Workiva: Enterprise UX Research

Role: UX Researcher

Scope: AI/ML Team embedded on Platform Tooling for WDesk.

Timeline: May 2025 – Present

Overview

At Workiva, I work within a high-stakes enterprise environment, conducting research to simplify complex financial reporting and compliance workflows. My work focuses on bridging the gap between sophisticated technical requirements and intuitive user experiences for accounting and finance professionals. Currently, a lot of my work is on automation and how agentic AI can be leveraged in regulated contexts.

The Challenge

Designing for enterprise means managing high-stakes data and collaborative complexity. I bridge the gap between legacy mental models and modern efficiency by uncovering friction in expert environments. By thoughtfully integrating AI into existing 'pro-tool' workflows, I enable users to meet strict regulatory demands with greater speed and fewer errors.

My Role

While many of my specific findings are protected, these highlights demonstrate the methods and technical rigor I apply to my work:

  • Concept & Usability Testing: Executes iterative study designs to validate agentic AI workflows, ensuring high-stakes tools remain intuitive for finance and accounting experts.
  • Information Architecture Audits: Streamlined navigation structures within the platform to minimize cognitive load during high-pressure reporting cycles.
  • Qualitative Data Analysis & Coding: Synthesizes complex interview data through thematic coding to transform raw user feedback into actionable product requirements.
  • In-Depth User Interviews: Engaging with specialized subject matter experts (SMEs) to uncover latent needs and mental models within regulated, professional environments.
  • Quantitative Data Analysis: Leverages internal telemetry and R to analyze feature adoption and complex user behavior patterns.

Full Case Studies

To maintain professional and ethical guardrails, the following projects are password protected:

1. AI Suggestions in Documents: From Concept Testing to Launch Q1, 2026

Integrated an intelligent reviewer into the reporting lifecycle. Empowers managers to shift from manual line-editing to high-level strategic oversight.

2. AI Spreadsheets: Concept Testing and Impacts to PM org AI roadmap

Focus: Conducted foundational concept testing that identified critical user friction points, directly pivoting the PM roadmap toward more intuitive, high-utility AI spreadsheet integrations. View Case Study (Password Protected)

Access Full Documentation

If you are a recruiter or hiring manager, I would be happy to discuss my process and impact at Workiva during an interview. To view the documented case studies, please contact me for access.

Password: Contact me

Takeaways

Working at Workiva has sharpened my ability to:

  • Navigate Complexity: Synthesizing feedback from specialized subject matter experts (SMEs).
  • Maintain Rigor: Conducting research that meets the high security and compliance standards of the fintech industry.
  • Stakeholder Management: Communicating research value across product, engineering, and legal teams.