Discover compelling stories and testimonials from former managers, coworkers, and direct reports, offering valuable insights into my collaborative experiences and professional relationships. Explore detailed accounts of past collaborations to gain a deeper understanding of my expertise and working style.
Kaitlin Cornier
Vroom
Michael is hands down one of the best Directors I've ever had the chance to work with, and I genuinely mean it. Back in 2022, I was lucky enough to be part of Michael's team at Vroom as a Product Designer.
From the very beginning, Michael assumed the role of a mentor, providing valuable guidance for me and support that allowed me to flourish professionally. He not only encouraged me to take charge of projects but also took the time to patiently walk me through complex processes, ensuring I had a solid understanding of our work.
One aspect of Michael's leadership style that I find admirable is his willingness to challenge conventional thinking. He has an innate talent for thinking outside the box and encouraging innovative approaches to problem-solving.
Michael isn't afraid to break the rules when necessary, always with the intention of achieving the best possible outcomes. He possesses a bold and forward-thinking mindset and natural talent for building strong relationships with his team members, inspiring trust, and promoting open communication.
Given the opportunity, I would wholeheartedly embrace the chance to work with Michael again, even in a different company. I owe a lot of my professional growth over the last year to working closely with him.
Thank you Michael!
John Ngoi
Capital One & Macy's
I worked with Mike at a Fortune 500 e-commerce company, rebooting the flagship shopping app and also at a large financial services company for both iOS and Android.
Mike is a very thoughtful and pragmatic design leader, with deep experience in all things mobile. He is able to influence others and lead his design teams to new concepts and approaches, that is focused on delighting users and at the same time, pragmatic to timelines and what engineering can deliver in the given period of time.
I hope to cross path with Mike again in the future, and I recommend Mike for any design leadership roles.
Lisa Cheng
Capital One
During our time working together, Michael consistently impressed me with his exceptional design skills, strategic thinking, ability to lead and inspire teams, and solid operational approach. His attention to detail, user-centric approach, and commitment to elevating teams to excellence make him a valuable asset to any organization.
Beth Hart
Vroom
Mike was my manager at Vroom in 2022-23. He is an expert in UX best practices and proper UX processes. He was able to teach, encourage, and mentor people on the design team and in product. I would regularly put my work in front of Mike especially in the planning stage to find ways to consolidate and streamline work. He has shortcuts!
He cared about my growth as a designer, and helped everyone on the team push forward to their next professional goals.
Latika Gulati
Capital One
Michael is the most talented designer I've ever had the pleasure to work with. He was the designer on the small team where I was the developer, meaning we worked closely together to bring our vision to life. He ensured that any and all feedback I had was carefully and critically considered, which was a new experience to me as a developer. I saw how seamlessly design and development can work together in a way that's full of respect and harmony.
I can honestly say that working side by side with him taught me about the world of UX Design and prompted my career change. Even as I floated the idea of switching careers by him, I was greeted by nothing short of enthusiasm. He saw the design potential within me and was eager to jump in as a mentor whenever I needed advice. He prepped me for my first few UX design interviews, ensuring that I was well armed to show off my knowledge. I'd be honored to work with him again in any capacity!
Caroline Williams
Capital One
Want to work with a design leader who champions research and user experience? Well, look no further. Michael is an ideation machine who has this incredible ability to deliver while balancing business goals and customer needs. He pushes the boundary of brand and product while inspiring teams and contributing to design systems, process + tooling, and culture.
Thomas Misner
Macy's
To be frank, Mike is a bit naughty, and I mean that in the best possible way. He's a scallawag, a rapscallion, a rogue. He's inventive and confident, and has a way of bending the rules without breaking them, and in doing so challenges us all to do greater things. He's a negotiator, but not an operator–his intention is for everyone to get what they want. I've had the chance to work with him twice while I was at Macys.com, first supporting our Mobile Design Team in NY, and then later when I was spinning up a Creative team in SF. As soon as I saw his resume came through for the SF gig, I knew with our rapport and his spirit that he was the perfect hire to help us build a successful team in the Bay Area. His Mobile Design skills both on and behind the screen were stellar, and as a mentor he made an impression on our newer designers. In an environment that often required political advantage, he excelled at making the right deals, trading strict adherence to standards here and there for extra polish in areas that needed it. Mike is dependable, diligent and daring–a great combination of talent and personality. Beware of his practical jokes. Thanks, Mike!
Vanessa Kerr
Vroom
During our time working together, Michael consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership and mentoring skills that steered the design team at Vroom towards best practice all while encouraging an environment of continuous improvement. Michael brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table that created an atmosphere of trust and collaboration. He had a significant influence to my growth as a designer and I am confident that the lessons and best practices imparted by him will continue to shape my career as a designer. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to learn from Michael and I wholeheartedly recommend him for any leadership role.