Vanessa Sullivan Email & Phone Number

Orange, Ca, Us

New York, Ny, Us

Responsible for growing and scaling a team of user researchers, establishing proper research processes, building internal partnerships, and delivering meaningful user insights. Works closely and collaboratively with product leaders, McGraw Hill user research teams, and stakeholders at all levels of the organization to ensure the successful delivery of all user research timelines and deliverables. By surfacing the voice of the customer to development teams, I help shape and inform overall product strategy and continuously advocates for our users.

New York, Ny, Us

Leading voice for a team of user experience researchers who use innovative research methods to drive programs that deliver deep customer insights across McGraw-Hill Education’s Digital Platform Group. Guides all aspects of user research for the business unit, including usability testing and working with teams of designers, product managers, and developers to create and improve products. Works with stakeholders to execute prioritized research projects and advance key development initiatives for the business unit. Experienced with conducting accessibility user testing in-person and remote.

New York, Ny, Us

Guided a team of user experience researchers in executing research projects for an adaptive learning and assessment product. Partnered with teams to drive all stages of user research, from early product direction through post-release validation, ensuring research is well-executed and impactful. Led several initiatives to improve communication and research quality across McGraw-Hill, including: workshops, a user research training program, and a centralized research repository.In December 2018, McGraw-Hill won a Digital Edge Award for our data analytics tool called ALEKS Insights. Through user surveys, our research team discovered there was a need for teachers to easily see which students were exhibiting abnormal learning patterns such as cheating. We conducted focus groups, interviews and surveys around this user need which led to the development of Insights. Our team continued to stay actively involved in the project by conducting usability testing and reporting findings to help inform business decisions and design direction. We also led the beta testing of Insights in April 2019 before the June release - allowing time for fixes and enhancements.

New York, Ny, Us

Skillfully identified and communicated what users needed from products by conducting user research efforts, and exploring the behaviors and motivations of users. Independently led all phases of a user research project, including: planning, creating test plans, recruiting participants, moderating test sessions, synthesizing data, and presenting results in a clear and concise manner to stakeholders. Created a user research tool kit and a series of templates for other researchers to follow, ensuring consistency across teams.

New York, Ny, Us

Conducted all aspects of user research (e.g. recruiting, creating test plans, moderating, synthesizing, reporting). Developed ability to tell compelling stories about our customers and their behaviors in ways that generated empathy and engagement, leading to elegant UI designs. Managed a nationwide beta test for a new student product. Recruited participants, created and analyzed surveys, monitored feedback, coordinated site visits, conducted individual interviews and focus groups, and provided ongoing updates to the project team.

New York, Ny, Us

Provided administrative assistance to the Director of User Experience and Technical Product Management by tracking key deliverables, streamlining communications, and organizing schedules. Learned about UX Research and assisted with key research tasks (e.g. recruiting, moderating, note-taking, analysis, reporting).

Irvine, Ca, Us

Led product training and implementation coaching sessions for educators, teaching them how to successfully implement the product in their classroom and improve student learning results. Presented product demos at trade shows and conferences.Note: McGraw-Hill Education acquired ALEKS Corporation in 2013. I transitioned to working for McGraw- Hill once acquired.

Irvine, Ca, Us

Received incoming calls and interacted with visitors in a professional and friendly manner. Assisted with event planning, health and safety, arranging travel, lead entry, and expense reporting.

Fairlawn, Ohio, Us

Wrote marketing and informative materials such as brochures, manuals, flyers, and website content. Assisted with special projects for the Executive Director and other departments such as sales and web development.

During college, I worked part time with K12 students on developing their cognitive thinking skills through a variety of programs. I provided remediation and support to students who have Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and auditory processing problems. I tracked and evaluated student progress and created individualized student lesson plans. I updated parents on student progress and their support plan.

Tustin, Ca, Us

Planned events for the Y Inclusion's outreach calendar and contacted organizations to have the YMCA represented at events throughout Orange County. Collaborated with the New Horizons program which organized events for adults with developmental disabilities. Worked on the initial plans to start a support group for parents of special needs children.

Orange, Ca, Us

Assisted Chapman University's Office of Housing and Residence life by answering phones, filing, helping students and parents with questions and issues, greeting campus visitors, filing maintenance requests, creating flyers, maintaining confidentiality, and completing special projects for senior staff members.

Bakersfield, California, Us

Supervised K-6 children in an after school program and led recreational activities such as sports, games, and crafts. Certified in First Aid and CPR.

Master'S Degree, Management, Strategy & Leadership

Bachelor'S, Psychology

High School Diploma