Whitney Bush Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Lead client projects that leverage strategic user research and human-centered design to drive innovation and organizational transformation. My offerings include user and design research; facilitation of shared team learning and co-creation workshops; and prototyping and validation of new products, practices, and business models. I have worked across a wide range of sectors, including financial services, nonprofits, philanthropy, healthcare, retail, and consumer products.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Build Organizational Learning as a new team and function serving IFF, including:- Hiring and coaching a team of organizational learning leaders with a combination of technical and sector expertise, as well as strategic thinking and relationship building skills- Leading a primary (qualitative and quantitative) research practice that supports both external customers' strategic insights needs and internal data-driven decision making related to customer and employee experience; monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL); and impact measurement and management (IMM)- Developing a user-centered design plan to create and scale a new knowledge management system- Creating and facilitating the implementation of learning practices in the project lifecycle, including team reflections, collaborative problem solving, and prototyping- Co-Leading internal culture transformation work in order to align the ways we work with our organizational equity goals- Launching an internal interview podcast focused on the work and experiences of individual IFF staff across the region

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As an intrapreneur, lead iterative user-centered design and market validation of a new business focused on digitally enabled smart buildings. Through qualitative discovery research and experimentation, use customer insights to identify a beachhead customer and problem/opportunity space. Develop and customer-validate solutions, size market potential, map the competitive landscape, and identify paths to commercialization.

Co-founding Product and Insights Lead of Alt+Shift, an inclusive marketplace and community for retail investors to discover, learn, and invest in startups and private companies. I led qualitative and quantitative customer insights and user research-driven product strategy, iterative prototype experimentation, market sizing, and growth marketing (social media, newsletter), as well as making evidence-led pitches to C-level executives. In addition, I was dedicated to leading in a way that promotes a human-centered approach to work life, including a focus on team wellness and effective communication. Alt+Shift was a division of Discotech Enterprises, a fintech incubator and wholly owned subsidiary of TD Ameritrade.Following Charles Schwab's acquisition of TD Ameritrade and Discotech incubator, assumed role as leader of the Innovation Accelerator's Strategy, Partnerships, & Culture team. Guided new team formation, managing five direct reports, as well as developed innovation pipeline strategy and supporting processes.

Chicago, Illinois

As a Director in Harris's Brand Performance and Experience practice, I designed and led strategic research engagements to answer clients' most pressing brand, innovation, and marketing questions. My work included a variety of qualitative and quantitative projects answering key business questions for clients in retail, consumer goods, and technology. In addition, I helped lead an initiative to evolve the way that we understand, measure, and craft strategies around people's experiences and relationships with brands.

Chicago, Il

Leveraged my background in innovation research, new product development, and business strategy in order to help companies gain insights into people's needs and motivations and design products and experiences that improve their lives. Used creative approaches to consumer research in order to frame strategic recommendations, as well as bringing insights to life by leading highly interactive, multi-disciplinary strategy workshops.

San Francisco, Ca

As a freelance consultant, I have advised on a wide range of creative projects, including ad strategy, packaging innovation, technology for health and wellness, and architectural design. This includes proposing, designing, and conducting primary and secondary research; as well as recommending strategic actions based on user stories and market and social context.

Chicago, Il (Manager, June 2009 - December 2012)

Co-led development and launch of Market & Brand Advisor, which provides clients with a view of their brands’ competitive positioning and strategic opportunities to grow through innovation. • Translated client needs into frameworks for understanding customer attraction to brands, emerging trends, and innovation opportunities• Developed survey methodology and statistical modeling approaches to illuminate customer attitudes and behavior• Designed data visualizations for client presentations• Consulted on customized project designs• Created internal trainings and external product marketing materials• Led a partnership with an external software developer to automate processes• Built and trained a global team of modelers and consultants

Chicago, Il (Analyst, July 2004-05; Sr. Analyst July 2005-07)

Advised Nielsen BASES consultants on project design and ran statistical analytics in order to improve new products’ odds of market success• Provided data-driven recommendations to optimize new products• Conducted a variety of analyses: descriptives, factor analysis, regression, perceptual mapping, segmentation, and discrete choice• Managed and mentored a global team of analysts

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Design Strategy

This unique program unites the perspectives of design and integrative thinking, sustainability and systems thinking, finance.

Bs, Mathematics, Sociology, Summa Cum Laude

Outstanding Mathematics Senior of the Year, 2004 Outstanding Sociology Senior of the Year, 2004