Hi, I'm Eli
A design leader, mentor, and storyteller based in Brooklyn, New York
From New Orleans to New York, via design
I grew up in New Orleans, went to college in Philadelphia, and eventually made my way to New York City, where I now live with my wife Liz and our two kids.
Originally, I thought I'd be a filmmaker. I majored in cinematography at Temple University, moved to New York to chase that dream, but discovered I'd been teaching myself design in my spare time—and absolutely loving it. Sometimes the thing you do for fun becomes the thing you do for life.
Over the past 17 years, I've had the privilege of building design teams and products that serve millions of people. I believe deeply in design's power to democratize access and knowledge, making complex things simple and meaningful.
When I'm not designing, I'm usually planning our next adventure. Life's best lived through experiences, right? In 2015, I spent three months backpacking through Southeast Asia. In 2017, I drove a 1988 VW Vanagon around America for six months, sharing stories through photos and videos along the way.
Career Journey
VP, Design
Maven Clinic
2023 - Present
CurrentLeading product design, brand design, and user research. Focused on shaping the future of healthcare for women and families through empathetic and human-centered design.
Head of Design, Optimized Checkout Suite
Stripe
2021 - 2023
Leading design on the end-to-end user experience from onboarding to payment acceptance including consumer-facing products Checkout, Payment Links and Elements.
VP, Product and Design
Kickstarter
2017 - 2021
Hired and managed a team of product designers, product managers, and a UX writer, creating a supportive environment for them to grow and do their best work.
Design Lead
2010 - 2017
Design lead on Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Forms. I also explored emerging markets and experimental editors.
Speaking & Community
Figma
Design hiring panelist
Google Photos
Guest speaker
Eventbrite
Guest speaker
NOVA Summit
Keynote speaker
Interested in having me speak?
I'd love to share insights on design leadership, team building, or career development with your community.
Get in Touch →Ready to level up your design career?
Whether you're looking for portfolio feedback, interview prep, or strategic career guidance, I'm here to help you reach your goals.