2018 speaker @ Marriott innovation daysSPEAKER ON THE PURPOSE OF WORK - IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SUN AND SUBSTANCE; A PANEL OF FOUR ALONGSIDE THE CHIEF GLOBAL OFFICER OF GLOVAL OPERATIONS AT MARRIOTT.
This was a speaking opportunity for Marriott International's Global Innovation Days in 2018 on an inspiring and relatable topic to a global audience to help educate the Marriott community on Alex's purpose in her own career based on her personal story & journey to UX Design.
In my talk, I discussed how I got interested in the field to begin with and how I now, more than ever, appreciate process over product. Speaking on the concept of "doing something" is better than doing nothing at all when it comes to not just your career, but your life. The event was broadcasted to the larger Marriott Global audience from HQ.
Microsite Naming & branding
DESIGN-THINKING & IDEATION
Internal microsites are built for different departments inside Marriott International for targeted initiatives. During the naming process, the team participates in formal sessions for the name of any tool or microsite. We identify the type of problem that we are trying to solve and brainstorm around the type of product being designed and developed. The naming process happens at the beginning of each product development. Some examples of departments that have taken a part and benefitted from the ideation process are Global Operations, Food and Beverage, Organizational Capability, Finance, Revenue Management and many others.
The Experience Design team would spend specific time-boxed sessions on posting up names that would tell a story and align with the product goals. A lot of times, these sessions were done in shorter increments to get the best variety of ideas. Each individual on the team would vote on their favorite names and we would then compile & create presentations for stakeholders to make their final votes.
2016 & 2017 Mount St. Mary's University Senior Seminar SpeakerSPEAKER ON CAREER JOURNEY & STEPS INTO THE “REAL WORLD” - INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER, INVITED BY A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY FOR 2 YEARS IN A ROW
This was a speaking opportunity for Mount St. Mary's University Senior Seminar class on navigating the real world post college as an alumna, as well as Alex's own personal career and life journey after she graduated from MSMU. I was given the opportunity 2 years in a row to share my journey as a young professional. I discussed topics such as networking, finding inner strength during times of uncertainty, and having courage to step into different career realms that spark interest. I was honored to be asked to speak because it gave me a chance to give back.
MArriott communities of practiceDESIGN-THINKING FACILITATION
This brainstorming session included a variety of creatives from many different Marriott departments such as industrial, interior, digital UX/UI, and graphic designers as well as associates in video production. During the session, the group worked through numerous ideas they had on what a potential design community could look like and what other associates would be interested in. Alex led the first Communities of Practice workshop around the concept of a COP, beginning with the framework around a specific design community. The designers included in this workshop came up with many concepts to help identify what this design community of practice could really look like. The four pillars that the content was structured around included culture & environment, topics, communication methods, and overall goals of the community.
The CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, FRONT DESK VOLUNTEER & WELCOME ACTIVITIES
The Children's Inn at the National Institutes of Health is located at the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. It is a residential space that has a mission of being a "place like home" for families with children participating in innovative research studies. The children and their families act as partners in advancing medical findings. These residents come from all over the world working with the NIH Clinical Center, the nation's premier biomedical research hospital. The Inn's goal is to help foster a sense of community and belonging during their trials, sometimes for extended periods of time.
My role at the Children's Inn was to be a volunteer working every Sunday night as the front desk coordinator. This was usually one of the busiest times for the Inn because of travel arrangements and weekly trials. I would check-in residents, help them with their luggage, and make sure they had the right accommodations for their rooms. Additionally, I gave tours for first time families when they arrived and assisted in activities run by the Inn for the children.
Marriott International
The Washington Post
Creative Writing & Editorial Direction
Designlab