About

Introduction

My name is Krista, and I’m a UX Researcher, UX Strategist and accessibility advocate. I currently lead User Research at the Alzheimer’s Association. I’m passionate about creating more inclusive digital experiences through iterative research and design. I’m particularly interested in behavior change in healthcare, exploring the intersection of education and technology, making technology more accessible to the aging population and people living with cognitive differences, and advocating for the ethical use of AI. My free time is filled with painting, writing, yoga, meditation, coffee drinking, and collecting vintage floral dresses.

My Experience

My journey into UX research and design is a unique one. A large part of my career was spent designing, developing and managing jewelry and housewares products for corporate retailers. Many years of experience in these industries taught me the value of thoughtful decision making, cross functional collaboration, adaptability, clear communication and creative problem solving. I was fortunate enough to travel the world, experience diverse cultures, and learn about new materials and processes that I integrated into a variety of physical products that I helped create.

Eight years ago, I became interested in making a career transition to UX and enrolled in a UX bootcamp program to explore my options. There I discovered that I was most interested in UX research and strategy. I began consulting part time as a UX researcher while I continued my career in retail product design.

In 2019 I completely committed to my UX Research career. I began contracting full time in UX research and enrolled in the HCI graduate program at DePaul University, where I graduated in 2021 with honors. I joined DePaul as an adjunct professor in 2021, where I currently teach a Digital Design Foundations class in the program I graduated from. In 2021 I transitioned from being a contract User Researcher to a full time position as Senior Associate Director of User Research at the Alzheimer’s Association. In this role I help build more inclusive digital experiences and bring more accessibility to our website’s users, especially people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, through user research.

My Process

I am a strong believer in the benefits of iterative research and design. Whether I’m focused on a single feature of a product, or the product as a whole, I think it’s important to test early and often. This process helps a product reach its full potential within time and resource constraints, and reduces investing too much time designing in a direction that ultimately does not meet product expectations. I strive for a healthy balance of focus and flexibility in my work, and enjoy the diverse insights and ideas that cross-functional collaboration provides in UX research and design.

Contact

Want to talk about UX research, strategy, or accessibility? Feel free to email me at kdkleban@gmail.com or reach out through LinkedIn.