The person behind the framework

The Degrees

I hold a Master’s in Computer Science, a Master’s in Human Factors, and an MBA. Human factors studies how people interact with tools and systems under real conditions, including how they make decisions, handle uncertainty, and respond under pressure.

Together, these disciplines shape how I approach AI and work. Computer science helps me examine the technology. Human factors helps me understand the people using it. Business helps me consider where that combination creates value.

The Inside View

At Google, I was part of the team that led AI infrastructure strategy for Gemini and DeepMind.

At Meta, I worked directly on the ranking systems and generative AI tools that now reach billions of people daily. I drove the strategic introduction of generative AI into creator tools. I designed evaluation frameworks to understand how these systems perform in the real world.

At Salesforce, I contributed to $100M+ enterprise deals. That work helped me understand how technology fits into business decisions, and what companies need from the products they choose.

At Intuit, I worked on QuickBooks Online and identified a category of accountant the company was failing to serve: younger, tech-native, and less attached to desktop workflows. At Bill.com, as a member of the executive team during the company’s path to IPO, I surveyed tens of thousands of businesses across the United States and conducted deep research with hundreds of them directly.

At Gusto, I developed a working understanding of payroll and HR systems. Across these roles, I learned to look at technology alongside the people using it, the products they depend on, and the decisions they need to make.

The Work

Today, I’m building DZ Verify at Defensible Zone. It helps companies look for evidence of the human qualities that remain valuable as AI takes on more tasks. My focus is on what candidates can demonstrate through relevant work, what the evidence supports, and what still needs checking.

In 2017 I co-authored Ignite Your Research Mojo, a methodology for using customer insights to build better products. That work and DZ Verify share a belief that has always driven me: The best decisions come from understanding people, rather than assuming you do.