Tech should serve boardrooms and waiting rooms, I design for both

Technical Execution Meets Human Insight

Empathy isn’t just a design method for me, it’s the invisible string of my 8-year journey from IBM’s enterprise platforms to addiction-recovery access. I’ve learned that whether you’re a:
• Fortune 500 executive wrestling with data governance,
• Small-town restaurant owner needing digital solutions,
• Overworked caseworker documenting treatment plans, or
• Person in crisis seeking help,

the same principles apply: Listen first, design for real behavior, and remove systemic friction. My work proves that enterprise scalability and human dignity aren’t mutually exclusive; they’re the mark of truly impactful design.

Professional Journey Highlights

P-TECH Pioneer: Earned my CS degree while still in high school through IBM's groundbreaking education initiative.
Water Tech Innovator: Designed utility dashboards at Varuna Tech that reduced workload by 25% and prevented 40% more water crises through predictive analytics.
IBM UX Designer: Led UX improvements for Match360, redesigning enterprise data tools used by Fortune 500 companies.
Restaurant UX Strategist: Modernized my family restaurant’s digital experience.
Recovery Systems Architect: Streamlined operations at Lucent Recovery, boosting staff satisfaction by 80%.
Social Impact Developer: Provide access to online SAMHSA-funded resources, connecting 50K+ users annually to critical addiction recovery resources

Why

From P-TECH to SAMHSA, I’ve spent my career democratizing access, whether to education, clean water, enterprise data, or addiction recovery resources. My work proves that thoughtful UX bridges gaps:

  • Between privilege and possibility (bringing IBM’s tech education to underserved students)

  • Between data and decisions (helping utility workers prevent water crises)

  • Between hunger and convenience (modernizing family restaurants for digital natives)

  • Between addiction and recovery (designing resources that connects 50K+ people to help)

Credentials

View on Credly

    • Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner

    • Enterprise Design Thinking Co-Creator

    • Enterprise Design Thinking - Team Essentials for AI

    • Enterprise Design Thinking for Sustainability

    • Design & User Experience (D&UX) Essentials

    • Basic Principles of Design

    • Advancing Accessibility

    • Accessibility Advocate

    • iOS Design Essentials

    • Google UX Design Professional Certificate

    • IBM Agile Explorer

    • IBM Agile Advocate

    • IBM Agile Achiever

    • IBM Garage Essentials

    • IBM Garage Foundation

    • Patterns Getting Started: Classroom

    • Patterns Getting Started: Incubator

    • Big Data Foundations - Level 1 & 2

    • Hadoop Foundations - Level 1

    • Spark - Level 1

    • IBM Blockchain Essentials

    • Watson Analytics - Level 1

    • Cloud Essentials

    • IBM Cloud Essentials

    • Master Data Management Sales Foundation

    • IBM New Collar Professional Skills

    • IBM Virtual Collaborator

    • IBM Apprenticeship Program - Professional Skills

    • Power Skills (Communication, Presentation, Collaboration, Problem Solving)

    • Power Skills (Resilience, Growth Minded, Learning Agility, Time Management)

    • The IBM Way

    • IBM Growth Behaviors

    • Mental Health Ally

    • Be Equal Ally

    • Trustworthy AI and AI Ethics

Testimonials

Phil Brucker, IBM Design

“She exhibited an impressive ability to synthesize information, transforming broad data into actionable insights. Her methodical approach ensured that every detail was addressed, highlighting her dedication to user-centered design.”

Cate Wilcox, IBM Design

“Suyhalia’s tendency towards empathy, curiosity, and a growth mindset will serve her well in any role.”