Strategy, facilitation, and a human-centered approach that makes work feel like progress
I bring clarity, calm, and strategic focus to complex design problems. I'm a seasoned design strategist and facilitator dedicated to helping teams navigate complexity and drive innovation. With over a decade of experience, I specialize in leading design sprints and workshops that transform ideas into actionable solutions.
🗺️ My Journey
My agency background can be found in design and innovation agencies like ActiveColor and Toi. I currently work with Scorpion where I use design sprints and workshops to help home service companies build better customer experiences. Along the way, I’ve trained directly with Jake Knapp and AJ&Smart to improve my sprint facilitation practice and learn how to guide teams through fast and focused problem-solving.
I’m currently expanding my work through CSUN’s Design & Innovation graduate program, where I’m exploring how design can create more human centered innovations and lasting organizational change.
🧠 How I Work
I believe good design starts with good questions, not just good ideas. My approach is rooted in clarity, co-creation, and momentum. Whether I’m leading a sprint or facilitating a strategy workshop, I help teams make smarter decisions by focusing on what matters most, and moving fast with just enough structure to keep things real and actionable.
I blend design thinking, sprint methodology, and design principles with a calm, collaborative, and energizing style that keeps people engaged, heard, and ready to build something better together.
🎯 I Help Teams Focus, Align, and Act
🧭 Define What Matters
I help teams clarify goals and align around the real problem, in a way that guides everything that comes next.
💡Translate Research to Action
I turn insights into direction by synthesizing research into design opportunities, and using quick prototypes to test and shape what’s possible.
🧩 Support Better Design
I create the processes, rituals, and tools like design critiques, research readouts, and workflow playbooks that help teams work better together and deliver with impact.
❤️ What I Value
I believe the best work happens through collaboration, not control. Teams should trust each other enough to think together and build ideas that no one could’ve created alone. I value progress over perfection, and bring a bias toward momentum because learning by doing always beats waiting for “just right.” I approach every challenge with curiosity, not certainty, asking better questions so we can uncover real insight instead of relying on assumption. And above all, I design with purpose seeking out work that helps people, strengthens systems, and supports more equitable, human-centered outcomes.
🎯 Core Principles I Bring to Every Project
🧭 Clarity Before Complexity
Before we get creative, we get aligned. I guide teams through problem framing and insight synthesis so we’re not solving the wrong problem beautifully, we’re solving the right one with purpose.
🚀 Momentum Matters
Progress beats perfection. Whether we’re prototyping, prioritizing, or roadmapping, I help teams move quickly and confidently so decisions aren’t delayed and ideas don’t stall.
🫶 People First. Always.
Design only works when it works for people. I keep both user needs and team dynamics at the center balancing human insight with business goals to build solutions that are meaningful and durable.
⭐️ What People Have Said About Me
I had the pleasure of collaborating with Zach and his team as a client on a website redesign project for my company. Right from the start of the project I was completely impressed with his professionalism, enthusiasm and work ethic.
Amanda Barker | Goldfish Swim Schools
He’s one of the up and coming Workshop/Design Sprint facilitators, which I had the pleasure to participate in and learned a great deal from. He’s not just a facilitator, but now a well-rounded design strategist that is encompassing.
Aaron Wilson | Toi
He is a passionate strategist, designer, and facilitator - excellent at what he does, and always eager to learn more and grow. Our entire team benefited from his infectious desire to constantly improve. But what makes Zach so special is that he is simply one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
Damjan Krajacic | ActiveColor
Zach is an incredible leader, presenter, facilitator, educator, mentor, designer and colleague. I truly enjoy each and every opportunity I get to collaborate with him on projects as he inspires me to be a better designer every time.
Airi Minami | Scorpion
Zach is one of the best! He is thoughtful, strategic and has a keen eye for design. He also did a fantastic job at explaining the process and helping us understand why he made the recommendations we did. Not only was he intelligent and professional, he was so easy to work with. He was down to earth and made you feel like the smart one!
Will Fraker | Goodfeet Store
I’ve worked with Zach on several design and research projects. He has a knack for quickly sizing up a situation and bringing clarity to chaos. Z’s strategy workshops are fun, innovative and always take our design projects to the next level.
Kristy Kelly | Scorpion