About
I lead by building the operating system, not just the output.
Twenty years building, scaling, and leading design organizations across enterprise SaaS, fintech, and consumer. I architect operating models, build systems that scale, and run experiments on what the design discipline is becoming next.
Based in
Lincoln, Nebraska
Frequently in SF · US & remote
Currently
Sr. Director · Branch
Founder · Course Code
Speaking
Convey UX · LWT Summit
Bounce Podcast co-host
Teaching
Maven · UNL Adjunct
Since 2013
By the numbers
20
Years leading design
8
Companies led design at
116
Designers mentored
17K+
LinkedIn community
How I lead
Four threads run through everything I do.
Thread 01
Operating model. Architecture, not just output.
I architect operating models that move design upstream into product strategy instead of downstream into UI execution. At Branch I redesigned the company-wide product development lifecycle. Four phases, named DACI ownership, mandatory success metrics before Build, and a decision loop that closed the gap between launch and measurement.
Thread 02
Systems at scale. Build for the platform.
I build design systems that scale across complex platforms. Auxin at Branch spans a multi-product enterprise SaaS surface, with reusable components, a governance model, and Figma-to-code alignment practices that change the relationship between design and engineering. At Fleetio I built the hiring and leveling infrastructure that grew the design org from 6 to 15.
Thread 03
Business case. Tested methodologies, real data.
I translate design decisions into executive-ready business cases grounded in real data. I don't bring opinions to leadership. I bring tested methodologies and the numbers behind them. The Branch repositioning and Auxin migration together saved $1M ARR after a customer re-signed for three years on the new positioning and modernized product surface. The Linear pilot at Branch delivered 2.7× throughput per engineer on real data. The Course Code AI operating model is another.
Thread 04
Discipline research. Stress-test the assumptions.
I run real experiments on the design function and write up what I learn. Course Code was the most recent. I shipped a live consumer product without opening Figma to test which artifacts in the design process are load-bearing and which exist only because we were anxious. The findings became the operating model.
Where I've been
Twenty years across the work.
Branch
2024 to present
Sr. Director, Product Experience
Mobile measurement & engagement platform. Leading product strategy, design, UX research, content, technical docs, design systems.
Course Code
2026 to present
Founder
AI-native consumer product. 18K+ courses indexed. 5.2K active users in 30 days. 100% organic growth. A deliberate experiment in what AI collapses and what taste protects.
Veer
2024 to 2026
Co-Founder, CEO
AI-powered healthcare workforce platform. NMotion Spring 2025 accelerator, $100K from gener8tor + Invest Nebraska.
Fleetio
2023 to 2024
Director of Product Design
Scaled design org from 6 to 15. Hiring rubrics, leveling frameworks, 150% headcount growth.
GRIN
2022 to 2023
Director of Product Design
Influencer marketing SaaS. Built design org from the ground up.
Hudl
2022
Design Lead
Sports analytics platform with hardware integration. Cross-functional product design.
DMSi
2017 to 2022
Design Director
Enterprise ERP platform modernization. Multi-product surface design.
ORCA.TRADE
2014 to 2016
CMO
Fintech options trading platform. Brand, growth, and product marketing.
Plus earlier creative leadership roles at Thought District (digital agency, $1.2M+ client budgets) and HobbyTown (national retail franchise, helped grow annual sales to $300M+).
Education
Trained across disciplines.
Kaplan University
MBA · Summa Cum Laude
CalArts
MFA · Acting
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
BA · Theatre Performance
Speaking, teaching, writing
A platform for the field.
Speaking
Selected conferences
- Convey UX · Seattle
- LWT Summit · Lesbians Who Tech · San Francisco
- NebraskaCode
Podcast
Co-host & guest
Co-host of Bounce with Claire Flowers. Product team fails, flops, and the lessons that carry forward.
Guest on LinkedIn Live: Finding the right mentor.
Guest on a design leadership podcast.
Teaching
Maven · UNL since 2013
Design Career Catalyst on Maven. 3-week cohort course for senior designers ready to lead.
UNL Adjunct Faculty. Teaching UX/UI design, design systems, and atomic design at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln since 2013.
Voices
From people I've led.
"
Mollie has a rare combination of charisma, exceptional intelligence, and leadership in one human being, and the field of design is lucky to have someone in it with such a skillset. Her leadership inspires confidence and fosters a sense of purpose.
Zeljka Hassler
Sr. Product Design Manager
"
Mollie's extensive experience across organizations and products makes her an exceptional design leader. Her authenticity, passion, and fearless approach to growth will leave you feeling empowered.
Mandi Saeteun
Product Design Manager
"
One of the standout qualities of Mollie is her commitment to mentorship. She invests time in developing her team's skills, encouraging them to push boundaries and explore new ideas.
Dani Weidner
Senior Product Designer
"
Mollie's mentorship was transformative for my career. She consistently set clear goals, provided actionable feedback, and created opportunities for me to stretch and develop new skills.
Jeff Nissen
Senior Product Designer
Read more testimonials from designers I've taught and mentored →
Outside of work
Where I actually live.
I play golf with a 13 handicap and a real obsession with the women's game (which is partly how Course Code happened). I live in Lincoln with deep roots in the Midwest tech and creative community.
Trained originally as a theater performer (BA from UNL, MFA from CalArts) before pivoting to design. The performance training shows up in how I lead. Direct, present, and willing to take up space when the work calls for it.
Get in touch