Teako—
An Interdisciplinary
Product & Technology Leader
Product Direction & SaaS GovTech Advisory
Six years of cultivating a strong relationship via leading an innovative beta partnership and serving on the Advisory Board culminated in an in-house Product Director role of two highly technical products. Beta Partnership, Software Architect Project Lead 2019–2021 Advisory Board & Collaborative Media 2020-2023 In-House Product Director 2024-2025 As Product Director, I was hired for comprehensive product revitalization to reverse years of a complex product's stagnation. I reignited cross-functional team momentum, reprioritized product enhancements, and built a robust new sales pipeline. My first priorities included completing our new search capabilities (ranking, filters, normalization) based on beta feedback, while ensuring critical compliance standards like NIST StateRamp and WCAG 2.2 (for the product's first VPAT) and launching a previously abandoned UI. My next priority was to drive the future product vision—crafting a comprehensive 2-year roadmap focused on Integrated Experiences, Security, and AI Innovation, which included 49 new features. In collaboration with engineering I roadmapped our first feasible AI features (e.g., embedded language translation, layout generation, HCMS assistant) within my product line; incorporating human-in-the-loop and opt-out principles for government. My engagement with over 25 strategic clients shaped this roadmap with Voice of Customer (VoC) insights, ensuring product-market fit and transforming our go-to-market approach. This led to a 154% higher ACV and 68% higher PPC for our premium multi-product solution. My role extended to our company-wide initiatives. I was 1 of ~20 leaders (among 850+) selected to define the new strategic company position, directly influencing organizational identity, vision, and target audience. During a pivotal stage, I provided critical AI advisory on emerging policy and legislative trends to support safe product innovation and mitigate legal risks for government customers. This expertise, developed through direct conference engagement with AI leaders and government officials (local, UN, Senate, White House), was also bolstered by an intensive MIT Data Science/AI certification. My thought leadership on AI initiatives aimed to influence Product in emerging Explainable AI (XAI) strategies essential to GovTech. Applicable Case-Studies Influencing GovTech's AI Future. Regulation Research, Blind Spots, and Product Innovation 🔓 Request Access Product Revitalization & Growth Strategy—Changing Trajectory of GovTech SaaS Products 🔓 Request Access AWS GenAI Grant Exploration… Catalyzing The Products Made For Public Sector Innovation 🔓 Request Access What People Say + Connect!
Software Architect Engineer
As a Software Architect Engineer in the Sandy City Mayor's Office, I spearheaded the digital transformation for 100,000 residents across 30 departments, overseeing all public-facing communication technology, strategic roadmaps, RFPs, and tech procurement. In addition, my scope included the onboarding and cross-training of 30+ web editors. As a founding member of the City Innovation Committee and a national Client Advisory Board representative, I championed modern tech and integrated user experiences. In 2019, I led the implementation an API-powered infrastructure (5 websites, progressive web apps, composable forms, payments, GIS-powered CRM), significantly boosting website metrics (75% user, 50% page view, 65% visit rate increase in one year post launch). Negotiations of this deal was entrusted to me and market research for contract renewal highlighted that I delivered a substantial financial savings of at minimum $500,000 in the first three years when compared to closest private sector options. Initial administration support of digital transformation empowered my tech leadership to ensure continuous public access and engagement, even during COVID-19. I bolstered resident outreach by aggregating contact lists from 12k to ~42k and configured our robust GIS-powered CRM for multi-channel communication (email/text/robocalls); crucial for geo-targeted emergency communication during the pandemic, water crisis, and earthquake (I served as our FEMA-certified JIC Web and Digital Manager in the EOC). In 2020, we led local government in early AI adoption. I handled the implementation, configuration, and training protocols of our AI chatbots while influencing key feature enhancements. This immediately saved the city $17,745 in customer service engagement, with our bots ultimately achieved a 90% self-service rate (highest among vendor clients). Post-pandemic our CRM enabled extensive marketing for large city events like the major artist concerts at the Amphitheater and large events (37k attendees). These years in digital transformation and national software influence earned five national awards, including a prestigious Savvy Award for our AI Chatbot and Best of State, for our web based community resources, positioning Sandy City as a Smart City and GovTech leader. As a member of the communications team, my influence extended to representing the city as a speaker at conferences, webinars, and delivering the Mayor-selected 2023 commencement address at Beehive Science and Technology Academy, Utahs #1 ranked high school. Applicable Case-Studies City Integrated Platform Implementation A Backbone Of Digital Transformation Read Case Study Specialty Websites: Enhancing Community Engagement On A Shoe-String Budget Read Case Study Designing an End-to-End Theater Inventory Rental System for Seamless Arts Access Read Case Study Come Hell or High Water… Honing Precise Resident Emergency Communication Read Case Study What People Say + Connect!
Community Leadership & Teaching
My experience as a Community Leader & Tech Educator is fueled by a lifestyle and methodology. I immerse myself in complex topics, simplify them to be relatable and, whenever possible, deepen my own understanding via teaching others thus filling in knowledge gaps. My study of neuroplasticity through private research and at a major workshop in Switzerland revealed how emotional barriers and deeply ingrained beliefs can blindside growth. This awareness shapes my style and has been vital in my own learning and while cross-training diverse professionals throughout my career. In my roles as a software architect and product director I engaged with many non-technical stakeholders who required tech translation they can relate to—this became my specialty. I find satisfaction in teaching challenging concepts and witnessing the moment a learner does something they never thought possible and sees new possibilities. I've had those 'aha!' moments and love to create them in others. My community teaching experience extends 10 years, starting in 2014 while developing a Strong Business Learning series as VP Marketing at First National Bank. I also served as an Adjunct Professor at New York Code and Design (Strayer University), teaching an immersive full-stack bootcamp (React, JavaScript, NodeJS, PostgreSQL, Redux). For Tech Moms, a non-profit, I taught responsive web design, boosting confidence for mothers through tech education. As Assistant Director at ID Tech UCLA, I oversaw instruction and operations for a large global STEM tech camp, managing instructors for coding, game development, and robotics, while prioritizing the trust and privacy of children from high-profile families. Educational Moments What People Say + Connect!
VP Marketing, Design, & Early Ventures
My early career established a strong foundation in design, branding, and strategic communication, progressively moving into technology. My graphic portfolios (before AI made it look so easy) were honed in the craft of professional design principals—strong typography, focal points, balance, negative space, and rule of thirds solid layouts. As an ancient millennial designer 😉 I was in the final class who learned film-to-plate techniques, worked with a loupe, and use a LUCY projector while marking up compositions with graphite by hand. Even now, as a techy, I could still package your fonts & assets, ensure the bleed is right, find the perfect PMS color, tell you the weight of your paper, and work my way around a printing press check. (This type of experience may be why my AI assistant calls me meticulous and apologizes.) My first professional role as a Graphic Designer was at Utah First Credit Union (2007–2011), I managed brand consistency across 10 locations. Designing assets for marketing campaigns alongside my Creative Director, who did crazy things like hire a fruit stylist so we could create hybrid fruit concepts tied to banking. I also gained international design experience at Acuity Think Sharper, design firm in London—working with major automotive clients. Later, wanting to expand out from design, I dipped my toe in the tech ecosystem as a panel mentor and creative at Wayne Brown Institute (now Kinect Capital). My role involved providing communication feedback on pitch decks, preparing high-growth startups for investor presentations, managing interns, and supporting conference design. During this period, I also successfully operated my own creative consulting business, Mod-Creative, serving key clients including the Division of Environmental Quality and those I picked-up through the Wayne Brown Institute. Later, as Vice President of Marketing at First National Bank (2013-2015), I spearheaded brand strategy and design, collaborating with the CEO and IT to align digital products and marketing, and innovated with a lead-generating entrepreneur community speaker series. This evolved into an entrepreneurial curiosity leading to my co-founding Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School. I integrated my brand-building skills with a dedicated tech and subject matter expert team; together launching cloud-based media delivery, and earning IMDb film direction credits for educational content. Applicable Case-Studies Flowing Freeride Online Snowboard School—Taking The Slopes To The S3 Cloud. Read Case Study Hydroponic Garden Playhouses. A STEM Passion Project To Grow Child's Imaginative Play Read Case Study Early Career Design Samples (Up To 2014) What People Say
Education & Certifications
2025 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Applied Science Certification, Intensive Program Graduate Hands-on AI Systems Python Implementation, Intensive Program (20 hrs/week)Machine Learning, Model Building, Neural Networks, Recommendation Systems 2024 | Pragmatic Product Institute PMC II Certified Product Foundations & Product Market Focus 2023 | Utah Department of Public Safety Professional Certifications Joint Information Center Planning (G291) 2021 | Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Professional Certifications Incident Command System (ICS-100 & ICS-200) 2017 | Makers Academy of London Full-Time Intensive Program Graduate Full Stack Software Engineering 2011 | University of Utah Bachelor of Arts, Minor in French Mass Communication, Emphasis Art Technology 2007 | Salt Lake Community College Associate of Applied Science Visual Art and Design, Emphasis Multimedia What People Say + Connect!
