NIKI LESNIAK M.A.
Experience
The Jackson Laboratory
Manager, Creative & UX Strategy (Jun 2022 - Present)
Lead, Creative & UX Strategy (Nov 2019 - Jun 2022)
Senior Designer (Dec 2018 - Nov 2019)
Lead, Creative & UX Strategy (Nov 2019 - Jun 2022)
Senior Designer (Dec 2018 - Nov 2019)
Digital and UX Strategy
At JAX, I collaborated on a cross-departmental team to create a Design System Library, unifying website elements for improved consistency and accessibility—filling a gap where no such system previously existed. I’ve also taken the lead on updating all business-related webpages, a comprehensive project encompassing site architecture, on-page optimization, SEO strategy, brand voice and visual alignment, roadmap creation and maintenance, and project management.
While this project is ongoing, our updates have already yielded measurable results, including increased webpage impressions, improved alignment with relevant audience keywords, higher Google search rankings, and enhanced user engagement on the updated pages.
Brand Management and Development
When I joined JAX in 2018, the brand was well-respected but lacked visual consistency across print materials, digital content, and event promotions. The visuals didn’t always reflect the organization’s legacy or reinforce its reputation. Over the years, I’ve led efforts to develop a cohesive look and feel, establishing guiding principles that amplify and align with the brand’s core values. This work has involved collaboration across departments and platforms, ensuring the brand remains elevated, refined, and intentional in every aspect.
Team Management and Development
Since becoming a team lead in November 2019, I have embraced the responsibility of fostering a productive, collaborative, and supportive environment. I oversee team capacity and project management, ensuring high-quality work is delivered on time. To support professional growth, I assign diverse projects that help team members develop new skills and gain a deeper understanding of the breadth of our work.
I prioritize open communication by holding weekly one-on-one meetings, where I actively seek feedback on my leadership to ensure a mutual understanding of expectations and needs. Additionally, I’ve established protocols for file creation and organization, enabling seamless access to work and enhancing team efficiency. My goal is to create a safe space where collaboration thrives and every team member feels empowered to grow and succeed.
Colleague Testimonials
"She is an extremely talented UX and creative designer. Niki is able to step into any role, she is very thoughtful in her designs, and has elevated the JMCRS brand to what we see today. She cares deeply for her direct reports and ensures their growth. With the digital manager role open, Niki stepped in learning from scratch SEO, Google Analytics, and Site Core. She took over the website overhaul, redoing the architecture, layout, and functionality. Niki is one of the most valuable members on the team." - Current Manager
"Our design team environment is positive, supportive, and encouraging! I am proud to be part of a team that fosters growth, dreaming, innovation, and pushing each other as a team and as individuals." - Current Direct Report
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my opportunities to interface and collaborate with other user experience (UX) professional across the organization. My leadership has been excellent at providing growth opportunities in this area." - Current Direct Report
Related Skills
Leadership & Team Development, Project Managerment, Process Optimization, Brand Consistency, Design Systems, User-Centered Design, SEO and Optimization, Problem-Solving, Brand Strategy, Visual Consistency, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Strategic Thinking, Team Leadership, Innovation & Creativity, Conflict Resolution.
Software Skills
Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Workfront, Google Analytics, SEMRush, Crazy Egg, Google Search Console.
Awards & Courses
IDEO U Certificate - Human-Centered Strategy (November 2024)
Harvard Professional Development Course - Managing Yourself And
Leading Others (January 2021)
JMCRS Impact Award Winner (February 2020)
IDEO U Course - Leading for Creativity (April 2019)
Rosie Application
Creative Director (Aug 2015 - Dec 2016)
Rosie App was a pioneering SaaS tool that empowered independent grocery stores to offer online shopping to their customers. Acquired by InstaCart in 2022, Rosie was an innovator in bridging technology and grocery operations.
As Rosie’s 11th hire, I played a critical role in shaping the product’s design and user experience, initially serving as the sole designer, UX strategist, and user researcher. I designed and launched core features for both the B2B Rosie for Retailers platform and the B2C consumer-facing website. By conducting in-depth user research — including retailer shadowing, customer workflow observation, surveys, and customer service call analysis — I identified pain points and opportunities that directly informed feature development.
Key contributions included the design of a shopping list tool, recipe integration, SNAP benefit payment enablement, a "special product" request feature, and UI enhancements to improve order accuracy for retailers. These innovations significantly improved the platform’s usability and alignment with user needs, enhancing the overall customer experience.
I partnered closely with developers, actively participating in scrum meetings and translating research insights into actionable JIRA tickets written from the user’s perspective. By providing high-fidelity mockups, prototypes, and detailed specifications, I ensured efficient development cycles and consistently high-quality results.
Related Skills
User Testing, Feature Planning, Prototyping, Wireframing, High-Fidelity Mockups, Specifications for Development, Quality Assurance Testing, User Analytics, JIRA, Confluence, Adobe Creative Suite, Team Management
Education
Master of Arts in Graphic Design and Iconic Research
This program focused on the psychology behind how society comprehends and interprets graphics and images. It explored the ways images can be designed to communicate key information effectively and how cultural influences shape those interpretations. Grounded in human-centered design thinking, the coursework bridged philosophical frameworks with practical, real-world applications.
My thesis addressed a critical challenge in design organizations: improving communication between clients and creatives. I investigated how creative concepts can be effectively conveyed and understood within multidisciplinary teams, offering strategies to enhance collaboration and alignment across diverse perspectives.
Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies
and a Minor in Environmental Studies
and a Minor in Environmental Studies
University of Washington 2005 - 2009
Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
The Design Studies program emphasized interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to complement their practical design coursework with studies in another field. I chose to minor in Environmental Studies, combining my passion for the outdoors with my interest in graphic design to explore the intersection of creativity and sustainability.
For my bachelor’s thesis, I focused on environmental communication, designing initiatives to persuade Seattle residents to adopt more sustainable behaviors. This project aimed to bridge ecological education and visual storytelling to inspire meaningful change within the community.