Resume

Chris Velazquez

Principal Product Designer. AI Strategy & Ethics. MBA Candidate.

Richmond, VA · christopherjvelazquez@gmail.com

Download resume (PDF)

Experience

Simple Thread

Sr. Product Designer

September 2024 – Present

Energy, Infrastructure, Innovation

  • Directed the strategy and design of mission-critical systems for the electrical grid through deep consultation with engineering teams and end-users.
  • Architected a financial tracking and modeling system that scaled construction change order management and improved internal operational efficiency.
  • Leveraged an AI Leadership certification to pivot expertise toward code-based prototyping and internal technology innovation.

Pearl

Sr. Product Designer

October 2023 – September 2024

Education, Tutoring, Big Data

  • Designed a comprehensive design system using advanced Figma tokens and variables to achieve one-to-one parity with a Tailwind CSS codebase, letting engineering move faster.
  • Directed research planning and stakeholder interviews for a primary initiative focused on transforming educational data into compelling impact stories for partners.
  • Designed the instructor companion mobile app, implementing accessibility improvements and resolving critical quality-of-life issues for staff of all abilities.
  • Led the design strategy for an education research platform to empower users through data storytelling and intuitive interface design.

Clearcover

Sr. Product Designer

October 2021 – September 2023

Insurance, Underwriting

  • Established a two-year product runway by collaboratively designing an insurance management system that reduced financial strategy authoring time from six months to one month.
  • Championed monthly UX improvements to the core policy management system so customer support staff could service time-sensitive financial records more effectively.
  • Designer, researcher, and tester for four distinct technical product teams to ensure consistent, high-quality interactive prototypes and workflows.

RTS Labs

Founding Product Designer

March 2017 – October 2021

Finance, Security, Design Operations

  • Built the company's first UX/UI practice from the ground up as the founding designer, eventually scaling the team to four full-time designers.
  • Institutionalized foundational processes for discovery, design, and research that contributed to securing several multi-million dollar contracts.
  • Shipped over 30 products across finance, education, and energy, demonstrating a high degree of versatility as a lead consultant.

ICF International

Designer & Front-End Engineer

September 2015 – March 2017

Consulting, Government, Social Impact

  • Designed and built large-scale digital transformation projects for federal clients.

Education & Certifications

  • Winter 2026 (Current Student)

    Master of Business Administration

    Longwood University

  • Certificate, January 2026

    AI Strategy & Governance

    University of Pennsylvania

  • Certificate, December 2025

    People Management Essentials

    Google Education

  • Certificate, November 2025

    Gen AI Leadership

    Google Education

  • Certificate, July 2021

    UX Strategy & Management

    Interaction Design Foundation

  • July 2015

    Media Arts & Design

    James Madison University