Get to Know Jessica Shields

Hi, I’m Jessica—and this is Gus, my favorite coworker.

I’m a UX designer and developer with 15+ years of experience creating thoughtful, high-performing digital experiences. I maintain high standards in a remote environment, thrive on collaboration, and bring a deep sense of purpose to every project I join.

I’m energized by smart ideas, clear goals, and seeing projects through to the finish line. I love to learn, iterate, and experiment—especially when it leads to more human-centered outcomes. Outside of work, you’ll find me deep in a book, walking trails with Gus, or introducing myself to every dog I meet. Yes, if you bring your dog in public… I will ask to say hi.

Leadership

As a participatory leader, I offer clear expectations and trust my team to deliver. I thrive in environments where transparency, standards, and strong collaboration make excellence scalable.

Leadership highlights:

• Led UX design for eLearning products that increased learning outcomes (23.5% in UI design, 16.73% in Python, and 9.2% in JavaScript).
• Standardized instructional practices across teams, improving productivity and learner outcomes
• Directed visual strategy for the 2012 National Vice Presidential Campaign
  (view my contributions).
• Led a campus-wide UX/UI redesign at Georgetown College, collaborating across 18 departments and 120+ stakeholders

My approach to UX leadership.

Coachability & Performance

I actively seek feedback, reflect regularly, and adapt to perform at the highest level.

Performance highlights:

• Consistently exceeded KPIs by 10%+ above team average
• Recognized with multiple organizational and team awards
• Completed the U. Penn Resilience Program and Simpli5 leadership training
• Known strengths: Create & Deliver

UX Design

My work is grounded in empathy, inquiry, and clarity. I ask good questions, connect user needs to business goals, and navigate ambiguity through research, analysis, and collaboration. I’m a visual thinker who anchors design in organizational principles and user outcomes.

Case study:
Designed eLearning experiences to remove user barriers and increase completion. Through user interviews and audits, I identified key drop-off points and redesigned flows. Results included an increase of +23.53% in completion and a significant lift in learner satisfaction.

UI & Visual Design

With a formal background in graphic design, I bring a sharp eye to color, typography, and visual harmony. I enjoy exploring and iterating through multiple creative solutions to find the one that just works.

Featured work:
For the Third Century Campaign , I designed a modular, elegant print system with a linen portfolio and foil-stamped identity. The design allowed updates without reprints—delivering flexibility, cohesion, and impact across a multi-year campaign.

Work History

Please view my resume and work history on LinkedIn.