Michelle Hays
Design Leader | Servant Leadership Enthusiast | Always Learning | Former IBM
- Role
- Product Design Manager, IT Design at Cisco
- Location
- Austin, TX, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Michelle Hays
I’ve spent my career connecting people, purpose, and possibility through design.Over the past 30+ years, I’ve moved between designing, teaching, mentoring, and leading—and each has shaped how I show up today. I approach leadership with empathy, curiosity, and a strong belief that clarity is a form of care. Empathy isn’t a soft skill to me; it’s a strategic one, especially when teams are navigating complexity or change.I bring a human-centered, systems-minded approach to design leadership, helping teams make sense of ambiguity, advocate for users, and deliver work that truly supports the business.I’m most energized when coaching designers, strengthening design practices, and creating the conditions where people feel trusted and supported—so they can do their best work and grow into the next version of themselves.At my core, I believe good design—and good leadership—start with listening.
Experience
Product Design Manager, IT Design
Oct 2024 — Present
Education
Point Loma Nazarene University
BA
Rhode Island School of Design
MFA
UC Irvine
Studio Art
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