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Sarah Whinnem

Design Systems Lead @ Flatiron Health

Professional Background

Sarah Whinnem is a highly accomplished product design and design systems leader, bringing over 15 years of invaluable experience in the design and technology industries. With an impressive track record of transforming complex problems into simple, scalable solutions, Sarah has garnered a reputation for delighting users through her innovative approach to product design. Throughout her diverse career, she has held various influential roles, showcasing her ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Sarah’s career journey includes impressive stints as the Lead Design Systems Manager at Flatiron Health, where she was instrumental in developing impactful design systems that enhance user experience and product consistency. Her passion for creating design solutions that are not only functional but also enjoyable for users has driven her success across multiple positions, including Lead Product Design Manager and Senior Product Designer at the same organization.

In addition to her impactful leadership roles at Flatiron Health, Sarah has also served as a Principal Product Designer at Fundera, where she played a crucial role in shaping the design for financial products that cater to small business needs. In her earlier career, she made significant contributions as a Senior Product Designer and Software Engineer at Betterment, further diversifying her skill set in both design and engineering.

Sarah's career trajectory has allowed her to develop a holistic understanding of product development, integrating her design expertise with technical know-how to deliver exceptional outcomes at every stage of the product lifecycle. Her partners at Madyson Designs benefitted from her insights as a Product Design Consultant, where she provided tailored strategies that helped clients enhance their product offerings.

Education and Achievements

Sarah’s educational foundation in graphic design has served as a springboard for her professional success. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design from American InterContinental University, where she honed her artistic skills and understanding of design principles. This formal training in graphic design was further complemented by her studies in Graphic Design and Multimedia at Manchester Community College, ensuring a well-rounded education that encompasses both creativity and technical proficiency.

Throughout her career, Sarah has achieved numerous milestones, both individually and as part of high-performing teams. She has successfully led projects that focus on UI/UX design, instinctively knowing how to connect user needs with business goals. Her ability to foster collaboration across departments ensures that products not only meet but exceed expectations, right from the conceptual phase through to launch.

Achievements

Some of Sarah's most notable achievements include:

  • Developing industry-leading design systems at Flatiron Health that have significantly improved productivity for design teams while ensuring a consistent user experience across multiple platforms.
  • Leading cross-functional teams to develop innovative financial products at Fundera, effectively influencing over 100,000 small business owners with easy-to-use financial solutions.
  • Successfully integrating user research and user testing into her design process, which has resulted in higher user satisfaction and retention rates across products she has worked on.
  • Mentoring and nurturing emerging design professionals, sharing her wealth of knowledge to elevate the skills and capabilities of her peers in the design community.

Sarah is deeply committed to her craft and continuously seeks to innovate within the design sphere. Her passion for design, coupled with her experience in leading diverse teams, positions her as a frontrunner in delivering user-centric products that resonate in today’s technology-driven world.

Highlights

Jan 2 · Hartford Courant
Richard M. Whinnem Jr. - Hartford Courant
Feb 27 · Hartford Courant
Pamela Potterton - Hartford Courant

Related Questions

How did Sarah Whinnem transform the design systems at Flatiron Health to improve user experiences?
What strategies did Sarah Whinnem employ as a Product Design Consultant at Madyson Designs to enhance client product offerings?
How does Sarah Whinnem combine her design and technical skills to drive successful product development?
What led Sarah Whinnem to pursue a BFA in Graphic Design, and how has her education influenced her professional journey?
In what ways has Sarah Whinnem contributed to mentoring the next generation of design professionals in her field?
Sarah Whinnem
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Location

New York, New York, United States