I'm Jen Southall, a UX lover with a Product Management background and a focus on building scalable systems and strong teams. I partner with cross-functional teams to streamline the "messy middle" of product development into elegant, functional software. I bring the same discipline to my work as I do to my hobbies: I love lifting weights, doing art, and am a firm believer that the best results come from a mix of heavy lifting and creativity.
I started as a web designer because I loved the intersection of art and technology. That passion led me through UI/UX and product management, but somewhere along the way I realized I am energized from helping great people make great things. Now I spend my time as a UX director...thinking about strategy, unlocking potential in teams, and making sure user empathy and systems thinking stays at the center of every decision.
I work best as an enabler, creating the structure and space for people to do their best work. I believe in organized workflows and consistent processes, not because process is the point, but because it frees people from chaos and lets them focus on what they're actually building. My goal is simple: help people succeed at what they're good at, push them to grow where they need to, and get everything else out of their way.
I'd rather find someone who's better at something than me and clear the path for them to do it. I love finding a skill that someone excels at AND is passionate about and make space for them to shine.
Creativity without structure is chaos. I believe in defined workflows, clear deadlines, and organized sprints. Constraints free people up to do better work.
I love some clearly defined acceptance criteria, documented action items, and shared meeting notes. Clarity is everything. When people know what done looks like, everything moves faster.
Most people just want to be heard. A lot of problems resolve themselves naturally once someone actually listens. I always hear people out before jumping in.
Coming soon.
This is where you can find me on the internet.