Awards & Acknowledgement
Best Digital Interactive Overall Website Award of Excellence 2023UI/X Designer, Web Developer Best of StateAward Web-Based Community Development Resources Best of State–Utah, 2022Software Architect Engineer, Lead Digital Strategist Best Digital Interactive Other Media, AI Chatbot Silver Circle Award, 2022 Software Architect Engineer, Lead Digital Strategist Best Digital Interactive Issue Specific Website Award of Excellence, 2022UI/X Design, Web Developer Best Use of HumorMarketing Tools Savvy Award, 2022 Script Writing, Video Direction Test of the Emergency Alert System Honorable Mention, 2022 Software Architect Engineer, Lead Digital Strategist Most Innovative Technology Launch Honorable Mention, 2021 Software Architect Engineer, Project Lead Progressive Web App Digital Form Launch Honorable Mention,2021 Software Architect Engineer, Project Lead What People Say + Connect!
Case-Study Below
In 2018 Sandy's digital presence was constrained: a non-customizable website, 10% resident notification reach with too many in-person forms and payments. We wanted multi-channel engagement on-demand, a host of websites, integration options, chatbots, citizen-centric apps, and form workflows with payments we could spin up as needed. SmartSandy: Digitizing City Hall It's More Than A Website! It's A Whole New Platform My Role: Software Architect Engineer, Lead Digital Strategist Timeline: 2018-2024 Hypothesis » We believed that implementing a holistic, API-first Digital Experience Platform (DXP) tailored for government use-cases would open up communication opportunities to improve resident experiences and streamline city operations Personas: Communications Director, Residents (~100k+), City Admin, City Departments, Emergency Management, Content Editors, IT/Web Developers User Stories » As a Communications Director, I need to push targeted, personalized content to multiple channels (website, social, digital display, text/phone, apps) while serving various departments. As a Resident, I want to access city services, find information easily, make payments online, and receive key notifications, so I can save time. As a City Administrator, I want to streamline operations, reduce taxpayer dollars, and improve convenience and safety.and understand resident interactions to assess where to improve. As a Web Developer, I require access to diverse multi-channel tools, code-access, and APIs to build custome digital experiences for the city. Situation » A new, technology-focused city mayor and administration sought to engage in digital transformation led by their newly hired in-house team but faced siloed fragmented experiences and a restrictive managed service website provider, preventing in-house development and strategic innovation that they wanted to drive. Obstacles » Limited Customization & Development: Inability to directly customize our own website. Budget Constraints: Fragmented Citizen Outreach: Direct outreach confined to basic calendar/news notifications, reaching only about 10% of the population Cumbersome Resident Services: Online forms, digital signatures, and online payments varied across departments, often forcing residents to visit City Hall for manual, in-person processes. Custom Dev Issues: The non-structured environment led to a hodgepodge of undocumented custom code, inconsistent maintenance standards, and a lack of centralized repositories. Missing Integration Capabilities: Future-proof features like API integration, AI-powered chatbots, ADA page assist tools and flexible headless content weren't on the radar. Vendor Constraints: Existing private industry platforms often lacked essential government-specific features and came with restrictive user capacities or unaffordable pricing models. Actions » As Software Architect Engineer, I spearheaded the strategic shift working in close collaboration with the CAO and Communications Director. My actions included: Defining the RFP: outlining requirements, diverse user needs. Strategic Beta Leadership: Selected a vendor with similar vision willing to partner Platform Implementation & Configuration: Implemented suite of digital tools, HCMS, launched 5 new websites, mobile apps, digital forms with workflows and developer tools, payment portals, multiple AI chatbots Robust GIS Powered CRM: Advocated for policy changes (with legal) to aggregate contact lists from 10k to 42k for import into CRM (emails, SMS, robocalls, GIS geotargeting) forming the backbone of the city's new communication reach. Emergency Communications Infrastructure: Managed public emergency channels serving as FEMA-certified JIC Web and Digital Manager during major crises (COVID-19, water crisis, earthquake). Trained Stakeholders: Cross trained two web editors in every City department Technical Empowerment & Policy Influence: Negotiated licensing for developer expansion tools, enabling in-house customization and API access, influenced digital RFP process Long-term Value Negotiation: Negotiated a "Lighthouse City" agreement option for ongoing discounts and strategic influence on the vendor's product roadmap. Results » This initiative profoundly transformed Sandy City's digital landscape, delivering superior functionality enabling the city access previously non-existent tools at a rock bottom rate, enhanced citizen engagement, and substantial cost savings. Key outcomes include: Cost Savings: This initiative is projected to deliver substantial financial benefits, with savings of over $500,000 in the first three years compared to leading private sector options. These savings significantly increase when considering more comprehensive competitor offerings, potentially exceeding $1.5 million. Award-Winning Innovation: Recognized in 2022 as the "Best of State" award for Web Based Community Tools, 3CMA Most Innovative Tech Launch, and multiple national awards for website design and the AI chatbot. Enhanced Citizen Engagement: Achieved a 75% increase in website users, 50% in page views, and 65% in visit rates in a single year post-launch, alongside a 90% self-service rate for the AI chatbot (highest among vendor clients). Crisis Preparedness: The platform became the backbone for critical emergency communications, enabling effective, targeted outreach to 42,000+ residents during multiple major crises. Strategic Relationships: Maintained a key client relationship with CEO, Engineering, and Product Executives and a seat on the Client Advisory Board, contributing to product development for 4,000+ local governments nationally. All Case Studies + What People Say
Case Study Below
Beyond the main municipal website, some city departments and partnerships wanted unique online presences for their bespoke brands, specific audiences, and specialized goals. My Role: Software Architect Engineer, Lead Digital Strategist Timeline: 2018-2024 Hypothesis » Utilizing the new tools from our Integrated Communication Platform alongside in-house team expertise, we could create unique, custom websites to match diverse city initiatives, serve varied target audiences, and empower the independence of specialized teams. Target Audiences » Sandy Amphitheater Website: Concertgoers, Event Patrons, Performing Artists, Event Promoters, Community Members. Community Arts Guild Website: Local Artists, Aspiring Performers (auditions), Community Members seeking Arts Programs/Classes, Theater Rental Clients, Ticket Buyers, Volunteers, Arts Guild Staff. Business Connect Website: Existing Local Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Prospective Businesses/Developers, Investors, Commercial Real Estate Interests, Job Seekers, City Economic Development Staff, Chamber of Commerce Members, External Business Resource Community. Healthy Sandy Coalition Website: Sandy City Residents (seeking health, safety, and wellness information/resources), Community Health Organizations, Healthcare Providers, City Departments (e.g., Parks & Rec, Fire, Police), Schools, Community Leaders, Businesses promoting wellness. Situation » While Sandy City underwent a broad digital transformation focus turned to numerous city departments and partnerships that required distinct online identities and specialized functionalities aside from the primary municipal website. These entities wanted custom experiences to effectively serve their distinct audiences and achieve their unique goals. Obstacle/Problem » The challenge was to deliver high-quality digital experiences with specialty brands without resorting to fragmented, expensive, or technically inconsistent third-party solutions. Each initiative had unique content, functionality, and audience needs, alongside the common requirement for ease of management by non-technical staff and integration with the city's overall digital infrastructure. Budget constraints also necessitated a 100% in-house design and build approach for many of these specialized sites. Action » As Software Architect Engineer, I designed, developed, and launched multiple custom-configured specialty websites, all built on the city's API-first HCMS for holistic content management and unique front-end experiences. My key actions included: Custom Architecture & Branding: Architecting standalone, custom-domain sites and developing in-house themes, often in partnership with the Communications Director for branding. Integrated Services: Implementing a consistent suite of tools across all sites: custom chatbots, Monsido (content governance), Google Analytics, AudioEye (ADA), and SEO/content editor training. Community Arts Guild: Delivered an independent branded site and rental management system and a robust set of form workflows enabling the institution to operate separately from the main .gov site. Sandy Amphitheater: 100% in-house redesigned independent full site to showcase world-renowned artists (following a Postfontain deal) Business Connect Website for economic development. Business directory, facilitates business highlights, and links the community to vital external resources and city data actively promoting local revenue growth and the 'Shop Sandy' initiative. Healthy Sandy Coalition Website, a centralized hub for over a dozen external health partners. Built to provide comprehensive health resources; houses the 'Healthy Sandy Champion Program' Results » This initiative successfully delivered a portfolio of highly customized and effective specialty websites, enhancing Sandy City's ability to engage with diverse community segments. Elevated Community Engagement: Significantly improved online access for residents to specific city services, arts programs, business resources, and health information, supported by tools like chatbots and ADA compliance. Strengthened Brand Identities & Reach: Provided distinct online identities with custom domains for key city initiatives and partnerships, allowing them to flourish independently while remaining part of the broader city ecosystem. Streamlined Operations & Empowerment: Centralized content management, automated processes (e.g., event listings, form submissions), and empowered departmental staff with self-management capabilities through training and reference materials. Supported Strategic Initiatives: Directly contributed to vital city goals, from revitalizing the Amphitheater and promoting local arts to fostering economic development and improving community health. Earned National Accolades: Best Digital Interactive Overall Website 2023 for the Sandy Amphitheater website, which was also featured in a news story highlighting the concerts coming to the amp. All Case Studies + What People Say
(and learned a few lessons along the way).
