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Peggy Szymanski
International Customer Research
Professional Background
Peggy Szymanski is a seasoned customer experience (CX) researcher with a robust expertise in human-centered product and service innovation. Throughout her dynamic career, she has honed a diverse toolkit of methodologies, including ethnography, linguistic and conversation analysis, and co-design. These skills empower Peggy to deliver actionable insights that drive the design of technology and processes tailored to enhance individuals’ personal and professional lives.
Currently serving as a Senior UX Researcher at Roku Inc., Peggy applies her extensive knowledge in user experience to influence design strategies that resonate with users and elevate their interaction with technology. Her insightful perspectives allow her team to create more engaging and effective user experiences, further solidifying Roku’s commitment to customer satisfaction and innovative solutions.
Prior to her role at Roku, Peggy held several prominent positions within renowned organizations, including as the Principal User Experience Researcher for International eCommerce in Mexico at Walmart Labs, where she contributed to enhancing customer journeys in a rapidly evolving market. Peggy’s earlier experiences include impactful tenure at IBM, CA Technologies, and PARC (formerly Xerox), where her research not only propelled product design but also advanced the field of User Experience Research that considers the nuances of multicultural and multilinguistic audiences.
In her diverse career, she has touched a wide array of projects that span across several domains. From analyzing customer experience in shopping practices to optimizing call center analytics and multi-party conversation design, Peggy has constantly delivered insightful research. Her expertise also extends to mobile communication, educational training practices, museum interactions, and both digital and paper document processes, making her a multifaceted professional in her field.
Education and Achievements
Peggy Szymanski’s educational background reflects her strong commitment to the field of Spanish linguistics and language education. Her academic journey commenced at Indiana University Bloomington, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and Business. This foundational education laid the groundwork for her subsequent pursuit of advanced studies.
She further advanced her knowledge with a Master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Deepening her expertise, Peggy achieved a Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her educational achievements are complemented by her practical experience, which she cultivated as a bilingual 2nd and 3rd-grade teacher at Hollydale Elementary in the Paramount Unified School District. Here, she applied her linguistic knowledge to foster effective learning environments for her students while promoting bilingualism and cultural awareness.
Peggy’s passion for research and education led to a significant role as an Educational Researcher at Los Angeles Unified School District, where she could further utilize her expertise in linguistics to inform and improve educational practices.
Notable Contributions and Projects
Peggy has been instrumental in numerous projects that exemplify her skills in user experience research and customer engagement:
- CX and Shopping Practices: Conducted extensive research into customer experience within retail, providing vital insights that shape shopping practices and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Multi-Party Conversation Design: Developed frameworks that facilitate effective communication among multiple participants, which is essential in enhancing user interactions in various technological applications.
- Call Center Analytics: Leveraged conversation analysis to identify inefficiencies within call center processes, leading to improved performance metrics and customer satisfaction rates.
- Mobile Communication Studies: Explored user interactions with mobile technologies, contributing to honing design practices that enhance usability and engagement.
- Museum Interaction Research: Investigated visitor interactions within museum spaces, offering recommendations that cater to enhancing the learning experience and engagement with exhibits.
- Educational Training Practices: Designed and evaluated learning activities aimed at optimizing educational engagement and efficiency.
- Digital and Paper Document Processes: Analyzed workflows that involve both digital and paper documentation, continually seeking opportunities for streamlining processes.
Overall, Peggy Szymanski represents a rich intersection of education, linguistics, and research, seamlessly weaving together her diverse skills to drive innovative solutions that enhance user experience and impact the broader community positively. Her contributions to the fields of technology and education signify her commitment to advancing human-centered design and promoting effective communication across various platforms.
