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Krista Plano
Experience Research Manager at Asana
Professional Background
Krista Plano is a dedicated research manager at Asana, where she leverages her extensive background in graphic design, user experience, and research methodology to lead innovative projects. With a passion for understanding human needs and behaviors through mixed methods research, Krista has cultivated a career that merges creativity with analytical thinking. Her commitment to collaborating with cross-functional teams has enabled her to build impactful products that address significant challenges faced by users.
Having started her career as an Assistant to the Director at the Anita Shapolsky Art Gallery, Krista quickly transitioned into a marketing role at Tamarkin Architecture & Development. This experience provided her with a solid foundation in communication and project coordination, which she later honed in her positions at Thrillist and Churnless. As a Product Specialist at Churnless, Krista further developed her expertise in user experience design and research methodologies.
Education and Achievements
Krista earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design and Art History from Fordham University. This interdisciplinary education instilled in her a strong aesthetic sense and an appreciation for visual communication, which she has effectively integrated into her research practices. Building on this foundation, she pursued a Master of Science in Information, Design, & Technology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. This advanced degree equipped her with the skills to translate complex user needs into actionable business goals, a specialty she is well-known for in her field.
Throughout her career, Krista has held several notable positions that showcase her expertise in user research and product design. As the Senior Lead User Researcher at XO Group Inc., Krista was instrumental in developing research strategies that enhanced the user experience across various platforms. Her role as Co-Founder and User Experience Designer at Milk & Pixels further exemplifies her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to creating user-centric products.
At Asana, Krista has made significant strides in democratizing research best practices. Her focus on facilitating high-impact generative and evaluative research has allowed teams to better understand their customers and effectively prioritize product development efforts.
Achievements
Krista Plano is not only a professional dedicated to her craft but also a thought leader in the realm of user experience and research. Her ability to translate customer insights into business strategies has led to the successful launch of multiple high-impact products. By championing research best practices within Asana, she has empowered teams to adopt a user-first approach in their workflows. Krista's commitment to facilitating comprehensive research processes has been pivotal in fostering a culture of empathy and collaboration within the organization.
With formidable expertise in mixed methods research, user experience design, and project coordination, Krista continues to make waves in the tech industry. Her innovative approach to solving complex problems has positioned her as a key player in the research community and beyond.