Case Study Below
Using the April 2023 flood season as a prime example, this case study showcases our integrated emergency communication capabilities with our new tech infrastructure. We leveraged our GIS-powered CRM for targeted email, SMS, and robocall blasts, alongside simultaneous updates across our websites, ensuring critical information was handled with speed and precision to reach 100,000 residents. Hypothesis » We believed that leveraging our integrated platform, specifically its GIS-powered CRM and multi-channel communication capabilities, would enable rapid, precise, and highly targeted emergency outreach, significantly improving resident safety and coordinated response during crisis events Years: 2019-2024 (Flood State of Emergency, April 2023) My Role: Software Architect Engineer, FEMA-certified JIC Web and Digital Manager in the Emergency Operation Center Personas: Communication PIO (Public Information Officer), Residents, Emergency Management, City Admin User Stories » As a resident, I want to receive timely and accurate emergency alerts for my specific location, so I can stay safe and informed during a crisis. As an emergency manager, I need reliable tools to quickly disseminate critical information to the public, so we can coordinate effective crisis management. As a city administrator, I need a unified system to manage urgent communications and ensure transparency during high-stakes incidents. As a Communications PIO, I need the ability to create and push targeted messages across multiple channels efficiently, ensuring comprehensive public outreach. Situation » In Spring 2023, Sandy City faced an unprecedented flood warning. Following a winter of record snowfall in the Wasatch Mountains and a season already marked by ongoing emergency communications, rapidly rising temperatures threatened significant and widespread runoff. This dynamic and uncertain threat put thousands of residents in potential flood zones at immediate risk, demanding a rapid, precise, and multi-channel communication strategy. This challenging period was extensively covered by local media: Utah's 2023 Snowpack Breaks Record Sandy City $250K Over Budget for Snow Removal Sandy Declares State of Emergency Sandy's Public Utilities Crews are Working Hard to Minimize Flood Danger Red Cross Responds to Multiple Apartment Floods in Sandy Obstacle/Problem » The core challenge for emergency communication without proper infrastructure is the lack of capabilities for rapid, precise, and highly targeted mass communication during a crisis. Luckily, we laid the groundwork of extensive digital transformation in prior years and learned key lessons managing the pandemic, an earthquake, and other incidents. So when flood season hit we were able to handle this particular event in a systematic way bolstered by good strategy. Key elements included: Real-time Information Dissemination: Quickly updating and distributing critical safety information across all public channels from a single source. Targeted Outreach: Accurately identify and directly alert only the most at-risk residents within specific geographic flood zones, leading to potential over-alarming or under-informing. GIS Shape File Extraction and Import: Coordinating with GIS expert the layered shape files of the snaking waterways (representing flood 200 feet within risk zones) was our contact filter. It required skill in file format, naming configurations and tying it in to the proper contact groups to notify high-risk residents. Coordinated Content & Messaging: Ensuring consistent, multimedia-rich messaging (text, maps, videos) across departments and platforms under immense pressure. Managing Public Expectation & Response: Balancing the need to inform broadly with avoiding unnecessary public panic, especially given lessons from past crises regarding communication radius. Actions » Drawing on my training from FEMA and Department of Public Safety certifications in emergency protocols and experience as a FEMA-certified JIC Web and Digital Manager coordinating critical information for 100,000 residents during major crises (e.g., COVID-19, water pollution, earthquake), I managed the strategic tech during the April 2023 flood season, working alongside the Communications Director and Emergency Manager. My actions included: Collaborative Content Hub Creation: I led the creation of an interactive flood watch hub on our integrated communications platform, collaborating with subject matter experts Public Utilities and Emergency Management. I ensured all critical content—articles, visuals—was centrally managed in the HCMS for seamless, site-wide updates. Multimedia Integration: I configured video assets into a specially branded playlist using integrated widgets, and linked directly to the GIS team's interactive flood zone map. GIS-Powered Targeted Communications: Working closely with City Esri GIS experts in a new way. I received and uploaded layered shape files of the snaking waterways (200 feet within risk zones) into our GIS-Powered CRM. Purpose Built Contact Templates: Used my pre-built, mobile-optimized email/SMS template, and executed targeted blasts to the Emergency contact list (aggregated from utility billing and departments). Strategic Audience Segmentation & Risk Management: The GIS integration allowed for precise geolocation, identifying residents with properties within specific flood zone proximities. Data Reports: Analytics on who was reached was reported to the Mayor and emergency officials, informing critical decisions on communication radius to balance public safety with preventing undue panic. This was a direct application of lessons learned from past crises, ensuring sufficient reach while mitigating unnecessary alarm. Results » The comprehensive emergency communication strategy, powered by our DXP and GIS-integrated CRM, yielded significant positive outcomes during the Spring 2023 flood threat: Enhanced Public Safety & Precision: Tech infrastructure remained the backbone for critical information dissemination during multiple major crises, ensuring timely alerts reached residents via precise, geo-targeted filtered communications Operational Efficiency: Automated and streamlined complex mass communication processes, such as prebuilt templates drastically improving the speed and effectiveness of city-wide emergency alerts through the CRM and GIS integration. Quantifiable Reach & Geotargeted Reach: Expanded digital contact lists by over 250% from pre digital transformation kick-off 2018 significantly increasing the city's ability to engage residents directly. Proven Reliability: The system was battle-tested during other crisis events (pandemic, fluoride water issues, earthquake, and chemical gas leak), demonstrating its resilience and effectiveness under extreme pressure. Minimized Widespread Damage & Enhanced Preparedness: Despite severe flood concerns, Sandy City largely avoided widespread structural damage. Proactive, multi-channel communications prepared residents, leading to extensive community participation in sandbagging and a successful post-threat sandbag pickup via targeted email notifications. [Source: KSL News]] Localized Impact Management: While the broader threat was mitigated, localized flooding did occur in specific residential areas. Four apartment units were impacted, where the Red Cross provided assistance to 13 displaced individuals. These instances were addressed and contained. [Source: KSL News Radio] Zero Fatalities or Injuries: Most importantly, no deaths or injuries were reported across Sandy City directly related to the 2023 flood event, underscoring the success of proactive communication and preparedness efforts in safeguarding community members from the broader threat. Sustained Emergency Preparedness: Beyond immediate crisis response, we maintain high readiness through FEMA and Department of Public Safety certifications on emergency protocols. We conduct annual system testing, notably coordinating with the Great Utah ShakeOut, where I technically facilitate drills. These exercises intentionally drive additional sign-ups to maximize public reach and ensure ongoing coordination. Award-Winning Platform: Strategies like these contributed to the overall platform's "Best of State" award for Web Based Community Tools. Also recognized for a Most Innovative Tech Launch award by 3CMA recognizing the integrated communication infrastructure ahead of it's time in the 2018-2020 era of local gov. All Case Studies + What People Say
Case Study Below
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Building An AI-Powered Music Recommendation System
Case Study Below
