Chris Velazquez
Product Design + Business Strategy
Richmond, Virginia · MBA Candidate, Longwood University
Helping teams solve complex problems
- Experience
- 10+ yrs
- Products shipped
- 30+
- Industries
- 5+
- Credentials
- 6
About
I'm Chris, a product designer based in Richmond, VA. I've worked across energy, insurance, and education. Now I'm finishing an MBA and designing grid management systems.
More about ChrisIn-depth case studies
PrivateDetailed research, systems thinking, and outcomes—shared privately.
Unlock case studyExperience
01 — 04
Sr. Product Designer
Simple Thread · Full-time
Sep 2024 — Present · Richmond, VA
Mission-critical business systems for electrical grid teams.
- Design of mission-critical systems through deep consultation with engineering teams and end-users.
- Architected a financial tracking and modeling system that scaled construction change order management and improved operational efficiency.
- Pivoted toward code-based prototyping and internal technology innovation through AI leadership training.
Sr. Product Designer
Pearl · Full-time
Oct 2023 — Sep 2024 · Richmond, VA
Research, mobile tools, and data storytelling for education.
- Designed a Figma design system with token and variable parity to a Tailwind CSS codebase, increasing development velocity.
- Directed research planning and stakeholder interviews to transform educational data into compelling impact stories.
- Designed an accessible instructor companion app and led strategy for an education research platform.
Sr. Product Designer
Clearcover · Full-time
Oct 2021 — Sep 2023 · Richmond, VA
Internal insurance management and policy systems.
- Established a two-year product runway with an insurance management system that reduced strategy authoring from six months to one.
- Championed monthly UX improvements to help support staff service time-sensitive financial records more effectively.
- Designed, researched, and tested across four technical product teams to ensure consistent, high-quality workflows.
Founding Product Designer
RTS Labs · Consultancy
Mar 2017 — Oct 2021 · Richmond, VA
Built the first UX/UI practice and shipped 30+ products.
- Built the company’s UX/UI practice from the ground up and scaled the team to four full-time designers.
- Institutionalized discovery, design, and research processes that contributed to several multi-million dollar contracts.
- Shipped over 30 products across finance, education, and energy as a lead consultant.
Education & Certifications
Stacking formal business, leadership, and AI training on top of 10+ years of product design.
Master of Business Administration
Longwood University · Winter 2026 candidate
AI Strategy & Governance
University of Pennsylvania
People Management Essentials
Google Education
Generative AI Leadership
Google Education
UX Strategy & Management
Interaction Design Foundation
B.A. Media Arts & Design
James Madison University
Get in touch
Let's make something thoughtful with real business impact. Helping teams with product strategy, design, and AI-informed UX.