Chad Vavra
My leadership centers on fostering innovations, clear communication, and unwavering user advocacy. I empower
my teams to tackle complex challenges with creativity and efficiency. I am committed to mentoring,
championing data-driven, user-centered design principles, and collaborating across functions to create
exceptional digital experiences.
HEAD OF UX
Cisco Systems | Cisco.com
01/2020 - 04/2024
“Chad’s leadership is invaluable as we discover, develop, and “reimagine” partner experiences on Cisco.com.
On a human level, he’s a great teammate: knowledgeable, pleasant, straightforward, trustworthy. I look
forward to the Partner Experience Team collaborating with Chad and his Digital Team on upcoming successes. ”
- Developed a cross-organizational design culture to align experience across multiple acquisitions,
including hosting monthly critiques with 1K+ designers.
- Scaled Cisco's new design system to multiple platforms including design documentation and change
management.
- Created an agile operating model, for UX, visual design, and engineering teams which successfully
developed and maintains a consistent design vision.
- Led strategic changes to customer feedback and response tools incorporating Qualtrics and customer
service teams reducing time to response significantly.
- Led complex SaaS GTM life-cycles for design, product development, and customer success resulting in
300% increase in engagement with sales.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Isobar (Dentsu)
01/2015 - 01/2020
- Built a holistic design practice focused on identifying opportunities and customer advocacy.
Delivering innovation by unifying cross-functionally for cutting-edge solutions with Isobar's key
clients.
- Recruited and retained a high-performing team of top-talent delivering Isobar's highest profit
margins in 2019.
- Delivered over $2M/year in business revenue in year one through modernization of the design
practice.
DIRECTOR OF USER EXPERIENCE
Rosetta (Publicis)
2013 - 2014
- United diverse stakeholders to form a shared vision and transform design culture. Supported key
client, AT&T by driving flawless UX for an emerging product, Digital Life : Care.
- Led product feature development, user-testing, and experimentation for a new product release.
Early Career
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR & DIGITAL CREATOR
2000 - 2013
Creative leader for some of the largest brands, studios, and enterprises in the world. Self-starter
producing standout digital products and marketing for top-tier brands and studios. Pixar, Disney, NBC,
ESPN, AT&T, Samsung, Lenovo, Saatchi & Saatchi
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (B.F.A.), DIGITAL DESIGN & COMPUTER STUDIES
Iowa State University |
Ames, IA (1999)
EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATION: GENERATIVE AI MINI-MBA
Section School of Business | New York, NY
(2024)
ADVANCED CERTIFICATION: AI FOR BUSINESS
University of Pennsylvania | Online (2024)
AIIP1x: AI IN PRACTIVE
Delft University of Technology | 2024
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Section School of Business | 2024
2023 CISCO WINNERS CIRCLE | Top 10% of Marketing and Sales
THE ONE SHOW PENCIL | Samsung Tweet-Wrap Holiday Campaign
EYEO FESTIVAL SPEAKER | Data-Visualization conference
- User Experience Leadership
- Generative AI
- Optimization | A/B Testing
- Product Design and Management
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Storytelling
- UX Research
- Qual/Quant Research
- User Interface Design (UI)
- Design Operations
- Rapid Prototyping
- Team Leadership and Development
- Rapid Prototyping
- Wireframing
- Product-led Growth
- Customer Advocacy
- Business Strategy
- Product Management
- Systems Thinking
- Accessibility & Usability Testing
AI Tools
Hugging Face AI, Microsoft Autogen AI, LangChain, OpenAI/ChatGPT, Claude AI,
Perplexity, Python,
Implementing Code & Local Large Language Models
Adobe Creative Suite
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Experience Manager, Adobe XD
UX & SEO Tools
Miro, Figma, Sketch, Brightedge
General Tools
Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Analytics), Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel)