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Summarize your role at the company: As a Sr. UX/UI Designer I’m responsible for planning and executing a design strategy that’s aligned with product and corporate goals. I’m always working across all of the products and services Parchment offers. I’m continuously working on our UI design system, and always evangelizing user centered design thinking. Information architecture, prototyping design concepts, user research, and working with development teams are things that typically keep me busy. It’s a dream job that’s extremely rewarding with lots of influence on product and design direction.

What’s unique about Parchment’s culture? The word “genuine” comes to mind. I think culture is critical to a great performing company and what’s awesome about Parchment’s culture is it’s genuine. There are lots of traditions and events that have contributed to the culture we have today. It’s cultivated authentically through the people within the organization and embodies so many great qualities and opportunities. There’s nothing better than working alongside great people.

Where is your hometown? Bridgeview, IL. Small suburb just outside of Chicago on the SW side.

What was the weirdest job you’ve ever had? I’ve been pretty fortunate to land good jobs throughout my working years. Although not super weird, one of the most unique jobs I’ve had was while I was in college. I was hired every October to paint large format murals and scenery for a haunted house with paint that was only visible under black light. I had an airbrush & sprayer technique that created a super cool and eerie look.

How do you define success? Waking up each day?? LOL! Joking, but also sort of a real answer. My grandfather always used to say, “If you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything.” As I get older that resonates more and more with me. I think success is just being able to smile and appreciate what you have. Replacing “I have to…” with “I get to…” and making the most of every opportunity. Being a good father, husband, friend, co-worker etc. If you can look back at yourself with dignity and pride, then I’d say that’s success.

Tell us three things most people don’t know about you? (1) I love to build things and am always looking forward to my next project. (2) My career in tech started during the dot.com boom. I was looking for a new opportunity which ultimately led to loading up my car and driving aimlessly across the country until ultimately ending up in CA. That’s where I decided to settle and took my first job as a product designer at a small web-based startup. (3) Although my music preferences are very eclectic, a lot of folks are surprised to learn that I’m a big fan of hard rock and sub-genres in heavy metal music.

What advice would you give to recent new hires? I would say you’ve joined an amazing organization filled with incredibly talented people you can learn so much from. Don’t stress if you are not an expert on our products, services, industry, etc just yet, it takes time. Don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone at any time and enjoy the ride!

What do you like to do in your spare time? Playing ice hockey is my favorite thing to do in my spare time. I also enjoy swimming, bowling and going to a good concert whenever I can. I actually enjoy doing yard work as well (I find it relaxing), but most likely it’s a project around the house that sucks up most of my spare time.

Where is your hometown?
I grew up in Aztec, New Mexico a small town in the northwest corner of the state. Yay for green Chile!

What was the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Cleaning horse pens – what can I say? It was good money for a 7th grader!

How do you define success?
As a mom, this is a tough one because I feel I spend so much time investing in the success of our family or our daughter. But I do think it’s important to chase your own dreams and goals as a parent. In 2022 I achieved one of these and got my CPA after many years of tests and hard work! I would say a good definition of success is to work hard, be positive and be kind.

Tell us three things most people don’t know about you?
I love to camp (in a tent!). I grew up on a farm. I loved shoes – high heels, low heels, sneakers, I love it all!

What advice would you give to recent new hires?
Ask a lot of questions! There is not a dumb one!

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Garden, cook, and do anything outside (as long as it’s not summer in AZ).

Summarize your role at the company:
As a Software Engineering Manager, I have multiple responsibilities. This includes being an individual contributor to the Parchment application as part of one of our application engineering teams. However, my main responsibility is to make people awesome, whether that is by helping people achieve their career goals, coaching them to succeed in their current role or ensuring they are performing at their best.

What’s unique about Parchment’s culture?
Parchment has an amazing culture that focuses on people. Everyone at the company is always available and willing to help which makes for an incredible work environment. In addition, it is a great place to grow your career, this could mean to improve in your current role, or move to a different area, in any case, Parchment provides plenty of opportunities and support.

Where is your hometown?
I am from Bogota, Colombia

What was the weirdest job you’ve ever had?
Well, I started at Parchment right after I graduated from college so not a lot to pick from. But I did start as a temp scanning transcript for some of our registrar services schools, so I guess I will pick that

How do you define success?
Success is achieving the goals you set for yourself, no matter how big or small.

Tell us three things most people don’t know about you?
I played the keyboard in a band when I was in highschool
I played college tennis
I also coached college tennis as a graduate assistant. And was able to help take our team 1 win away from making to nationals, making it one of the best runs in the school’s history

What advice would you give to recent new hires?
Try and fail quickly. There are a lot of things to learn about Parchment. In my opinion, the best way to learn is to jump straight on the deep end and learn from the mistakes you make along the way

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like playing video games, mostly World of Warcraft and Fifa. I also play tennis every now and then. And hang out with my dogs and family