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Gord Davison

@gorddavison

UX and AI design leader at IBM Toronto Studio who advanced privacy-first research systems and teaches UX leadership at University of Toronto.

Canada

Message

At IBM Canada Software Lab, I led AI-powered product design and workflow optimization, guiding teams through experience design, prototyping, and usability evaluation. I introduced AI-assisted design workflows and enablement programs, and partnered with engineering, CIO, Microsoft, and Figma on enterprise integration strategies.

As Studio Leader at IBM Studios Toronto, I led the design studio and its design and research organization, strengthening design operations, accessibility, and consistency across IBM’s global Studios. I also built industry and academic partnerships to grow design leadership and capability.

At IBM, I developed research systems, voice-of-customer programs, and privacy-first platforms, including the User Engagement Hub and a 1,300+ study insights repository. I’m also a Sessional Instructor at University of Toronto iSchool, where I co-instruct UX leadership and influence and teach students to apply human-centred design to interactive systems.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Sessional Instructor

Current

Faculty of Information, University of Toronto

Jan 2020 - Present (6 years 9 months)

Co-instructor for “INF2200H: UX Leadership and Influence” 12-week course for the University of Toronto Master of Information (iSchool) program. The course is offered as part of the UX stream within the Master of Information program, and introduces the principles of UX leadership and influence.

Create curriculum, learning outcomes and content relevant for successful UX design and leadership in in

Senior Manager, AI for Product Teams

IBM Canada Software Lab - Toronto

Jun 2023 - Dec 2025 (2 years 6 months)

Design leader driving AI-powered products and workflow optimization across enterprise environments. I lead cross-functional teams through end-to-end experience design—from concepting and interaction models to prototyping and usability evaluation—while ensuring alignment with design systems, architecture, accessibility, and risk requirements. I introduced AI-assisted design workflows and enablement

Studio Leader, IBM Studios Toronto

IBM Canada Software Lab - Toronto

Nov 1997 - Dec 2025 (28 years 1 month)

Led IBM’s third-largest design studio, managing 20+ managers and a 90+ person design and research organization. Oversaw design operations, culture, and standards across a global network of 100+ Studios, strengthening consistency and accessibility. Standardized onboarding, recruiting, and collaboration practices, and championed human-centred design across IBM Software. Built industry and academic p

Senior Manager, UX Research Insights & Enablement

IBM Canada Software Lab - Toronto

Jan 2021 - Jun 2023 (2 years 5 months)

Led research enablement for IBM Software, building foundational research systems, VOC programs, and cross-org research capability. Leveraged secure, privacy-first platforms—including the User Engagement Hub and a 1,300+ study insights repository—to accelerate insight delivery and improve customer experience. Oversaw generative, evaluative, and market research, strengthened cross-functional alignme