Throughout history, people have turned to music for enjoyment, delight, discovery, and stress relief. Today, unlike the radio-dominated era of a few decades ago, a handful of hit songs no longer dominate the airwaves. Now online streaming dominates; this means that masses of unknown artists compete alongside big hitmakers and the digital music landscape is intensely competitive. Unlike the mix-tapes of yesterday, today music enthusiasts pride themselves on curating their personality in playlists. Spotify is at the fore-front of loved streaming services, but with technology comes competition vying for user engagement. This MIT Capstone project involved building an AI-powered music recommendation system for a major streaming platform, translating complex data science into actionable business strategies to enhance user engagement and drive revenue. Effective, personalized recommendation systems driven by machine learning and AI techniques are essential for addressing this challenge. They are a primary driver of user satisfaction, listening time, and, ultimately, the success of a music streaming platform. Poor recommendations lead to user frustration and churn; good recommendations foster discovery and loyalty, translating to increased subscription revenue and a valuable platform. Hypothesis » We believed that by developing a robust, hybrid music recommendation system, an audio content provider could effectively predict user preferences, thereby significantly increasing customer time spent on the platform and enhancing their overall experience and loyalty. My Role: AI/Data Science Practitioner (Low-Code Approach), Business Insights & Strategy Lead Years: 2024-2025 (MIT certification timeline) Personas: Audio Streaming Service (e.g., Spotify), Data Science Leads, Business Stakeholders, Product Managers, Music Consumers User Stories » As an audio streaming service, I need to proactively recommend and personalize content discovery for my customers, so I can significantly increase engagement and platform revenue. As a music consumer, I want personalized song recommendations, so I can easily discover new content according to my taste without tedious searching. As an AI Engineer, I need to build and optimize high-performing AI models that accurately predict user preferences and address complex technical challenges (like cold-start), so I can deliver robust and scalable solutions. As a Product Manager, I need clear business insights and actionable recommendations derived from technical AI solutions, so I can inform product roadmap decisions and enhance user experience. As an executive leader, I need a clear, concise presentation of a complex AI solution's business impact and recommendations, so I can make informed strategic choices on organizational direction and priority. Situation » The 'paradox of choice' is a universal challenge across modern digital platforms, from music streaming services like Spotify to e-commerce sites and content-rich websites like Amazon. As the volume of available content explodes, the ability to effectively guide users to relevant material directly impacts engagement, revenue, and loyalty. Weak or unpersonalized recommendations lead to user frustration and churn, while effective systems are crucial for discovery and retention. My capstone project addresses this critical need using the digital music streaming landscape as a focused example. Obstacle/Problem » The core challenge was to build a sophisticated recommendation system capable of accurately predicting user preferences and proposing the top 10 songs based on listening likelihood. Beyond technical implementation, the critical obstacle for business stakeholders was to translate complex algorithmic outputs into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations that could directly drive business decisions and improve customer experience, especially when not directly involved in hands-on coding. This required addressing data sparsity, skewed play count distributions, and temporal biases inherent in large interaction datasets, while ensuring recommendations worked for diverse user types, including new users (cold-start problem). Action » As Product Director and professional participating in an intensive MIT Data Science/AI program, I chose this capstone project as it reflected a key service I wanted to improve on my own product line. I also delivered a report for my final submission emphasizing a managerial and business-focused approach over those in the program for a pure engineering data-science purposes. My actions included: Comprehensive Data Exploration & Preprocessing: Utilizing a subset of the Million Song Dataset (2M user interactions, 1M song metadata), I performed exploratory data analysis, addressed data sparsity and skew through rigorous filtering (e.g., minimum play counts, active users/songs). This resulted in a refined dataset of 117,876 interactions for 3,155 unique users and 563 unique songs. Multi-Model Development & Evaluation: I implemented and compared five core recommendation algorithms: Rank-Based (Popularity), User-User Collaborative Filtering, Item-Item Collaborative Filtering, Matrix Factorization (SVD), and Co-Clustering. I also developed a Content-Based system to address cold-start scenarios. Model performance was optimized through hyperparameter tuning using GridSearchCV with 3-fold cross-validation, with a focus on business-relevant metrics like Precision@10, Recall@10, and F1-score@10, over RMSE. Strategic Solution Design: Based on my evaluation on what was covered in the course, I proposed an optimized SVD model as the primary recommendation engine due to its predictive accuracy (lowest RMSE of 1.0141) and robustness to cold-start scenarios. To address limitations and maximize real-world applicability, I designed a hybrid recommendation system, blending SVD with a content-based component (for new users/songs and diversity) and a popularity-based ranking adjustment. Business-Oriented Reporting & Presentation: My primary deliverable was a comprehensive business report and a live slide presentation, designed an executive audience. This focused on translating complex technical findings into clear problem definitions, key insights, and actionable business recommendations (e.g., A/B testing, continuous monitoring, bias mitigation, future enhancements). I covered potential benefits, implementation considerations, and future enhancements, ensuring a clear and easy-to-understand executive summary. Results » Demonstrated AI Expertise & Strategic Ability: In a short period I learned the key basis of advanced AI/data science implementation techniques in model building, evaluation, and optimization, combined with translating complex technical solutions into actionable business value. Acknowledged for Academic & Technical Excellence: My work consistently earned top evaluations, placing me in the top 10% of the global cohort despite juggling the course with a demanding career. Valued Final Evaluation Remarks: "Your project submission is genuinely outstanding. The attention to detail you’ve shown in carefully examining every aspect reflects a deep commitment to excellence. After thoroughly reviewing each line of code, I am highly impressed by your implementation strategy. Your meticulous approach has led to an exceptional result, establishing a new standard for excellence. Your dedication is apparent in every detail, and I encourage you to continue delivering remarkable work." All Case Studies + What People Say
Case Study Below
As one of the most difficult projects we ever took on, the Theater Rental Inventory System was the final project I delivered to my city after six years in public service. This initiative, had a lot of moving parts technical parts required. The goal was to transform the Art Guild's non-profit community theater organization's manual inventory management into an end-to-end online system, with a visual and highly intuitive front-end design. Hypothesis » We believed that by designing and developing a robust online inventory management and rental system, we could significantly improve operational efficiency, expand client accessibility, and streamline administrative processes for a community theater organization. My Role: Software Architect Engineer, Full-Stack Lead, External Developer Manager Years: 2018-2024 (as part of Sandy City projects) Personas: Arts Guild Manager, Community Theater (High Schools, Small Community Theaters), Legal Counsel User Stories » As an arts guild manager, I need a user-friendly system to categorize, manage, and update thousands of inventory items, so I can efficiently track assets and reduce manual errors. As a community theater organization, I want to easily browse, request, and finalize rental agreements for theater items online, so I can access the inventory conveniently and efficiently. As legal counsel, I need a system that ensures legally compliant digital contracting and signature capture for rental agreements, so the organization minimizes risk. Situation » A non-profit community theater organization (Sandy City Community Arts Guild), whose primary clients were high schools and small community theaters, faced immense operational challenges. They managed a vast inventory of thousands upon thousands of individual theater rental items (set pieces, costumes, props) out of a large warehouse using entirely manual, in-person methods. This led to significant inefficiencies, limited accessibility for clients, and cumbersome administrative processes. Obstacle/Problem » The core challenge was to digitize an antiquated, manual inventory management system into a modern, efficient, and accessible online platform. This required architecting a full-stack solution capable of handling immense data volume and complex workflows, ensuring real-time data synchronization across disparate systems (admin app, CMS, forms), and developing legally compliant digital rental contracts. Budget constraints also necessitated a highly efficient in-house design and build approach. Action » As Software Architect Engineer, worked closely with the subject matter experts and taking frequent field-trips out to their warehouse to understand their needs. From that I crafted requirements and designed, developed, and led the implementation of a comprehensive, end-to-end online inventory management and rental system. My key actions included: Architectural Design & Full-Stack Leadership: Architected a robust full-stack solution (ReactJS frontend, Node.js/Express backend, Digital Ocean cloud deployment). This design was critical for handling immense inventory data volume and complex workflows. Complex System Integration & React App Microservice: Led sophisticated integration ensuring continuity. A custom React-based mobile web application served as the single, authoritative admin interface for CRUD operations, immediately pushing inventory changes to a Headless CMS (HCMS) via its APIs as the central master repository. Real-time Public Synchronization: The public-facing CMS website and rental forms dynamically consumed and synchronized this data in real-time, effectively eliminating manual double-entry and preventing discrepancies. Streamlined Inventory Ingestion: Using the web-based mobile experience for administrators, integrated with