
Workshop Facilitation
branding for internal initiatives
Areas of Growth
My current focus is on building stronger operational discipline across teams, reducing silos, and making ops a true priority—so culture becomes embedded, not an afterthought.
Gallery
Dalberg Design
Even though Design Ops wasn’t a formal part of my role, I naturally gravitated toward structure and culture—documenting our work effectively and conducting internal workshops, including strategic offsites.
BRND Studio
Role: Design Researcher
Introduced operational discipline within the project I led, ensuring smoother processes and collaboration.
Studio 5B – Dr. Reddy’s
Played a role in shaping cultural aspects of the team informally—strengthening collaboration and team alignment beyond project deliverables.
Quicksand Design Studio
One of my strongest early memories: organizing studio materials and collaterals, and making the space more conducive to free, creative thinking. Small acts of structure that helped the team breathe and create better.
