Well hello there, I'm Yoko!

Well hello there,
I'm Yoko!

Experience overview

Research Partner

Maze
June 2025 — Present

Dedicated partner for their AI moderator beta trial program. Guiding customers through kick-off through completion of 3 studies, gathering their feedback on a weekly basis and providing high level insights to leadership across Maze.

Research Strategy Program Manager

Design System Manager

The Kraft Heinz Company

Mar 2024 — March 2025

Led the creation and growth of the company’s first-ever enterprise design system that has seen 80% reduction in engineering and 40% in design. Established cross-functional governance and contribution model that has helped adoption across 800+ global builders. Launched internal training course with a completion user rate of 78% within the first few months. Maintained all Figma libraries.

Enterprise Design Systems Design Leadership

Staff Designer,
Design Systems

The Kraft Heinz Company

Nov 2023 — Mar 2024

Pioneered the role of the first full-time designer on the design system team. Solo design contributor, built Figma libraries, wrote and maintained documentation in Supernova and delivered global training to designers, engineering and product.

Enterprise Design Systems

Staff Designer,
Digital Manufacturing

The Kraft Heinz Company

Sep 2022 — Nov 2023

Led UX for internal products in Digital Manufacturing while also driving the product strategy and design of an MVP SaaS application to digitally connect plant workers across the U.S.  delivering a 15% reduction in daily process time.

Enterprise SaaS Digital Manufacturing

Senior UX/UI Designer

Nuna Baby / Joie Baby

Nov 2021 — Jul 2022

Established the first UX discipline within the organization, serving as a shared resource across three global brands: Nuna Baby, Joie Baby, and Graco EMEA.

E-Commerce UX/UI design Design Systems

Senior UX/UI Designer

Signet Jewelers

April 2021 — October 2021

UX lead on the Service Team for all e-commerce websites and contributed to the development of their design system, Amor.

E-Commerce UX/UI design Design Systems

Lead UX/UI Designer

Vera Bradley

March 2016 — April 2021

Led design and research for 2 e-commerce sites, managed and mentored designers, and played a key role in launching their first international site and replatform to Shopify.

E-Commerce UX/UI design Design Manager

UX Manager

Purdue University

October 2014 — March 2016

Managed designers while leading website design and branding for Purdue.edu, advised clients on digital strategy, and contributed to high-level strategic decisions shaping user experience.

Higher Education Design Manager

If you decide to work with me, you'll find that I am a…

Relationship guru —

I thrive on building strong connections that drive collaboration and end with great work.

Human advocate —

I prioritize people—both colleagues and users. Mentoring, building and leading teams is a professional joy.

Momma bear —

That’s a superpower in it’s own right. I’m patient, adaptable and obviously a strong multi-tasker!

Candid voice —

I believe in honesty and clarity—speaking directly to drive progress and maintain trust.

Stickler for detail —

I have a knack for catching the little things that make a big difference. Details matter.

Challenge enthusiast —

I embrace projects others might avoid—transforming complex or overlooked challenges.

Folks who vouch for me

I've never worked with someone who immediately made a splash like Yoko. Her genuine curiosity and attention to detail was quickly on display - she is tremendous asset. If you're not already working with Yoko, you're making a mistake.

Jonathan Moyer

D2C Analytics Manager - Nuna Baby

The business value of the Delish design system operating at this level is immeasurable. I am truly impressed with the swift and polished delivery of the system.

Mike Bowlin

Senior Design Manager - Kraft Heinz

Her enthusiasm is contagious and it really helps boost team morale

Aditya Rawat

React Engineer - Kraft Heinz

I believe Yoko’s skill with people will be one of her greatest assets throughout her career – it’s the kind of secret sauce that can’t be taught.

Shannon Jacobson

Senior Global Brand Director - Joie Baby

Your empathy is off the charts. It's so impressive and your ability to design in big and small things are like a chef's kiss.

Curtis Stowie

Senior BIE Manager - Kraft Heinz

As a pivotal member of our leadership team she exhibits passion, commitment and empathy as we work towards gender parity in our technology organization. I love her unique viewpoint and her desire to continue to move this initiative (Gender in Tech) forward outside her day to day role.

Marcia Steele

VP, Commercial Capabilities - Kraft Heinz

Yoko is dynamic, relentless and methodical. All three of those are very rare traits… combine them and they become even more so.

Andrew Lindsay

Global Head of Enterprise Design - Kraft Heinz

Folks who vouch for me

I've never worked with someone who immediately made a splash like Yoko. Her genuine curiosity and attention to detail was quickly on display - she is tremendous asset. If you're not already working with Yoko, you're making a mistake.

Jonathan Moyer

D2C Analytics Manager - Nuna Baby

The business value of the Delish design system operating at this level is immeasurable. I am truly impressed with the swift and polished delivery of the system.

Mike Bowlin

Senior Design Manager - Kraft Heinz

Her enthusiasm is contagious and it really helps boost team morale

Aditya Rawat

React Engineer - Kraft Heinz

I believe Yoko’s skill with people will be one of her greatest assets throughout her career – it’s the kind of secret sauce that can’t be taught.

Shannon Jacobson

Senior Global Brand Director - Joie Baby

Your empathy is off the charts. It's so impressive and your ability to design in big and small things are like a chef's kiss.

Curtis Stowie

Senior BIE Manager - Kraft Heinz

As a pivotal member of our leadership team she exhibits passion, commitment and empathy as we work towards gender parity in our technology organization. I love her unique viewpoint and her desire to continue to move this initiative (Gender in Tech) forward outside her day to day role.

Marcia Steele

VP, Commercial Capabilities - Kraft Heinz

Yoko is dynamic, relentless and methodical. All three of those are very rare traits… combine them and they become even more so.

