Cyd Harrell
Cyd is well known in industry and government for her creative approach to UX research and service design, and author of her self-published book A Civic Technologist’s Practice Guide. She believes you can answer any question as long as you are fearless and creative about methods. She was the VP of Research for SF-based remote research firm Bolt | Peters until June 2012, when Facebook acquired the company. Since 2012, working with the Center for Civic Design, Code for America, and 18F, as well as independently, Cyd has helped multiple executive- and judicial-branch agencies in the US apply research techniques and user-centered practice to serving the public. When not at the office helping public servants use design for good, Cyd is a mentor for mid-senior UX practitioners. Her favorite tools are metaphor and (metaphorical) duct tape.