MELISSA KERR.
Design leadership rooted in strategy, culture, and crafT
ABOUT MELISSA KERR
EXPERTISE
DESIGN LEADERSHIP
advanced
DESIGN STRATEGY & VISION
EXPERT
MENTORSHIP & COACHING
expert
TEAM BUILDING & CULTURE
EXPERT
ux strategy & design thinking
EXPERT
interaction & visual design
EXPERT
design thinking
EXPERT
CROSS SQUAD COLLABORATION
ADVANCED
TOOLS AND tech
EXPERT
ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS (WCAG 2.1)
ADVANCED
INCLUSIVE DESIGN PRACTICES
EXPERT
project mgmt - atlassia suite
ADVANCED
figma
PROFICIENT
ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE
EXPERT
Hi! I’m Melissa Kerr, a design leader with over 15 years of experience creating impactful digital experiences and high-performing teams. I bring a human-centered, systems-minded approach to leadership—balancing design craft, strategic thinking, and inclusive team culture.
From shipping award-winning products to scaling UX teams, I’ve worked across industries to help organizations design with intention—and lead with clarity. I’m passionate about creating environments where creativity thrives, collaboration is real, and design drives business forward.
Currently, I'm focused on growing design maturity inside organizations, mentoring emerging leaders, and exploring the intersection of design, leadership, and culture.
VALERII KROTKO
UX Designer | VF
I had the pleasure of working under Melissa’s leadership during my time at VF, and I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive and inspiring manager. Melissa is the perfect blend of professionalism and empathy — always approachable, attentive, and genuinely invested in the success and well-being of her team.
Her ability to guide, mentor, and empower those around her made a lasting impact on my professional growth. Whether it was offering thoughtful feedback, helping navigate complex challenges, or simply being a reliable presence, Melissa consistently went above and beyond as a leader.
Any team would be incredibly lucky to have her at the helm.
Praveena dewar
UX Designer | VF
Working with Melissa was a career-defining experience. As a Sr. UX Design Manager, she brought not only deep expertise in usability, accessibility, and systems thinking, but also rare emotional intelligence as a leader and mentor.
What stood out most was her ability to lead diverse, cross-functional teams with empathy and precision. In global tech environments—where designers, researchers, and engineers often come from a wide range of cultural and professional backgrounds—clear, respectful communication is critical. Melissa excelled at this. She fostered a sense of psychological safety while setting clear expectations, ensuring that team members felt seen, heard, and aligned no matter where they were located or how they worked best.
To summarize, Melissa exemplifies what modern UX leadership should look like: empathetic, strategic, and grounded in both human understanding and business impact. She doesn’t just make better products—she makes better teams.
Kit Silvers
UX Architect | VF
As a people leader Melissa is kind and empathetic while also encouraging her people to do their best work. When I made a mistake we were able to talk about it, come to a resolution, and move on without any detriment to our relationship or to the work. It’s rare to find someone who truly leaves ego at the door and comes to the table ready to make things happen regardless of any turbulence. She is also a great ally and made me feel welcome and validated as a queer and trans person.
I know I’m a better person and UXer because I had the chance to work under Melissa. I would recommend her for any leadership position, and I know with certainty that any team would be bettered by her contributions.
PORTFOLIO
DESIGN & CASE STUDIES
Senior Roles & Impact
VF Corporation, 2020 - Present
Sr. UX Manager
principal ux designer
sr ux designer
ux designer
Blndspt Consulting, 2018 - 2020
art director
product designer
As a senior UX leader at VF Corporation, I lead cross-brand digital initiatives that drive both user impact and business growth. I co-lead a North American Experience Optimization program for brands like The North Face®, Vans®, and Timberland®, delivering revenue-generating improvements across their digital platforms. I also oversee UX priorities for emerging brands, ensuring each experience aligns with user needs and brand vision.
My role also includes managing a team of UX designers, creating & maintaining global design system consistency across eleven brands, and navigating complex platform migrations with strategic oversight.
I’ve led high-impact design initiatives spanning digital products and real-world experiences. I’ve helped shape design at both strategic and executional levels while being the Product Owner and Art Director for the Team USA Olympic app redesign.
My work here also includes directing UX for Frontier Airlines’ new kiosk & dashboard web software, leading contextual research at Denver International Airport, and collaborating closely with engineers to deliver intuitive, user-centered solutions.
Along the way, I’ve fostered strong team culture through intentional collaboration and meaningful team-building—both in and out of the office.
Simpleview, Inc, 2012 - 2017
sr interactive designer
The University of Arizona,
The Institute of the Environment, 2009 - 2012
Sr graphic designer
I managed tourism-focused digital projects that consistently met year-over-year goals while strengthening client relationships. As a key contributor to the award-winning Visit Norway website, I helped deliver a standout user experience.
One of my proudest accomplishments was leading a shift toward deeper collaboration between engineering and creative teams—bridging gaps, improving communication, and fostering mutual understanding that elevated the quality of our work.
I led a cross-functional team to elevate institutional visibility and achieve key marketing goals. Highlights include launching a campus-wide photography competition to boost engagement, establishing the university’s social media presence, and managing integrated campaigns across departments.
I also developed the visual identity and oversaw marketing for the 2012 International Climate Change Conference, bringing global attention to the event.
Southwest University of Visual Arts, 2009
ADJUNCT FACULTY
As an Adjunct Faculty member at Southwest University of Visual Arts, I taught Grid Layout and Color Theory to undergraduate design students, for two semesters. My approach focused on bridging foundational design principles with real-world application, helping students build strong visual communication skills.
I led intimate classes of around 15 -20 students, fostering hands-on learning, thoughtful critique, and creative growth.