I am a Design Leader experienced in human-centered design to help bridge the gap between research and real-world impact in the context of design thinking, program management, public health, philanthropy, and international development. I apply creativity to help simplify complex systems to identify the most critical factors that influence the system and people’s behavior. CONTACT: mrcolestx@gmail.comPORTFOLIO: https://www.mattcolesdesigns.comBy integrating design thinking tools into my creative process, I create a well-rounded approach that considers both the user's perspective and the broader systems at play. This leads to more thoughtful and effective solutions for complex problem solving. SKILLSDESIGN: Human-Centered Design, Journey Mapping, Analytics & Visualizations, Rose Bud Thorn, Visual Design, Storytelling, Walk-a-mile Immersion, Personas.RESEARCH: Systems Thinking, Interviews, Surveys, Observation, Prototyping, PESTLE Analysis, The Five Whys, Program Management.COLLABORATION: Leadership, Mentoring, Team Building, Workshop Facilitation, Co-creation, Public Speaking, Donor Support, Stakeholder Engagement.TOOLS: Microsoft Office, Visio, Mural/Miro, Zoom/Teams, Slack, Adobe Creative Suite, CanvaOtter.ai, Venngage.ACCOMPLISHMENTS- Applied a systematic PEST (Political, Economic, Social & Technological) model to external stressors impacting local refugee resettlement systems and their effects on officers, case workers, family and community advocates. - Partnered with Baltimore City Health Department’s Sexual Health Clinics to support patients and providers in navigating HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Initiation process. Designed journey maps, checklists and color identification system to increase access in initiating PrEP for both patients and providers.- Served as a technical resource for human-centered design for public health projects including programs focused on missed opportunities for infant vaccinations.- Collaborated with the Maryland State Library Agency to increase library access in local communities through storytelling and rebranding STEM education programs. - Designed personas and journey maps for an online start-up, NEST Collaborative, to understand pain points and tensions of women navigating pregnancy, birth, infancy for nutrition and post-natal resources. - Served in the Peace Corps in West Africa. Supervised local health workers for annual polio vaccination campaigns to achieve regional coverage of 85% for children.Contact me for any human-centered design or system thinking opportunities.