Available to hire
Hi, I’m Laura Ellison, a UX Design Lead and Consultant with extensive experience leading digital transformations for Enterprise SaaS and eCommerce applications in highly regulated industries. I specialize in simplifying complex business processes into intuitive user experiences that align with strategic business goals. I love collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
I am passionate about creating products that balance business needs and user preferences. With over two decades in UX design and a pragmatic, results-oriented approach, I pride myself on being a straight-shooter who hits the ground running and delivers impactful solutions across various industries, including automotive, financial services, medical devices, and consumer electronics.
Skills
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Language
English
Fluent
German
Intermediate
French
Beginner
Work Experience
Founder / Principal / UX Design Consultant at Leopard Design, Inc.
January 1, 1998 - PresentServe as UX Design/Architect/Strategy Lead Consultant for Enterprise/SaaS/B2B and eCommerce/B2C projects. Assist clients from Fortune 100 to start-ups, in reducing costs, increasing revenues, and attaining strategic business goals. Modernize older apps and build new apps to achieve business objectives. Led successful product launches for V1 and MVP releases for iOS, Android, Responsive & Salesforce apps. Digital transformation of complex SaaS products for high-profile Enterprise clients.
UX Design Lead | EHR SaaS | Consultant at Beckman Coulter
October 1, 2023 - PresentHired as UX Design Lead Consultant for high-profile SMART on FHIR within EHR SaaS application used by doctors and nurses for new feature on Sepsis Risk. Designed disciplined UX solutions to complex, data-dense applications in collaboration with scientific stakeholders, including complex data visualization analytics. Created Figma prototypes for user testing prior to FDA compliance submission.
Experience Design Lead | Consultant at Thomson Reuters: Elite Technology
November 30, 2023 - July 16, 2025Experience Design Lead Consultant for digital transformation of legacy SaaS Financial and Practice Management software for Law Firms. Designed strategic UX improvements in collaboration with Legal Product Managers, transforming customer experience from frustration to satisfaction.
UX Design Lead | Salesforce CRM | Consultant at AssuredPartners
July 31, 2023 - July 16, 2025UX Design Lead Consultant for Salesforce CRM (Financial Services Cloud) targeting Insurance Producers, Sales Leaders, and Agency Presidents using Salesforce Lightning Design System. Designed clean modern UX solutions, optimized homepage layouts, advocated for color and accessibility compliance, and collaborated closely with product and engineering teams under real-world constraints.
Experience Design Lead | Salesforce | Consultant at Toyota Motor North America
August 31, 2022 - July 16, 2025Experience Design Lead Consultant for digital transformation of legacy Dealer and Agent/Finance SaaS/Enterprise apps across Mazda, Toyota/Lexus, and BassPro brand tenants using Salesforce Lightning Design System. Designed clean and modern UX adhering to style guidelines, recommended strategic improvements, and collaborated with Engineering to ensure faithful implementation.
UX Strategist/Researcher | Freelance Consultant at Cyborg Mobile
September 30, 2021 - July 16, 2025Conducted heuristic evaluation of enterprise training application focused on Admin and Learner users. Recommended strategic improvements for usability and compliance. Conducted UX research for a confidential client including comparative research and user interviews.
UX Design Lead | CPQ | Consultant at NetApp
May 31, 2020 - July 16, 2025UX Design Lead Consultant for high-profile V1 CPQ app leveraging Oracle Cloud CPQ and Oracle JET UI. Designed clean and modern UX solutions for complex business requirements with usability testing for both internal and external users. Collaborated with engineering and led successful Phase 1 launch.
CX Design/Architect Lead | Consultant at Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E)
December 31, 2018 - July 16, 2025Customer Experience Design/Architect Lead for high-visibility web apps including payments, start/stop/transfer, and waive deposit. Delivered high sign-up rates, decreased drop-off rates, increased payment arrangements, and ensured WCAG 2.0 / Section 508 compliance leading to fewer customer calls.
UX Design/Architect Lead | Consultant at HotSchedules
June 30, 2017 - July 16, 2025UX Design/Architect Lead for MVP responsive Enterprise app delivering cloud-based inventory solutions for restaurant/regional managers. Developed MVP features, identified shortcomings based on QuickBooks experience, and led successful launch.
UX Architect Lead | Consultant at GoDaddy
October 31, 2016 - July 16, 2025Lead UX Architect for SaaS initiatives, managed on-schedule launch of V1 International Business Email for emerging markets with mobile-first design. Collaborated with product managers and developers, strategized design thinking solutions, and improved user experience for Mac customers.
UX Design/Architect Lead | Consultant at PRO Unlimited
February 28, 2014 - July 16, 2025Lead UX Design/Architect for V1 Enterprise iPhone app WAND, identifying key features for Fortune 100 Managers and workers. Turned around a troubled project, designed detailed wireframes with legal and regulatory compliance, and successfully launched highest-rated app in the industry.