a custom content type within the HCMS to receive uploaded items (including photos via the app's camera and API endpoint), massively improving the visual cataloging of thousands of items. Key Problem-Solving & Feature Enhancement: Actively resolved critical technical challenges (e.g., form checkboxes, API integration, quantity logic, data consistency) and guided user-centric features (e.g., "add multiple items" toggle). DevOps and Deployment Automation: Established the deployment framework on Digital Ocean droplets with Nginx/PM2, and implemented an automated deployment script (deploy.sh), significantly professionalizing and streamlining the deployment pipeline. Training & External Developer Management: Effectively managed and directed an external software engineer, providing technical requirements, hands-on guidance, troubleshooting, and code review for successful delivery of intricate components and API navigation. End-to-End Rental Workflow Digitization & Legal Compliance: Oversaw and personally developed a multi-stage, interconnected rental process with strong legal adherence, including online inventory browse, form flows, contract generation, digital signature, and automated approval/payment, in collaboration with the Arts Guild and Legal Department. Results » Efficiency and Visual Asset Organization: The react app improved the manually intensive management of thousands of physical inventory items into an efficient, automated digital process, reducing administrative overhead and manual errors between systems (order forms and website). Expanded Reach & Accessibility: Enabled high schools and community theaters to easily browse, select, and rent theater assets online, expanding the organization's client base and simplifying the rental process for users. Centralized & Accurate Inventory: Established a single source of truth for all inventory data, seamlessly accessible and synchronized across the admin application, public website, and dynamic rental forms, ensuring data consistency and accuracy. Enhanced User Experience & Visual Design Excellence: Delivered an organized and visually stunning front-end experience on the public website, featuring branded colors, card-based layouts, and a compelling hero background video. This design enabled intuitive Browse, filtering by show/type, and detailed item views with photos, encouraging engagement and seamless rental requests. Legal Compliance & Risk Reduction: Digitized complex legal contracting and signature processes, ensuring compliance and significantly reducing administrative burden and potential legal liabilities. Initial Skill vs. Maintainability Post Departure: The public-facing website has remained robust and fully functional since launch. While the custom React admin application, due to its specialized maintenance requirements, was not sustained after my departure. The enduring performance of the core system validates the initial, high-level design and microservice integration which played a crucial role in launching this solution. All Case Studies + What People Say
and Into Your Hands with an Augmented Art App
Case Study Below
Admittedly, unless you are a true art enthusiast, when most people hear the word “entertainment” a gallery isn’t exactly what comes to mind. Museums can feel overwhelming, overly intellectual, and even intimidating. So as a finale to our software engineering intensive we chose to concept an app that could enrich and connect audiences with art in a playful interactive way. Hypothesis » By creating an augmented reality application that overlays dynamic 3D animations and contextual information onto existing paintings, we can make art more accessible, engaging, and educational for a wider audience, particularly those who might find traditional museum experiences less appealing. My Role: Augmented Art Capstone Project Lead, Software Engineer Years: 2016-2017 Personas: Art enthusiasts, museums and galleries, students, educators User Stories » As a museum, I want new and innovative ways to attract and engage diverse visitors, so we can enhance our educational mission, remain relevant, and attract repeat visits boosting revenue. As an art enthusiast, I want to interact with my favorite pieces in new and novel ways, so I can enjoy fresh experiences that excite my imagination and evoke surprise through the artwork I love. As an educator, I want to use technology to create more dynamic and memorable learning experiences for my students so they enjoy going into art spaces. As an art student, I want interactive ways to learn about a piece and its artist, aside from simply reading a placard, so I can remain engaged while I deepen my understanding of art history and technique. Situation » Traditional art viewing experiences often involve static displays and limited information, at times leading to perplexed viewers, quick glances, or outright disengagement, especially for younger audiences or those unfamiliar with art history. In 2017, while some museums were beginning to experiment with digital displays, interactive augmented reality applications for art were still a novelty. Notably, Pokémon GO had recently gone mainstream, fueling ideas for other potential use-cases and directly inspiring the technology selection for Augmented Art. Obstacle/Problem » The core challenge was to design and develop a functional and visually compelling augmented reality application within a limited timeframe (as a Makers Academy graduation capstone project), requiring the rapid acquisition of new software development skills, specifically in Unity, Vuforia, and C#. The project needed to seamlessly integrate 2D artwork with dynamic 3D animations and contextual information, and deploy successfully on a mobile platform for a live presentation and demonstration during the final graduate community event. Action » As the project concept lead and one of three software engineers on the "Augmented Art" project (dubbed "Team Unity"), our key actions included: Artwork Selection: Knowing we had multiple stages of development that relied upon an art piece to have the assets to augment, finding the right piece was crucial. We chose to select an abstract art piece by Wassily Kandinsky and due to its geometric elements allowing for multiple layers of simple shapes we could recreate. Conceptualization and Design: Co-developed the core concept of using augmented reality to animate and provide information about static paintings, focusing on enhancing user engagement and accessibility. We were inspired by the numerous museums in London Technology Selection and Implementation: Chose Unity and Vuforia as the core technologies for the augmented reality application. 3D Modeling and Animation: Used Illustrator and Blender to create 3D models of shapes derived from the selected artwork (Wassily Kandinsky's "Composition VIII"). Animated these models using C# scripting within the Unity environment. Software Development: Wrote C# scripts to control the augmented reality interactions, data display, and user interface. Testing and Quality Assurance: Implemented NUnit for testing the C# scripts, ensuring the stability and reliability of the application's functionality. Deployment: Successfully deployed the application on the Android platform. Presentation: Delivered a live final project presentation at Makers Academy, demonstrating the application's functionality and discussing the development process. Results » The "Augmented Art" project successfully delivered a functional and visually engaging augmented reality application that demonstrated the potential to transform how users interact with and learn about art. Key outcomes included: Functional Augmented Reality Application: Created a working Android application that recognizes a target image (Kandinsky’s “Composition VIII”) and overlays dynamic 3D animations and contextual information, bringing the artwork to life. The application provides information about the artist (Kandinsky) and details about the piece itself. Integration of Art and Technology: Successfully blended traditional art with cutting-edge augmented reality technology, proving the concept of making art more interactive and accessible. Rapid Skill Acquisition: Demonstrated the ability to quickly learn and apply new software development skills (Unity, Vuforia, C#, Blender, Illustrator) within a limited timeframe. Visually Interactive Experience: The application was described as "visually stunning," especially for early 2017, showcasing a blend of artistic foresight with technical execution. Successful Presentation & Cohort Recognition: We delivered a compelling live presentation at Makers Academy graduation. It was considered an honor that our team was selected to go last, earning us extra congratulations from our cohort. The event felt exciting with full audience attendance, including a member of Parliament, furthering the significance of our accomplishment. Real-World Engagement & Future Potential: The Kandinsky augmented art piece was on display for public interaction, allowing attendees to download and test the app for fun. This directly showcased its potential for broader museum adoption. Future features (like video recording, virtual buttons, more art pieces, sounds, music, and iOS support), and its ability to transform art engagement in real spaces were in discussion after it received positive interest from the London Science museum. However, as we were all going our separate ways, with me returning to the States, we didn't continue working further on the project. All Case Studies + What People Say
Case Study Below
