uXperience Design Jam - Sponsored by Sun Life

Hi, I’m Samanthi! My passion for UX and design thinking stems from my educational background in UX and Interaction Design, coupled with experience as a product manager. Over the last 16 years I have had an astounding professional journey working in Canada and San Francisco for some of the world’s most iconic Fortune 500 brands.

My style of leadership & mentoring style is focused on bringing people to understand WHAT end users want & NEED from digital experiences, how we can IMPROVE their experience by using essential design thinking tools and processes which are fun, collaborative, and bring out a new way of thinking together.

My love for design extends into my personal life, where I appreciate a minimalistic style in architecture and interior design. As an avid worldwide traveller meeting new people all the time, I truly live by the motto of work hard + play hard. I am always open to mentoring opportunities with new people, and love having conversations about new industry practices and what keeps people asking the question WHY?

Hello, I’m Tawnya! In my role, I am responsible for leading teams in defining and enabling digital experiences for our clients, with a focus on supporting Canadians in reaching their wealth goals.

My career has evolved around my passion for meeting customer needs.  My 19 years of experience has ranged from directly working with clients, providing individual financial advice, to more recent years, in leading teams to design and deliver servicing excellence across digital, contact centre and back-office channels – taking service interactions and generating new business opportunities.

Understanding client needs is my core focus and I consistently strive to gain deep insights into our clients' financial goals, challenges, and preferences. This client-centric approach allows me and my teams to develop tailored solutions and experiences that truly resonate with our customers, ultimately driving satisfaction and loyalty.

Outside of work, I enjoy finding new adventures – unique events, activities or places to travel for short road trips or longer vacations.

Hi, I'm Taylor! I have been with Sun Life now for 7 years in various capacities including marketing and behavioural economics. With this background, my transition into UX earlier this year came naturally. UX is an area where I can use my writing skills in collaboration with my deep understanding of how our clients think and engage to improve our digital experiences.

Before working at Sun Life, I spent time working in the entertainment industry as well as in events. Outside of work you can find me camping with my family, swimming in any lake I can find, and spending way too much money buying niche fragrances for my collection.

Hi, I’m Solomon, a GBDA alumni from the class of 2018!

I’m a UX Designer with over 5 years of experience in the financial technology and insurance industry. Currently, I’m working to improve the experience of group benefits for clients at Sun Life.

Outside of work, I enjoy practicing street photography and bouldering

Hello, I’m Segun! With a career in marketing and design spanning over 15 years, I specialize in UX writing, content design, and strategy, particularly in the financial services sector, where I’ve spent the last decade refining my skills. I’m passionate about creating content that not only informs but also enhances the user experience through clear, concise, and strategic messaging.

My approach to UX writing combines deep research into user behavior, a strong focus on accessibility, and collaboration across teams to ensure the best outcomes for users. I thrive on challenges that require creative problem-solving and look for innovative ways to blend content with design for optimal user engagement.

In addition to my professional pursuits, I express my creativity through art, fiction writing, and filmmaking. These passions help me bring fresh perspectives to my work and inspire new ways of thinking about design and communication.

Hello, I’m Ramyaa! As a Product Designer in Group Choices at Sun Life, I have been responsible for delivering end-to-end product design and research solutions. As a designer, I’ve worked to ensure that members have a seamless experience when managing their retirement investments with Sun Life. 

I have been with Sun Life since 2021 and have over 7+ years of experience in Product Design in the finance industry. Fun Fact! I’m also an alumni of the Master of Digital Experience Innovation (MDEI) program at the Stratford School.

Hi, I’m Kristina and I have 14 years of research experience, with half that time in academic health services research and the other half in user experience research. I’ve always been curious as to the ‘why’ people do what they do or think how they do.

I’ve worked mostly in the health and fitness space until I joined Sun Life in their Financial Advisor space 2 years ago. My current work focuses on improving digital tools and their experience for Advisors and their teams.

Outside of work I garden, Crossfit, and renovate my yellow-brick century home.

Hi! I'm Sara, and my journey with Sun Life began in 2014 where I honed my skills in a Financial Advisor’s office. My insightful comprehension of the industry's dynamic landscape has proven invaluable as we continually strive to enhance the experiences of both advisors and Clients alike.

In my role as Design Ops Program Specialist, I play a crucial role in supporting our UX team. I've spearheaded the implementation of innovative design tools, cutting-edge technologies, and impactful programs that foster collaboration and enhance workflow efficiency.

When I'm not at work you can find me at the barn, relaxing with a good book or trying a new creative outlet like watercolour painting.