Vanessa Roman Hotlosz

About Vanessa Roman Hotlosz

I focus on improving how people experience learning, especially when traditional education models fall short. A throughline in my work has been expanding access to high-quality learning experiences that genuinely improve learner outcomes, whether by transforming existing products or building new ones centered on learner needs.Currently, I serve as Senior Director of Brand Strategy at Centreity Learning Systems, where I help shape and launch digital learning products for university partners and organizations across the US, Europe, and UAE. My work spans positioning, platform structure, and learner experience, translating complex academic offerings into products that feel clear, usable, and engaging rather than institutional and abstract.Alongside this, I founded Mindpali, a cognitive science–based study platform built around the concept of a virtual mind palace. The product reimagines studying as spatial exploration, allowing learners to place information within a 3D environment designed for memory recall. I developed the experience from concept through early validation, defining the learning model, UX direction, and overall product strategy. The project participated in the Techstars Founder Catalyst 2025 program.Across roles, I’ve worked to reawaken underperforming learning experiences, launch new education products, and bring a more human voice to academic brands. My work connects brand strategy, learning experience design, and product development, with a focus on building learning tools that people can actually use and benefit from.My background in integrated design, technology, and business from USC’s Jimmy Iovine and Young Academy informs this interdisciplinary approach, blending product thinking, storytelling, and learning experience design.

Experience

1. Senior Director of Brand Strategy

   Centreity

   May 2024 — Present

   Led a full overhaul of the Centreity brand, redefining positioning, messaging architecture, and visual direction to better reflect the company’s learning philosophy and product offeringsShape strategy and experience for digital learning products across university partners in the US, Europe, and UAEDirected redesign of Centreity’s website to align brand narrative with learning methodology and improve clarity for prospective partnersLaunched LearnWorlds SaaS learning platform, defining experience structure, content organization, and onboarding flowCollaborate with academic stakeholders to translate complex programs into clear, usable learning productsSupport product development and partnerships through brand, narrative, and learner-focused experience strategy

Education

• University of Southern California

  Master of Science - MS, Integrated Design, Business, and Technology

  2021

• The Ohio State University

  Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology, Fashion Retail Studies

  2014 — 2017

• West Virginia University

  Fashion Merchandising

  2011 — 2013

Skills

• Jazz Dance
• Graphic Design
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Layout
• Logo Design
• Customer Service
• Social Networking
• Business Cards
• Social Media Marketing
• Tap
• Photography
• Brochures
• African Dance
• Event Planning
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Classical Ballet
• Art
• Photojournalism
• Web Design
• Microsoft Word
• Graphics
• Modern Dance
• Editing
• Public Speaking
• Ballet
• Creative Direction
• Illustrator
• Contemporary Dance
• Fashion
• Acting
• Social Media
• Posters
• Photoshop
• Mac
• Sales
• Leadership
• Playwriting