Open to opportunities

Shannon Graf

@shannongraf

Research strategist and people-centered leader driving product, design, and business strategy with human-centered insights.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek roles where I can lead research-driven product strategy, mentor teams, and apply human-centered insights and AI-driven processes to deliver measurable business impact.

I am a research strategist and people-centered leader with 20+ years delivering generative and evaluative UX research, product strategy, and AI-driven operational optimization. I have worked in consulting and in-house roles across healthcare, retail, hospitality, finance, media, education, real estate, and nonprofit sectors, mentoring researchers and guiding cross-functional teams to develop measurable business outcomes.

As a former Director of Design Research and Product Strategy and Principal Consultant, I have led teams and programs that informed product roadmaps, improved online conversion, and established enduring research practices. I blend hands-on research rigor with strategic leadership to empower stakeholders, enable innovation, and translate insights into tangible product and organizational impact.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Principal Consultant

Current

Shannon Graf Creative Consulting

Nov 2013 - Present (12 years 2 months)

Lead AI-driven process optimization and UX research engagements that improve operational efficiency and inform product and design strategy, delivering research-backed insights to senior decision-makers.

UX Research Product Strategy Qualitative Research Stakeholder Management Advisory Workshop Facilitation

Director, Design Research

Signet Jewelers

Feb 2021 - May 2025 (4 years 3 months)

Led and mentored a research team across Signet brands, driving insights-led strategies that contributed to a 10% online conversion rate and improved product and design decisions.

Design Research Team Leadership Qualitative Methods Cross Functional Collaboration Mentorship Product Strategy

Principal Strategist

Dialexa, an IBM Company

Oct 2019 - Jan 2021 (1 year 3 months)

Worked with design and engineering teams during Discovery to define user problems and unmet needs, deploying research methods to inform product strategy and long-term product evolution.

Discovery Product Strategy Qualitative Research Requirements Definition Roadmapping

Director, Experience Strategy

projekt202

Apr 2016 - Oct 2019 (3 years 6 months)

Defined and advocated the company's experience strategy IP, supported business development, and managed researchers and strategists across client engagements to deliver insight-driven solutions.

Team Management Business Development Client Engagement Thought Leadership Workshop Facilitation Insights Communication

Account Director

Hall & Partners

Apr 2014 - Apr 2015 (1 year)

Managed $1.5–2.5M in annual revenue, led global market research analysis and presentations, and facilitated international research engagements and workshops for high-level clients.

Account Management Market Research Revenue Management Global Workshop Facilitation Stakeholder Management

Manager, Digital Product Strategy

DIRECTV

Aug 2012 - Nov 2013 (1 year 3 months)

Defined product strategy and roadmaps for digital platforms, led redesign of the NFL Sunday Ticket app, supervised product strategists, and supported UX/UI teams with user research outputs.

Product Strategy Roadmapping UX Research Team Supervision Requirements Gathering

Director, Research and Consulting

Sachs Insights

Apr 2011 - Aug 2012 (1 year 4 months)

Designed and managed global research for brands, supervised Research Associates, led B2B and B2C business development, and mentored teams in UX research methods.

Research Design Team Management B2C Business Development Mentorship Global