Susana Valdivia Rivas

About Susana Valdivia Rivas

With 15 years of cross-industry experience spanning banking operations, healthcare, wellness, and research, I bring a rare combination of operational discipline, client-facing expertise, and systems thinking to every role I take on.I\'ve held senior and managerial positions across regulated and compliance-driven environments, from quality control at Silicon Valley Bank to clinic management to user research at a top engineering consulting firm. Whether I\'m managing high-volume client interactions, ensuring documentation accuracy, or improving a broken process, I lead with empathy, attention to detail, and a drive to make things work better.I hold an M.S. in Human Factors and Ergonomics from San Jose State University and am completing a certificate in Quality Science and Medical Device Product Development through the Pathway for Patient Health program. My goal is to grow within the medical device industry, where my background in operations, compliance, and human-centered thinking can make a real contribution.

Experience

1. User Research Moderator - Intake Coordinator

   Exponent

   Dec 2025 — Present · Menlo Park, CA, US

   Moderate in-person 1:1 user research sessions for wearable technology products, training participants on device use, guiding structured activities, and capturing detailed observations and feedback- Manage session logistics, including timing, recordings, and troubleshooting, while collaborating with consultants to ensure smooth operations and high-quality data collection.

Education

• Sri Sri Ayurveda Institute for Wellness and Education

  Massage and Bodywork Practitioner Certification, Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage

  2015 — 2016

• San José State University

  M.S., Human Factors and Ergonomics

• University of Phoenix

  Bachelor's degree, Business Administration and Management, General

  2007 — 2010