Andrew Lindsay

Global Head of Enterprise Design - Kraft Heinz

Relationship guru —

I thrive on building strong connections that drive collaboration and end with great work.

Human advocate —

I prioritize people—both colleagues and users. Mentoring, building and leading teams is a professional joy.

Momma bear —

That’s a superpower in it’s own right. I’m patient, adaptable and obviously a strong multi-tasker!

Candid voice —

I believe in honesty and clarity—speaking directly to drive progress and maintain trust.

Stickler for detail —

I have a knack for catching the little things that make a big difference. Details matter.

Challenge enthusiast —

I embrace projects others might avoid—transforming complex or overlooked challenges.

If you decide to work with me, you'll find that I am a…

Experience overview

Research Partner

Maze

June 2025 — Present

To draw a Frame, click on Layout in the Toolbar, then select Frame. Now, you can click and drag anywhere on the Canvas.

Research Strategy ✦ Program Manager

Research Partner

Maze

June 2025 — Present

To draw a Frame, click on Layout in the Toolbar, then select Frame. Now, you can click and drag anywhere on the Canvas.

Research Strategy ✦ Program Manager

Design System Manager

Kraft Heinz Company

Mar 2024 — Mar 2025

Led the creation and growth of the company’s first-ever enterprise design system that has seen 80% reduction in engineering and 40% in design. Established cross-functional governance and contribution model that has helped adoption across 800+ global builders. Launched internal training course with a completion user rate of 78% within the first few months. Maintained all Figma libraries.

Enterprise ✦ Design Systems ✦ Design Leadership

Design System Manager

Kraft Heinz Company

Mar 2024 — Mar 2025

Led the creation and growth of the company’s first-ever enterprise design system that has seen 80% reduction in engineering and 40% in design. Established cross-functional governance and contribution model that has helped adoption across 800+ global builders. Launched internal training course with a completion user rate of 78% within the first few months. Maintained all Figma libraries.

Enterprise ✦ Design Systems ✦ Design Leadership

Staff Designer, Design Systems

Kraft Heinz Company

Nov 2023 — Mar 2024

Pioneered the role of the first full-time designer on the design system team. Solo design contributor, built Figma libraries, wrote and maintained documentation in Supernova and delivered global training to designers, engineering and product.

Enterprise ✦ Design Systems ✦ Design Systems

Staff Designer, Design Systems

Kraft Heinz Company

Nov 2023 — Mar 2024

Pioneered the role of the first full-time designer on the design system team. Solo design contributor, built Figma libraries, wrote and maintained documentation in Supernova and delivered global training to designers, engineering and product.

Enterprise ✦ Design Systems ✦ Design Systems

Staff Designer, Manufacturing

Kraft Heinz Company

Sep 2022 — Nov 2023

Led UX for internal products in Digital Manufacturing while also driving the product strategy and design of an MVP SaaS application to digitally connect plant workers across the U.S.  delivering a 15% reduction in daily process time.

Enterprise ✦ SaaS ✦ Digital Manufacturing

Staff Designer, Manufacturing

Kraft Heinz Company

Sep 2022 — Nov 2023

Led UX for internal products in Digital Manufacturing while also driving the product strategy and design of an MVP SaaS application to digitally connect plant workers across the U.S.  delivering a 15% reduction in daily process time.

Enterprise ✦ SaaS ✦ Digital Manufacturing

Senior UX/UI Designer

Nuna

Nov 2021 — Jul 2022

Established the first UX discipline within the organization, serving as a shared resource across three global brands: Nuna Baby, Joie Baby, and Graco EMEA.

E-Commerce ✦ UX/UI design ✦ Design Systems

Senior UX/UI Designer

Nuna

Nov 2021 — Jul 2022

Established the first UX discipline within the organization, serving as a shared resource across three global brands: Nuna Baby, Joie Baby, and Graco EMEA.

E-Commerce ✦ UX/UI design ✦ Design Systems

Senior UX/UI Designer

Nuna

Nov 2021 — Jul 2022

Established the first UX discipline within the organization, serving as a shared resource across three global brands: Nuna Baby, Joie Baby, and Graco EMEA.

E-Commerce ✦ UX/UI design ✦ Design Systems

Senior UX/UI Designer

Nuna

Nov 2021 — Jul 2022

Established the first UX discipline within the organization, serving as a shared resource across three global brands: Nuna Baby, Joie Baby, and Graco EMEA.

E-Commerce ✦ UX/UI design ✦ Design Systems

Lead UX/UI Designer

Vera Bradley

Mar 2016 — Apr 2021

Led design and research for 2 e-commerce sites, managed and mentored designers, and played a key role in launching their first international site and replatform to Shopify.

E-Commerce ✦ UX/UI design ✦ Design Manager

Lead UX/UI Designer

Vera Bradley

Mar 2016 — Apr 2021

Led design and research for 2 e-commerce sites, managed and mentored designers, and played a key role in launching their first international site and replatform to Shopify.

E-Commerce ✦ UX/UI design ✦ Design Manager

UX Manager

Purdue University

Oct 2014 — Mar 2016

Managed designers while leading website design and branding for Purdue.edu, advised clients on digital strategy, and contributed to high-level strategic decisions shaping user experience.

Higher Education ✦ Design Manager

UX Manager

Purdue University

Oct 2014 — Mar 2016

Managed designers while leading website design and branding for Purdue.edu, advised clients on digital strategy, and contributed to high-level strategic decisions shaping user experience.

Higher Education ✦ Design Manager

Well hello there,
I'm Yoko!

Let's make something magical together

Let's make something
magical together