professional summary
Kristina Sussman is a Senior UX/UI Designer and Digital Experience Strategist with more than 15 years of experience leading enterprise website strategy, digital ecosystem optimization, and is currently working on intelligent workflow design initiatives.
She specializes in:
• UX research and information architecture
• Website strategy and optimization
• Brand Identity and design systems
• Conversion and performance improvement
• Analytics-driven digital decision-making
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy and consulting
Her work bridges digital strategy, user experience design, and intelligent systems to drive measurable performance improvements.
employment history
FREELANCE
UX/UI Designer & Digital Experience Strategist
SEPTEMBER 2025 - PRESENT
Partner with enterprise and growth-stage organizations, including ICEYE US, to lead digital experience strategy initiatives that align brand, user experience, and business performance objectives.
Lead UX research, information architecture, high-fidelity interface design and development across web and digital. Facilitate stakeholder strategy sessions to align business objectives with digital execution.
Design and implement analytics-informed optimization frameworks to improve engagement, conversion performance, and operational efficiency. Contribute to multimedia campaigns and digital content strategies that enhance brand visibility and audience growth.
Develop AI readiness assessments to support future intelligent systems roadmaps, automation opportunities, and practical AI integration initiatives.
U.s. geological survey—RESTON, VA (REMOTE)
Lead UX Designer
FEBRUARY 2018–SEPTEMBER 2025
User Experience & Product Management
Led end-to-end UX strategy and design for internal and external USGS websites using Drupal CMS; served as Product Manager overseeing requirements gathering, wire-framing, user testing, and feature development.
Oversaw UX/UI improvements for award-winning public-facing products including the Volcano Program Monitoring Mappers, Science Product Mappers, Multimedia Asset Manager, Expertise Dashboard, and Drupal Storytelling Components.
Emergency Communications & Strategic Content Development
Supported national emergency responses to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and hurricanes by rapidly building and deploying web content and social media infographics under deadline pressure.
Collaborated with the USGS Director's Office to deliver high-visibility communications aligned with the agency's Unified National External Communications Framework.
Web Analytics Program
Founded and led the USGS Web Analytics Program, delivering executive-level insights through custom Looker Studio dashboards, SMART KPIs, heat maps, and campaign feedback tools.
Developed custom GA4 tracking solutions to fill data gaps and inform evolving content and digital strategies.
Atlassian Suite Administration
Administered Jira Software, Jira Service Management, and Confluence across the Office of Communications and Budget; managed ATO compliance, security coordination, and licensing.
Configured 30+ custom Jira/Confluence projects supporting agile workflows, editorial calendars, and cross-team reporting.
madison river group + enc strategy
Freelance UX/UI Designer & Marketing Strategist
MAY 2017–FEBRUARY 2018
Developed brand strategy and marketing systems for clients including Montana State University, the University of Montana, the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD).
Led UX and visual design for client websites; produced social media strategies, email marketing, direct mail, and trade show exhibit materials.
U.s. geological survey—RESTON, VA
Lead Web Designer
JANUARY 2013–APRIL 2017
Led enterprise UX strategy and information architecture for the redesign of USGS.gov, aligning user needs with Bureau-wide business objectives across a complex, multi-site Drupal CMS ecosystem.
Directed a nationwide IA initiative engaging 450+ stakeholders to define personas, top tasks, navigation systems, and scalable content frameworks. Translated strategy into wireframes, design systems, and production-ready Drupal templates in close collaboration with development teams, ensuring accessibility (Section 508) and design integrity.
Established CMS governance and delivered Drupal training programs for 100+ content managers, supporting enterprise adoption and content standardization. Produced executive-level communications and modernization roadmaps to secure leadership alignment.
Contributed to usability testing and analytics strategy, defining performance benchmarks and driving post-launch optimization through data-informed UX improvements.
ENC STRATEGY—MCLEAN, VA
Art Director
SEPTEMBER 2011–JANUARY 2013
Designed UX wireframes, mockups, and interfaces for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website.
Designed a Section 508-compliant responsive website for the USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO); contributed to the team's 2012 Silver Davey Award.
Created visual assets for NetApp, Swish Data, NACD, StorageHawk, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — including brand identities, web design, video production, and print.
sallie mae—RESTON, VA
Graphic Designer
OCTOBER 2008–JULY 2011
Designed cross-channel marketing materials across multiple business units including Branding, Partner Channels, Government Relations, and Upromise Rewards.
Led design of the Smart Option Student Loan sales toolkit (print, video, digital landing page) for the national sales team.
Contributed UX wireframes and UI enhancements to the student loan application flow — supporting 1.2 million loan application submissions.
Designed the Sallie Mae intranet: wireframes, navigation, workflows, and UI.
