KAREN McGRANE is an author, keynote speaker, teacher, and consultant who makes digital systems work better for the people who use them

I am a UX multi-hypenate: you might call me an information architect, content strategist, technical communicator, accessibility advocate, or just someone who's spent her whole career figuring out how people make and use websites.

I joined Contentful this year as Senior Director, Customer Insights & Adoption — my business partner Jeff Eaton and I were acqui-hired. I've worked full-time with Contentful since this spring, but was an early advisor to the product.

I lead a team focused on ensuring that insights from across the organization are translated into tools for customers, partners, and employees to help them get the most advantage from Contentful. Our remit includes field enablement, partner enablement, and internal tools / R&D. We have 5 people on the team now but plan to grow next year.

Previously, I have been a partner in three businesses: Autogram, Responsive Web Design, and Bond Art & Science. I am the author of two books, Content Strategy for Mobile and Going Responsive. I am a keynote speaker who has given talks at events all over the world. I have taught three courses in the MFA in Interaction Design program at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. I am one of the mods on r/UXDesign.

My career in UX began at digital agency Razorfish in NYC, where I started the information architecture practice and left as the VP and National Lead for User Experience. I went to graduate school at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where I received an M.S. in Technical Communication with a specialization in Human-Computer Interaction, and did my undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, with a B.A. double major in Philosophy and American Studies and a minor in Religious Studies.