Flowing Freeride successfully launched as an innovative online snowboard school, attracting media attention establishing a strong brand and digital footprint that contributed how specialized sports instruction could be delivered. Hypothesis » We believed that by creating a professional, online video-based snowboard instruction platform, we could democratize access to expert-level training, establish a unique brand in an emerging digital education space, and transform how learners accessed specialized sports knowledge. My Role: Co-Founder, Product Development, Creative Director Active Years: 2012-2016 Personas: Recreational Snowboarders (all levels), Certified Snowboard Instructors (as a potential platform), Educational Institutions, Extreme Sports Enthusiasts (planned platform expansion) User Stories » As a recreational snowboarder, I want high-quality, expert instruction I can access anytime, anywhere online, so I can improve my skills quickly, affordably, and safely reducing expensive in-person lessons. As a professional snowboard instructor, I want a platform to showcase my expertise and reach a wider audience, so I can expand my brand and share my knowledge globally. As an educational institution, I want professional, comprehensive and visually engaging certified educational content to supplement students in recreational sports so they easily grasp complex professional techniques when practicing offline. Situation » In the early 2010s, online sports training was a total novelty. Professional snowboard instruction remained exclusively in-person at resorts, with private lessons easily costing several hundred or even a couple thousand dollars per day, limiting accessibility and affordability for many average-earning riders. While YouTube emerged as a platform for sharing tips, high-quality, certified, and professionally organized online educational platforms in sports were largely non-existent, leaving a significant gap for accessible, expert-led training online. Obstacle/Problem » The core challenge was to build a comprehensive, high-quality online learning platform for a niche sport from scratch as a startup. This required developing a balanced, professional curriculum led by a subject matter expert with industry-accepted credentials. We also needed to create a full digital brand presence (logo, website, social media), produce professional video content with custom motion graphics, and establish a independently hosted back-end content delivery system. All of this had to be achieved while navigating an early online education market applied to an inherently offline sport, and as I was personally pivoting from marketing and design into the technology startup world. Action » As Co-Founder I emphasized in Product Development and Creative Direction. This meant I drove the overall vision and execution of Flowing Freeride while collaborating with a small team of experts aimed at delivering an exceptional online educational experience. My key actions included: Initial Concept & Pitching: After reading a entrepreneurial book sparked by spending time at tech start-up events, I created the project concept and led initial idea pitches for the venture, which heavily relied upon my skill-set to deliver. Strategic Team Recruitment: Leveraging my unique network, built through personal connections and proximity to the business community, was essential in recruiting an engaged team with complimentary expertise. This included a highly qualified, AASI Level 3 certified snowboard instructor as the subject matter expert and on-screen talent, alongside an Internet Profit Strategist and Technical Project Manager to manage web development and project needs. Building A Curriculum Methodology and Delivery System: I also developed a proprietary and scaleable course curriculum system and branded it "OutdoorCore™," ensuring comprehensive and categorized lesson topic coverage with scalability that could be applied to future extreme sports topics. Product Line Development: Crafted two key products around expert instruction: “Take Me Pro–Snowboard Training Library” comprehensive online course series and “Virtual Pro–Video Movement Analysis” a service where riders could submit clear videos for feedback. Establishing a Strong Brand & Visual Identity: I spearheaded the creation of the Flowing Freeride brand look, feel, assets, and logo, deeply infusing it with snowboard culture and resort themes to resonate authentically with the target audience. Video Course Development Infused with Snowboard Culture: We offered a structured program with three distinct course levels (L1 RAW, L2 RIDER, L3 RIPPER), themed by typical resort trail difficulty (Green, Blue, Black Diamond), taught by an AASI Level 3 Certified instructor. The curriculum was designed to be comprehensive, covering all aspects of snowboarding, not just isolated tricks, and included: 138 lessons across all levels, logically built for skill progression. Detailed lesson plan segments based around OutdoorCore™ key curriculum coverage. Designing a User-Centric Platform: I led the design and implementation of the front-end website using WordPress, ensuring intuitive UI/UX and a cohesive look and feel. Video content was securely hosted on Amazon S3 and delivered via JWPlayer integrated into our specially developed backend service that managed the log-in members-only website as a secure delivery platform for paid course material. Creating High-Quality Branded Video Content: Alongside our snowboard pro and videographer I directed video content, clean script writing, and editing. I also built an animated motion graphics package using Adobe After Effects to elevate the production value beyond typical online tutorials, creating custom title sequences, bumpers, scene transitions, and lower thirds. Driving Marketing & PR: The marketing strategy was a result of brainstorming that included a PR guru specializing in media. It also including social platform setup and promotion. I directed PR and press efforts. Results » Key outcomes include: Pioneering Online Education: Successfully launched a high-quality, niche-focused online educational platform ahead of its time, demonstrating foresight in digital learning. Pitched the platform to universities who demonstrated interest in engaging. Delivering Professional-Grade Instruction: Provided access to expert-level training (AASI Level 3 certified) at a fraction of the cost of in-person lessons, making professional instruction accessible to a wider audience. The "OutdoorCore™" educational system ensured comprehensive, gap-free training across all critical aspects of the sport. High-Quality Video Attracted Licensing Offers: Delivered video content of exceptional quality, evidenced by IMDb film direction credits and custom motion graphics, setting a higher bar for online instructional material in that time. This attracted content aggregates and I negotiated a licensing deal with an overseas company who reached out to engage. Launch Media Traction: Gained early recognition and validation from prominent media outlets, including NPR Radio, The Chicago Tribune, Fox News, and Park City Radio Youtube Appeal: Segments released on Youtube gained early popularity with top videos receiving between 66k-250k views, this provided a key funnel for course sales. Validated Tech Capabilities: This project served as a direct catalyst for my pivot into end-to-end technology, providing hands-on experience in web development, content management, and digital marketing, and earning external recognition of my technical capabilities. Strategic Transition & Business Handoff: After several years of extracurricular engagement on the project a personal life transition shifted my focus to pursue full-time opportunities. During my exit I delivered the business to the AASI-certified instructor who was the public face of the platform. I retained rights to key components of the brand, ensuring its continued expansion and usage options in the future. All Case Studies + What People Say
Read Case Study Below…
This project was conceptualized to address the need for innovative, engaging, and educational outdoor play experiences that seamlessly integrate with sustainable living and foster holistic child development. Concepting, design, and strategic vision for a line of high-end, themed playhouses that integrate functional gardening systems (hydroponic or traditional soil-based) to promote imaginative play, STEAM education, and nature connection. Mad Scientist The Utopian The Victorian Brief Snapshot: Imaginative Play | STEAM Education | Sustainable Living | Bespoke Design Hypothesis » We believe that integrating functional, aesthetically beautiful garden systems into unique, themed playhouses for conscious parents will lead to enhanced imaginative play and hands-on STEAM learning for children and provide distinctive, conversation-starting features for curated home environments. My Role: Founder, Product Concept Lead, Design Architect, Market Strategist Years: 2020 (Concept & Initial Design Phase) Personas: Affluent Parents, Educators, Children (ages 4-12), Home Curators User Stories » As a conscious parent, I want engaging and educational outdoor play options for my children, so they can reduce screen time, connect with nature, and develop valuable STEAM skills. As a homeowner, I want unique, high-quality, and aesthetically pleasing additions to my backyard, so my home environment reflects my curated style and values. As a child, I want a magical place to play that feels like my own special world, so I can explore my imagination and feel connected to something real and alive. As an educator, I want hands-on, multi-sensory tools that make learning about science, nature, and sustainability exciting, so students are inspired by practical application. Situation » In the midst of a global pandemic, families sought new ways to engage children at home, balance screen time with outdoor activity, and foster practical skills. Simultaneously, there was a growing desire among discerning parents for unique, high-quality products that align with values of sustainability, education, and bespoke home aesthetics, moving beyond conventional toys to invest in enriching experiences. Obstacle/Problem » The challenge was to conceive of a product that could bridge the gap between imaginative childhood play