Hi there 👋 I’m Zach Thomas. I've been designing experiences and digital products for enterprises and startups since 2006. Specializing in operations, interaction, and community, I help people understand complex systems and scale global programs that help businesses grow.
I’m currently leading civic CX strategy for Skylight. Past missions include co-founding the District Innovation Lab, leading design at General Assembly, and advising social impact initiatives with MIT’s SOLVE, Harvard’s Nieman Lab, Halcyon, and SEEDSpot.
Hi there 👋 I’m Zach Thomas. I've been designing experiences and digital products for enterprises and startups since 2006. Specializing in operations, interaction, and community, I help people understand complex systems and scale global programs that help businesses grow.
I’m currently leading civic CX strategy for Skylight. Past missions include co-founding the District Innovation Lab, leading design at General Assembly, and advising social impact initiatives with MIT’s SOLVE, Harvard’s Nieman Lab, Halcyon, and SEEDSpot.
Ushering in a New Era of Design Operations and Innovation for International Monetary Fund
International Monteary Fund
DesignOps, Service Design—As consultant to IMF's Creative, Technology, and People leaders, I helped evolve a marketing-heavy creative study into an award-winning innovation lab.
I worked with stakeholders to standup UX and service design work, scoped projects, trained and led design teams deliver work IMF wasn’t capable of supporting, as a model for operations for their transitioning design practice. We championed UX and workplace experience projects for their IHQ campus in DC, enhancing overall efficiency and communication.
Postcards from Outer Space: Award-Winning Campaign to Inspire Exploration
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Program Marketing—In celebration of Asteroid Autumn, an email campaign 'Postcards from Outer Space' was sent as a personal invitation from the cosmos in advocacy for STEM and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory's work. Using Midjourney, JPL’s Small-body Database and Mailchimp, I launched an out-of-this-world campaign. The campaign was recipient of Mailchimp and Fast Company’s inaugural Forward Awards for Outstanding Personalization.
Rethinking Blended Learning with Rapid Prototyping and UX Research, for Product at General Assembly
General Assembly
Design Systems, Product Management—As Design Principal at General Assembly, I led UX research and product development to create new learning tools and a design system during the global campus closures. My role involved overseeing multiple high-impact projects, ensuring a seamless transition to digital learning solutions through rapid prototyping and user testing.
Rethinking Blended Learning with Rapid Prototyping and UX Research, for Product at General Assembly
Apprenticeships that Transform Orgs through Design
District Innovation Lab
DC Innovation Lab
Program Management, Business Design, Founder—Our studio facilitated client projects for mission-driven NGOs and startups, empowering them to handle work they couldn't manage alone. By bridging the gap between academic learning and practical application, we ensured that both the talent and the organizations thrived, leading to successful project outcomes and stronger, more capable teams.
Trade Show Sales with a Custom No-Code App
Aero
Mobile App Design—I designed and built a series of interactive product catalogs for Aero, replacing print brochures with dynamic mobile solutions. These catalogs enabled Aero's sales and business development teams to effectively engage trade show attendees and savvy purchasers.
Inventory & Fulfillment Made Quick and Easy with Lister by Upright Labs
Upright Labs
Product Design, HCD, Interaction Design—Lister by Upright Labs, used by merchants like Goodwill and Salvation Army for their local store fulfillment, manages diverse inventories, and the bulk of the product is navigated with a handheld scanner.
The system was fit for inventory, but needed support warehouse management and fulfillment. And because efficiency is important, the new Lister needed to let workers keep pace and be super easy.
I optimized the workflow through user testing and contextual inquiry, collaborating with engineers to create an efficient, scalable design system. This streamlined operations and significantly improved client satisfaction and sales processes. Upright Labs has since been acquired by Cordance.
Tech Enablement and Digital Equity Research for DC’s CTO
DC Office of the CTO
IT Modernization, ResearchOps—I consulted and oversaw projects to support the DC’s resident-facing products, services, and community support. I led design teams to build and optimize digital platforms, and advise on their development and delivery. Additionally, I advised a team of consultants as SME to address a critical digital equity gap, reconnecting 20% of DC's disconnected residents and guiding employee skilling during the pandemic.
Preserving A Legacy of Canning for Ball
Ball
Product Management, Product Design—After 37 successful editions of their printed Guide to Preserving, Ball needed to honor its legacy and transition to digital. I designed an app and eBook to breathe new life into this kitchen staple, ensuring its recipes and techniques remained accessible for future generations.
Piloting Service Design for DC Government
City Government of DC
Service Design, ResearchOps—In partnership with the DC Mayor's Office and FuseCorps, I led CX, program management, and product design initiatives. Our projects aimed to create services that reflect human needs, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency across the IHQ campus in DC.
From mesmerizing launches at Kennedy Space Center to the vast digital cosmos, I've been captivated by exploration. Growing up in Cocoa Beach, my journey began as a kid with an Intel 386 running MS-DOS, and has spanned continents, industries, and galaxies since. I've worn countless hats, yet amongst them, the titles I cherish most are husband to my incredible wife, Justine, and ‘dada’ to our radiant daughters, Liv and Blake. I enjoy urban exploration, pop culture, the beach, gaming, and being on the Chesapeake Bay.
Community Involvement
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Solar System Ambassador - 1/2021 to Present
Office of the Chief Technology Officer, City of DC
Advisor, 10/2020 to 8/2022
Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
Scholar Athlete Mentor - 10/2017 to 12/2022
Embassy of France in the United States
Hackathon Organizer, Host - 1/2017 to 7/2018
Affiliations: Neol, MIT Solve, TechFleet, Halcyon, Seed Spot, Friends of Figma Education, Adobe Expert Network
Writing and Publications
Community Involvement
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Solar System Ambassador - 1/2021 to Present
Office of the Chief Technology Officer, City of DC
Advisor, 10/2020 to 8/2022
Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy
Scholar Athlete Mentor - 10/2017 to 12/2022
Embassy of France in the United States
Hackathon Organizer, Host - 1/2017 to 7/2018
Affiliations: Neol, MIT Solve, TechFleet, Halcyon, Seed Spot, Friends of Figma Education, Adobe Expert Network
Writing and Publications
From mesmerizing launches at Kennedy Space Center to the vast digital cosmos, I've been captivated by exploration. Growing up in Cocoa Beach, my journey began as a kid with an Intel 386 running MS-DOS, and has spanned continents, industries, and galaxies since. I've worn countless hats, yet amongst them, the titles I cherish most are husband to my incredible wife, Justine, and ‘dada’ to our radiant daughters, Liv and Blake. I enjoy urban exploration, pop culture, the beach, gaming, and being on the Chesapeake Bay.