I’m looking for a job where I can make a difference with all knowledge and experience I accumulated and honed over the years, not only technical on UX, Product Design, Research, Cognitive Psychology, Leadership, Mentoring and Innovation, but also about well-being, self actualization, and happiness. All permeated by multicultural awareness, rational compassion, and a growth mindset.
DPLooking for a job
Denise Pilar
@denisepilar
Hello, I'm Denise Pilar, 15+ years experience in Product Management, UX Research & Design, fluent in English, French, Portuguese, +advanced Spanish.
BrazilWhat I'm looking for
I have advanced degrees in Computer Science, Cognitive Psychology, and an MBA in Positive Psychology with an emphasis on leadership and user experience. I worked at all stages of the Product Development lifecycle, includin UX Research and Design, Product Design, Product Management, coaching, mentoring, and leading product teams, some of which received prestigious international Design awards.
As a big-picture person with cross-cultural and language skills, I developed a strong background in leading multidisciplinary teams, developing product strategies, and driving continuous improvement in software design. I have a proven track record in creating innovative, user-centered solutions that align technology, business—always with a strong focus on outcomes and success metrics through data-driven decision making.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
NUStaff UX Researcher/Strategist
Nubank
Designed and executed quantitative and qualitative research to improve customer experience, led psychographic segmentation and supported strategic goal definition while informing product cycles and KPIs across cross-functional teams.
SASenior UX Researcher
Delivered UX training and led custom UX projects and evaluations for clients (including Petrobras), developed a UX evaluation/prioritization tool, and helped establish local UX teams and governance to institutionalize UX practices.
SAManaged UX resources and led research and design for strategic initiatives, translating insights into product roadmaps, creating personas and journeys, and driving organizational UX maturity including a 5-year longitudinal study that created a dedicated UX unit.
SDDigital Product Design Professor
SCAD - Savannah College of Art and Design
Dec 2022 - Jul 2025 (2 years 7 months)
Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in UX, research methods, and human factors while leading 80+ product design projects emphasizing innovation and emerging technologies; multiple projects won international awards (20+ IDA, 11 Red Dot).
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
PSPontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
Doctor of Philosophy, Cognitive Psychology
Doctoral studies in Cognitive Psychology with PhD work resumed after starting at KU Leuven; GPA not applicable.
ULUniversité catholique de Louvain
Master of Science, Computer Science
Completed a Master of Science in Computer Science at Université catholique de Louvain.
PSPontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
Master of Business Administration, Positive Psychology
MBA in Positive Psychology with emphasis on Leadership for Change from PUCRS.
UFUniversidade de Passo Fundo
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Universidade de Passo Fundo.
Availability
Looking for a job
Location
BrazilAuthorized to work in
Salary expectations
0-0 USD
Social media
Job categories
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