and the tangible benefits of gardening and environmental awareness, while simultaneously appealing to a high-end market segment that values both design and functionality. This required a multidisciplinary approach, blending whimsical creativity with technical feasibility, and strong thematic differentiation across multiple offerings. Action » As the concept lead and design architect, the project moved through several key phases: Inspiration & Vision Casting: Drew inspiration from personal experiences (family gardening, visits to botanical gardens), cultural touchstones (fantasy literature, British gardening shows), and emerging trends (tiny homes, off-grid living) to define the core value proposition: a playhouse integrated with functional garden systems. User-Centric Thematic Development: Conceived and designed three distinct models, each with a unique persona and aesthetic to cater to varied interests and preferences: The Mad Scientist: Co-designed with a child, focusing on playful mechanical interaction and a traditional soil-based garden. Features like a hand-cranked bubble chimney and an interactive doorbell were conceptualized to promote cause-and-effect learning and imaginative play. The Utopian: Emphasizing futuristic design and maximized sustainable gardening with an integrated hydroponic scaffolding system, distinct geometric aesthetics, and a Zen-inspired interactive sound element. The Victorian: A visually elegant structure inspired by grand botanical greenhouses, featuring a unique curvilinear form, expansive panoramic windows, and classic design details like a spade-framed door with a "door-within-a-door" peek-hole and a working roof bell. Integrated Functional Design: Envisioned how diverse gardening systems (soil, hydroponic) could be seamlessly integrated into the structures, with a strategic plan for modularity and upgrade options (e.g., hydroponic conversion kits) to increase market appeal. Material & Feasibility Research: Conducted initial research into durable, child-safe, and sustainable building materials (e.g., specialized woods, composite materials, clear polycarbonate for curved windows) that could support both complex designs and long-term outdoor use, considering options for kit-based assembly. Brand Identity Concepting: Developed distinct visual branding concepts for each model, including unique typography, playful iconography, and overall aesthetic direction to align with their individual themes and appeal to a discerning audience. Project Visualization and 3D Design Scenes Results » The project successfully generated a comprehensive design brief and a compelling portfolio of three distinct, innovative playhouse concepts: "The Mad Scientist," "The Utopian," and "The Victorian." Each model offers a unique blend of imaginative play, hands-on STEAM education, and aesthetic distinction, designed to: Captivate Children: By providing highly interactive and immersive play environments that foster creativity and a connection to nature. Empower Parents: By offering a product that aligns with their values of sustainability, education, and quality, and enhances their home environment with a unique, curated piece. Showcase Multidisciplinary Design Talent: Demonstrated the ability to transform a complex vision into actionable design concepts, integrating product design, architectural aesthetics, educational principles, and market understanding. This conceptual project represents a significant leap in outdoor children's play, offering a path to foster growth, imagination, and a deeper appreciation for the living world. All Case Studies + What People Say
May 12, 2025I had the privilege of working alongside Teako during a pivotal chapter in our company’s growth, and she stands out as one of the most capable and inspiring leaders I’ve worked with in enterprise SaaS. As a Product Manager with a strong foundation as a software engineer, Teako brings both technical depth and strategic clarity to every initiative—especially in the development of cutting-edge AI products.What sets Teako apart is her rare ability to lead high-performing teams while staying deeply connected to the technology. She translates complex technical capabilities into clear, customer-focused solutions that resonate with enterprise buyers. Teako consistently bridged the gap between engineering, product, and go-to-market teams—ensuring alignment, accelerating delivery, and building products that solve real-world problems at scale.Teako is also an exceptional people leader. Even amid corporate restructuring, she remained a steady, solutions-oriented force who earned respect across the organization, empowering cross-functional teams to perform at their best.Any SaaS company looking to build enterprise-grade, AI-driven products would be fortunate to have Teako leading the way. I can't wait to see the impact she makes in her next role!
April 30, 2025I've had the pleasure of knowing Teako for many years, initially as a valued client and more recently as a colleague. Across both capacities, Teako has consistently impressed me with her sharp insights and market knowledge.As a Product Director, Teako truly shines in her ability to bridge the gap between the product and sales, and our go-to-market teams. She possesses a rare talent for understanding the needs of both the market and our internal stakeholders, translating that into product strategies that are both innovative and highly effective. What's particularly impactful is Teako's background as a former user of the software. This experience allows her to connect with prospects on a deeper level, building instant rapport and credibility by genuinely understanding their challenges and needs firsthand. Her clear communication and proactive approach make her a go-to person for ensuring everyone is aligned and working towards a common goal.
April 10, 2025I’ve rarely gotten the opportunity to work alongside someone as visionary and impactful as Teako Warfield-Graham. I witnessed Teako taking a platform that was once directionless and fragmented and then transforming it into a next-generation gov-tech solution—strategic, focused, and forward-looking. Her ability to see possibility where others see problems is truly remarkable.What sets Teako apart even further is her servant leadership style. She leads by example, always putting her team and mission first. Her presence doesn’t just drive progress, it elevates everyone around her. Whether it’s a project, a product, or a person, everything Teako touches gets better, stronger, and more purposeful.If you're looking for a leader who can shape vision, build momentum, and inspire at every level, Teako is that leader. I would give my highest recommendation for her to any organization that she would look at joining. I look forward to seeing the heights that she is going to achieve!
November 8, 2023I had the distinct pleasure of working closely with Teako, and I can confidently attest to her exceptional expertise in both government affairs and technology. Her deep understanding of the intricacies of government operations proved invaluable in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and ensuring compliance with various policies. This knowledge, coupled with her keen product sense, enabled her to effectively bridge the gap between government needs and technological solutions.Teako's ability to translate abstract concepts into tangible solutions was truly remarkable. She possessed a knack for grasping the essence of complex challenges and devising innovative solutions that aligned with both government objectives and user requirements. Her contributions were instrumental in the successful development and implementation of several key initiatives that streamlined processes, enhanced efficiency, and improved citizen outcomes.Beyond her technical prowess, Teako's collaborative spirit and interpersonal skills were equally impressive. She fostered a positive and inclusive environment, actively sought diverse perspectives, and consistently demonstrated a willingness to go the extra mile to achieve consensus and ensure project success. Her ability to build rapport with stakeholders from various backgrounds played a pivotal role in securing buy-in and facilitating the smooth adoption of new technologies and processes.In conclusion, Teako is a highly skilled and experienced professional who possesses a unique blend of technical expertise, government affairs knowledge, and interpersonal skills. She is a valuable asset to any team and a true asset to the field of government technology.
April 30, 2025I had the privilege of working with Teako Warfield-Graham as both an ISV and a strategic partner, and her professionalism left a lasting impression. Teako is an exceptionally organized and skilled technologist who excels at understanding a customer’s unique needs and delivering tailored solutions that drive impactful results.As an ISV, I was consistently impressed by Teako’s ability to execute projects seamlessly, leveraging her deep technical expertise to bring our vision to life with precision and creativity. As a partner, her proactive communication and meticulous organization ensured every collaboration was smooth and with timelines. Teako’s combination of technical proficiency, creative insight, and organizational excellence makes her an invaluable collaborator to any organization.
April 30, 2025I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Teako in multiple capacities. As a customer of our software products, she is a leading technologist architecting highly effective solutions - empowering operational capability at scale. As a colleague Teako demonstrates highly effective strategic planning and execution to drive successful outcomes for our customers and operations teams. Teako will rise to any challenge, identify a solution, and deliver. Any organization will benefit tremendously from Teako’s expertise, creativity, and highly collaborative growth mindset.
