Hi I’m Katy! 👋

I'm a queer, Lebanese American artist living in Chicago, IL. I advocate for mental health awareness and inclusion in the workplace. Currently, I’m teaching future artists at Kidcreate Studio.

For the last 10 years, I’ve been a prominent design contributor and leader for web and mobile products, excelling in visual design, strategy and team engagement.

By late 2023, I knew I needed a change, and I began teaching art to elementary students.

Aside from designing, I love empowering people to find their confidence, whether in design, work process or self improvement. I do that by sharing my process, great tunes, writing and arranging cross-functional design workshops. And in my spare time, I mentor women and non-binary students via Built by Girls where I can flex my mentorship skills and get inspired by Gen Z :)

Previously, I worked at Grubhub, then with digital design clients at FCB Chicago, where I perfected my design documentation, storytelling and presentation crafts. Before that, I spent a few years with Chicago startups - Spothero, Impact Networking and Acapella Media - designing and strategizing their web/mobile apps.

I’m aspiring to be a design leader people look up to, while shining light on mental health. After years of hospitality jobs, my process is empathy-driven with potential and possibility everywhere (hi other Visionaries!) I want to push the boundaries of social norms, especially racial and gender equality. By creating safe spaces for teams to flourish, creativity and confidence will follow.

What I can do:
Visual Design, Product Strategy, Information Architecture, UX Research, Wireframing, Interaction Design, Presentations, Team Facilitation, iOS Human Interface Guidelines, Android Material Design, familiarity with HTML/CSS

Industries I’ve worked in:
Hospitality, Food Service, E-Commerce, Marketplace Tech, Financial Tech, Advertising Agency, Tech Agency

Proud Moments:
Co-Lead, Mental Health (company group), 2023
Joined group of 6 co-leads planning and facilitating the 2023 season of Mental Health group events.

Manager, Product Design Breathers, 2021-2023
After volunteering for 2022, I took over as manager for planning and facilitating hybrid activities for the Product Design department, focusing on creativity and relaxation.

Panelist, Queer@ Etsy Fireside Chat, 2022
Virtually, I joined 3 other Queer Etsy coworkers during a monthly chat to discuss our queer experiences in life and at tech companies.

Panelist, LesbiansWhoTech Pride Summit, 2021
Virtually, I joined 4 other Grubhub coworkers to promote recruitment and discuss how Product/Tech departments are evolving DEI.

#IAmRemarkable Facilitator, 2019+
I completed training for Google’s workshop; I’ve presented this workshop virtually and in-person for groups of 5 to 25 people

Grubtank Finalist, 2018
Grubtank, similar to Shark Tank, is an annual contest Grubhub holds for employees. I led my group in ideation and presentation reviews, then presented solo in front of company (3,000+ in person and online)

American Web Design Award, 2016
My design was awarded the 2016 American Web Design Award from GD USA Magazine for the Impact Corporate Website