Founder / Principal / UX Design Consultant at Leopard Design, Inc.
January 1, 1998 - PresentServe as UX Design/Architect/Strategy Lead Consultant for Enterprise/SaaS/B2B and eCommerce/B2C projects. Assist clients from Fortune 100 to start-ups, reducing costs, increasing revenues, and attaining strategic business goals. Lead product launches for V1 and MVP releases for iOS, Android, Responsive & Salesforce apps. Spearhead digital transformation of complex SaaS products for high-profile enterprise clients.
Program Manager & Executive Assistant (Contractor) at Ford Motor Company
January 1, 1998 - July 16, 2025Managed OEM international prototype engine build program between Ford North America and Europe engineering centers. Led cross-functional team meetings to resolve design changes, inspections, and parts delivery. Monitored project status and published program management reports.
UX Design Lead | EHR SaaS | Consultant at Beckman Coulter
October 1, 2023 - PresentLed UX Design for SMART on FHIR within Electronic Health Records application focusing on patient Sepsis Risk. Designed complex data visualization analytics in collaboration with scientific stakeholders. Created Figma prototypes for user testing prior to FDA compliance submission.
Experience Design Lead | Consultant at Thomson Reuters: Elite Technology
November 30, 2023 - July 16, 2025Led Experience Design for digital transformation of legacy SaaS Financial and Practice Management software for Law Firms. Designed strategic UX improvements collaborating with Legal Product Managers to enhance customer experience for billable hours, time models, and weekly time lists.
UX Design Lead | Salesforce CRM | Consultant at AssuredPartners
July 31, 2023 - July 16, 2025Lead UX Design for Salesforce CRM using Salesforce Lightning Design System. Delivered modern UX solutions optimizing homepage, color accessibility, and business requirements while collaborating with product and engineering teams. Project involved insurance producers, sales leaders, and agency presidents.
Experience Design Lead | Salesforce | Consultant at Toyota Motor North America
August 31, 2022 - July 16, 2025Led digital transformation of legacy dealer and agent SaaS/Enterprise apps across Mazda, Toyota/Lexus, and BassPro brands using Salesforce Lightning Design System. Designed modern UX solutions and collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure stakeholder buy-in and design implementation via JIRA.
UX Strategist/Researcher | Freelance Consultant at Cyborg Mobile
September 30, 2021 - July 16, 2025Conducted heuristic evaluation and UX research for enterprise training applications. Provided strategic recommendations for organization improvements and guided filtering features based on user interviews and comparative research.
UX Design Lead | CPQ | Consultant at NetApp
May 31, 2020 - July 16, 2025Led UX Design for V1 CPQ application replacing legacy quoting app. Designed solutions within Oracle JET UI constraints and conducted usability testing with internal and external users. Collaborated with engineering for faithful design implementation and led successful Phase 1 launch.
CX Design/Architect Lead | Consultant at Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E)
December 31, 2018 - July 16, 2025Led CX design for customer-facing web apps including payments, bill protection, and account management. Achieved high sign-up rates, reduced call volume, and passed strict accessibility compliance tests. Delivered multiple V1 feature launches.
UX Design/Architect Lead | Consultant at HotSchedules
June 30, 2017 - July 16, 2025Led UX design and architecture for MVP inventory SaaS app for restaurant and regional managers. Developed MVP features in agile environment, streamlining information display and leveraging industry and software knowledge.
UX Architect Lead | Consultant at GoDaddy
October 31, 2016 - July 16, 2025Led UX architecture for V1 International Business Email in emerging markets, managing maternity-leave coverage. Developed innovative business productivity solutions and collaborated with product managers and development teams in Agile/Scrum environment.
UX Design/Architect Lead | Consultant at PRO Unlimited
February 28, 2014 - July 16, 2025Led design and architecture for V1 Enterprise iPhone app, WAND, to support talent sourcing. Turned around troubled project, created detailed wireframes, and ensured alignment for iPad and Android versions. The app became highest rated in industry post-launch.
Education
Masters at Eastern Michigan University
December 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024Bachelors at University of Michigan - Dearborn
December 1, 2024 - December 1, 2024Master of Arts at Eastern Michigan University
January 1, 1990 - December 31, 1995Bachelor of Arts at University of Michigan-Dearborn
January 1, 1986 - December 31, 1990Bachelor of Arts at University of Michigan-Dearborn
January 1, 1986 - December 31, 1990Master of Arts at Eastern Michigan University
January 1, 1997 - December 31, 1999Bachelor of Arts at University of Michigan-Dearborn
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1995Bachelor of Arts at University of Michigan-Dearborn
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1995Qualifications
Member, BayCHI (ACM SIGCHI Chapter)
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2022Member, BayCHI (Chapter of ACM SIGCHI)
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2022Industry Experience
Life Sciences, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Software & Internet, Energy & Utilities, Professional Services, Travel & Hospitality, Retail, Other, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Transportation & Logistics, Media & Entertainment
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