November 12, 2023I am pleased to write a strong recommendation for Teako Warfield-Graham, who has been a valued member of our team at Sandy City as a Software Architect Engineer since 2018. Throughout our time working together, I have had the privilege of witnessing Teako's exceptional talents and her remarkable ability to simplify complex technical concepts for her fellow associates.One of Teako's standout strengths is her skill in making complicated things understandable. She has an innate talent for breaking down intricate technical details into straightforward, easy-to-grasp explanations. This quality has not only facilitated smoother collaboration within our team but has also proven invaluable in ensuring that non-technical stakeholders can fully comprehend the projects and their implications. She was relied upon as a trusted technical advisor to the internal city’s administration/departments, and also to the CivicPlus advisory board, as well as other cities.In addition to her exceptional communication skills, Teako has played a pivotal role in building custom websites for Sandy City. Her expertise in web development and architecture has resulted in the creation of highly functional and visually appealing websites that align with our organizational goals. Teako's proficiency extends beyond mere technical aspects; she has an eye for design and brand aesthetics, ensuring that our web properties reflect our identity and values.Teako's contributions are not limited to her technical role alone. She has been a critical component of our communication team, where she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to effective collaboration and timely execution of projects. Her attention to detail, combined with her strong analytical skills, has been invaluable in enhancing our business intelligence efforts. Teako's ability to transform complex data into actionable insights has significantly impacted our decision-making processes.Furthermore, Teako has been instrumental in fostering synergy between various departments within Sandy City. Her cross-functional expertise and willingness to share knowledge have bridged gaps and promoted a culture of collaboration across the organization. This has contributed to improved efficiency and effectiveness in our project execution.In summary, Teako Warfield-Graham is an exceptional Software Architect Engineer who possesses a rare combination of technical prowess, communication skills, and a keen eye for design. Her ability to make complex concepts understandable, along with her impressive work in web development and brand design, has greatly benefited Sandy City. Teako's contributions extend beyond her role, positively impacting our communication team, business intelligence efforts, and various departments. I wholeheartedly recommend Teako for any endeavor, confident that she will continue to excel and make significant contributions wherever she applies her talents.
November 6, 2023I had the pleasure of working with Teako on a client advisory board. She played a pivotal role in shaping our approach to public sector enterprise technology and civic engagement. Teako's collaborative spirit and strategic insights provided us with excellent feedback. In addition, she was an active beta tester and early adopter of several new products that helped us innovate and develop greater solutions.Overall, Teako is a dedicated and forward-thinking individual who consistently went above and beyond to provide meaningful input and support.I had the pleasure of working with Teako on a client advisory board. She played a pivotal role in shaping our approach to public sector enterprise technology and civic engagement. Teako's collaborative spirit and strategic insights provided us with excellent feedback. In addition, she was an active beta tester and early adopter of several new products that helped us innovate and develop greater solutions. Overall, Teako is a dedicated and forward-thinking individual who consistently went above and beyond to provide meaningful input and support.
Your work throughout this project has been truly exceptional. Your dedication to the project is evident in your thorough and insightful analysis, as well as your skillful implementation of various recommendation systems. Your proficiency in EDA, model building, and hyper-parameter tuning is impressive and reflects a high level of expertise. Your ability to compare different models and provide clear, insightful observations greatly enhances the quality of your analysis. Your report is well-written, error-free, and easy to follow, making it a valuable resource for understanding the entire process. Overall, your work is of outstanding quality, and your dedication to delivering a robust and insightful analysis is commendable. Your contributions in this project have made a significant impact.
Your project submission is genuinely outstanding. The attention to detail you’ve shown in carefully examining every aspect reflects a deep commitment to excellence. After thoroughly reviewing each line of code, I am highly impressed by your implementation strategy. Your meticulous approach has led to an exceptional result, establishing a new standard for excellence. Your dedication is apparent in every detail, and I encourage you to continue delivering such remarkable work
March 29, 2024,Teako was one of the first employees that I interacted with at Sandy City while I was being trained on website management for my department, and she set the bar high. She is one of the most brilliant minds I have had the pleasure of working with. Not only is she professional, detail-oriented, and intelligent, but she is patient, kind and receptive— the whole package! She has the left-brain talent of numbers and technology, and the right-brained skills for design. She constantly had ideas at work to help streamline my tasks more efficiently. I loved collaborating with her on projects.Teako and I both share the passion of building our communities not only in the professional arena, but our personal communities, too. She demonstrates that passion in every project she touches. She is always mindful of meeting the needs of others in the community, such as those with disabilities, limitations, different levels of education, socioeconomic status, cultures, race, gender, etc. I cannot recommend Teako and her graciously, brilliant talents high enough!
December 7, 2023It is both a privilege and a joy to share my heartfelt recommendation for Teako, a professional of unparalleled character and an exemplar of unwavering commitment to excellence. I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Teako for an incredible many years, and in that time, she has consistently demonstrated qualities that make her stand out in any professional or personal setting.Teako's personal character is nothing short of remarkable. She possesses a rare blend of integrity, kindness, and authenticity that creates a positive and uplifting atmosphere wherever she goes. Her genuine concern for the well-being of those around her, coupled with a compassionate spirit, makes her a cherished friend and an invaluable member of any community.On the professional front, Teako's drive and commitment to be the very best are truly exceptional. Throughout our shared journey, I have witnessed her relentless pursuit of excellence, an attribute that has consistently set her apart in her endeavors. Her work ethic is unparalleled, and she approaches every challenge with a rare combination of determination and innovation.Teako's ability to give her all in every professional pursuit is a testament to her commitment to personal growth and the success of those around her. Anyone fortunate enough to collaborate with her will undoubtedly find themselves enriched by her passion, dedication, and the positive energy she brings to every project.In summary, Teako is not just a colleague; she is an inspiring force, a mentor, and a friend. To work alongside her is to experience the very essence of collaboration, growth, and success.Teako, thank you for being an extraordinary individual and a shining example of what true professional and personal excellence looks like. I am proud to be your advocate and sponsor, and I wholeheartedly recommend Teako to anyone seeking to enhance their team with an individual of unmatched character, dedication, and talent.
February 25, 2013The Division of Air Quality hired Teako and Mod-Relations to produce a video and companion brochure explaining a public involvement and rule development process to improve Utah's air quality. Teako was able to take very technical, very dry information and present it in a way that was bright, engaging, and could be understood by the public and others with non-technical backgrounds. She works incredibly well behind the camera and made our interview subjects feel comfortable and shine in their interviews. I would hire Teako again for any project.
September 8, 2014The Utah Department of Environmental Quality has hired Teako and her MOD production to assist in developing several YouTube videos - a fun, creative Earth Day celebration featuring kids singing to the tune of "12 Days of Christmas" and a more complicated issue surrounding a proposal to dispose of depleted uranium in Utah's west deseret. Both were varied in complexity and yet captured the heart of the campaigns. She offers creative solutions at a very affordable cost. I definitely felt DEQ received a high quality product. I would highly recommend her services.
July 24, 2014Teako is rock solid professional. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Teako in several different contexts; as a project peer, event planner, and service provider, etc. Our team found her strategic in dealings, thoughtful with peers, and personally engaged in being proud of what she delivers. She’s smart, well spoken, and able to "herd all the cats" you can send her way. I’d recommend Teako for any position be it creative direction, branding, or market strategy, but she’s best when representing you to clients that need to be reassured you really know your business.
November 14, 2022,Lori— I was a student of Teako, and I learned so much from her. She is a very caring and thoughtful teacher. She wants her students too succeed and to learn from her. I enjoyed her personality and teaching styles too. I appreciate her taking the time to give back to the community and teach beginner students with Tech-Moms and how to develop and design a website. Thank you for your after hours help as well.I was a student of Teako, and I learned so much from her. She is a very caring and thoughtful teacher. She wants her students too succeed and to learn from her. I enjoyed her personality and teaching styles too. I appreciate her taking the time to give back to the community and teach beginner students with Tech-Moms and how to develop and design a website. Thank you for your after hours help as well.
Bianca— Teako was my instructor on HTML, CSS and JS during my time with Tech-Moms (10 weeks). I had no prior experience in any of these languages and after my first class with her I felt so inspired and determined to learn! She is easy to work with and she is not afraid to say when she doesn't know an answer to my questions! We research together and she is able to put me back on track and steer me in the right direction. It was an absolute blast to learn from her. I surely hope our paths cross again and we are able to work together in the future. She is a great instructor and very knowledgable about what is currently going on in the tech industry. She will be a great asset to any teaching adventure she decides to take on in the future!
September 3, 2014There are some speakers who dazzle audiences with their extraordinary platform skills. Then there are people like Teako, who has a wealth of experience and a willingness to share parts of herself with us in a most charming and delightful way.Teako's ability to connect with the audience regarding issues facing women in today's business world was both authentic and insightful. She has the ability to speak with her audience, not just talk to them.