Honored with the 2010 Sallie Mae Excellence Award — the company's highest individual recognition, awarded annually.
education
SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY—SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV
Bachelor of Fine Art, Graphic Design
MAY 2006
rOCKSTAR INDUSTRY
AI Assisted Consultant Certification
MAY 2026
areas of expertise
DIGITAL EXPERIENCE STRATEGY and optimization
Digital experience strategy • Enterprise UX strategy • Digital ecosystem audits • Customer journey mapping • Conversion rate optimization (CRO) • Brand and business alignment workshops • Information architecture strategy • Analytics-driven decision frameworks • Performance KPI definition • 90-day digital roadmapping • AI opportunity mapping for business workflows
UX/UI design + design systems
User experience (UX) design • User interface (UI) design • Responsive web design • Design systems development • Accessibility compliance (Section 508 & WCAG principles) • U.S. Web Design Standards • High-fidelity prototyping • Wireframing • Interaction design • Conversion-focused interface design
Tools: Figma • Sketch • Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, XD) • Webflow • Balsamiq • OmniGraffle • InVision • Canva
User research, testing + analytics
Stakeholder interviews • Requirements gathering • Usability testing • A/B testing • Heuristic evaluation • Quantitative and qualitative research • Behavioral analytics interpretation • Dashboard development for leadership
Platforms: Google Analytics (UA & GA4) • Google Tag Manager • Hotjar • Crazy Egg • Optimal Workshop
web architecture + CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
HTML • CSS • Responsive development principles • CMS governance • Content strategy alignment • Enterprise Drupal CMS implementation • WordPress • SharePoint • Content manager training & enablement • HubSpot
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY + INTELLIGENt SYSTEMS
AI readiness assessments • Automation opportunity analysis • AI strategy consulting • Value and workflow mapping • Data audit preparation for AI implementation • Level 1 AI integration • Intelligent systems optimization • Business process enhancement through AI
AI Tools & Platforms: ChatGPT • Claude • Perplexity • MidJourney • SORA • DeepSeek
Multimedia + Digital Campaign production
Video production & editing • Multimedia content strategy • Storyboarding • Digital campaign asset development
Tools: Adobe Premiere Pro • After Effects • Final Cut Pro • CapCut • Canva
CROSS-FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION + PROJECT DELIVERY
Agile project collaboration • Jira Software & Jira Service Management Administration • Confluence Administration • ClickUp • Notion • Smartsheet • Monday.com • Microsoft Project • Trello • Enterprise stakeholder facilitation • Workshop leadership
awards
Lead UX Designer, Volcano Hazards Program Website – OCAP Digital Services
Recognized for excellence in web design and user experience by the 2023 w3 Awards. Played a key role in designing a user-centered website that communicates critical volcanic hazard information to the public, researchers, and emergency managers.
Recognized for excellence in web design and user experience by the 2023 w3 Awards. Played a key role in designing a user-centered website that communicates critical volcanic hazard information to the public, researchers, and emergency managers.
Team received additional recognition in the following categories:
• Best User Experience
• Government (Federal) Website
• Best Use of Data Integration
• Science Website
• Best Home Page
• Best Visual Appeal – Utility
• Web Applications and Services
U.S. Geological Survey Awards
2024 USGS Honor Award - Environmental Achievement Award "Sustainable Innovation"
2024 USGS Leadership Coin - OCAP Academy Strategic Communications Summit Leadership
2024 USGS Leadership Coin - Leadership 101
2024 USGS Individual STAR Award - OCAP Academy Communications Products
2024 USGS Group STAR Award - OCAP Academy Instructor
2024 USGS Group STAR Award - Drupal CMS Science Products Mappers
2022 USGS Leadership Coin - COVID 19 Communications Team
2020 USGS Individual STAR Award - Energy and Minerals Infographics and Strategic Communications
2016 USGS Group STAR Award - USGS Drupal Website Launch
The USGS STAR “Special Thanks for Achieving Results” award was for achieving the successful launching of the USGS flagship website and going “above and beyond to define and design the navigation, functionality, interface (desktop, tablet, mobile, multiple browsers), graphic design and layout that not only showcased USGS in a visual and compelling way, but also focused on meeting user needs.”
2016 USGS Leadership Coin - Web Reengineering Leadership
Awarded in recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions to the successful launch of the USGS Web Reengineering Project. This honor acknowledges exceptional initiative, collaboration, and impact on a high-visibility digital transformation effort.
2012 Silver Davey Award
Recognized as part of the ENC Strategy team with the 2012 Silver Davey Award for excellence in print design. Awarded for the creation of a new brochure highlighting the USDA Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) Accomplishments and Capabilities. Served as Art Director and Lead Graphic Designer, responsible for visual concept development, layout, and overall design execution.
2010 Sallie Mae Excellence Award
Honored with Sallie Mae’s highest employee recognition, awarded to one individual annually. Selected for demonstrating exceptional commitment to excellence, continuous improvement in service quality for both internal and external customers, and dedication to achieving success through teamwork.