Kelsey Ruger

About Kelsey Ruger

I help leaders and professionals design organic systems where human talent and technology grow together—so they can multiply effectiveness, scale impact, and navigate change without losing what makes their work human.At Hello Alice, I lead teams building products and programs that serve 1.5M small business owners across the U.S. Before that, I spent two decades building products and leading technology + design across startups and large organizations.What drives my work is simple: organizations aren’t machines you fix by optimizing harder. They’re living systems. When tools, automation, and AI accelerate, the answer usually isn’t “more process.” It’s better conditions: clarity, trust, and workflows that reduce friction so people can do their best work.I’ve taught this approach at the University of Houston and applied it across product development, leadership, and organizational change. I also write Kenzie Notes, a weekly newsletter on building organizations that grow stronger through change.If you’re working through AI adoption that needs to fit your actual context (not a generic playbook), reducing tool/process overload, or designing teams that adapt instead of breaking—happy to connect.Focus: Organic systems for modern work • AI as an amplifier • Product & org design • Human-centered leadership • Change navigation • Strategic clarity• AI Strategy & Implementation • Product Leadership • Technology Leadership • UX Strategy

Experience

1. Board Member

   Knowbility

   Mar 2026 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Board of Directors member supporting Knowbility\'s mission to make digital technology accessible to people with disabilities.

Education

• University of Houston

  BA, MIS

• Southern Methodist University

  Computer Science

Skills

• User-Centered Design
• Qualitative Market Research
• Strategy
• Innovation Management
• Game Mechanics
• Visual Storytelling
• Storytelling
• Digital Marketing
• Creative Strategy
• Social Design
• Design Thinking
• User Experience Design
• Blogging
• Experience Strategy
• Digital Innovation
• Web Development
• Cms
• Product Innovation
• Information Architecture
• Modx
• Mobile Strategy
• Product Management
• Graphic Design
• Content Management
• Observational Studies
• Business Design
• User Experience
• Marketing Strategy
• Web Design
• Design Strategy
• Brand Development
• Qualitative Research
• Observational Research
• Accessibility
• Mobile Applications
• Advertising
• Visual Thinking
• Digital Strategy
• Interaction Design
• Product Design