Amersfoort, Utrecht, Netherlands
Hi, I’m Thamar a User Experience Design Leader, I combine a strategic lens with decisive direction for execution to turn vision into velocity. Build and lead strong, connected teams, who work towards a clear North Star vision. I excel in shaping and leading high impact design teams. Entrepreneurial by nature, I love creating impact through sports and design. I have over 15 years of work experience. Leading Design Strategy in Big corporates (ING, Phillips, adidas) as well as shaping and hiring new teams for corporates, startups and Design agencies. My core competences: * Visionair design leadership: from a helicopter view to giving direction in execution * Design Thinking Advocate: omni-channel and united commerce from Consumer Journeys and blueprints * User Experience & Usability expert: from opportunity to solution with an innovative & positive mindset * Facilitator: workshops and Design sprints, participants leave inspired and energized * Strategic Storyteller and Public Speaker * Team Building and People Management * Entrepreneurial Spirit and Social Impact through sports I firmly believe that everyone has unique skills & strengths and excels in their own way. This is how I coach my team at work and lead my karate school. It is my goal is to help each team member / student discover and unlock their potential, building self-confidence and fostering growth both in sports and in their professional lives.
* 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 (up to 12 FTE) to create impactful omni channel solutions. Guiding a diverse group of experts, to create impactful design solutions. * 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 for Digital Retail, Wholesales applications, Checkout and omni-channel payments experiences across platforms. Ensuring seamless interactions for consumers and retail and wholesales employees. * 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 by developing integrated retail employee applications and digital tools that support Retail Operations, stock management, and B2B order processes. * 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 through discovery sprints, journey management, co-creation sessions, and rapid prototyping, while facilitating executive workshops that transform ambiguity into clear decision-making frameworks. *𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 by partnering with cross-functional leaders and fostering a culture of collaboration, coaching talent, and exploring emerging technologies to elevate user experiences. Highlight critical moments that matter and align them with key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive measurable outcomes.
* 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 of User Experience (UX & UI) Designers and copywriters at adidas in Amsterdam (up to 8 FTE). * 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 for the Global adidas & Reebok websites. Improving the Consumer Journey & leading conversion optimization. *𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥, digital solutions to improve the online to offline experience of our Global consumers. From the adidas App to our Retail touchpoint. * 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞, the use of the adidas App in the Retail Stores, Employee Applications to improve Retail Operations.
* 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 the operations of Dojo Kuro, creating a welcoming environment for students of all ages. * 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐎𝐂*𝐍𝐒𝐅 (𝐊𝐒𝐒3) 𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫, delivering high-quality instruction tailored to diverse skill levels. * 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 of volunteers and assistant teachers to ensure effective and cohesive training. * 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, fostering a sense of community and healthy competition. * 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 on sports, coaching, resilience, focus, and leadership for corporate clients. * 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬 through karate training, helping them build self-confidence and unlock their potential. * 𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐭 (𝐃𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞) 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, promoting excellence and quality standards in belt gradings.
As a Design leader at this prominent Service Design agency: * Spearheaded experience design projects that drove innovation and delivered exceptional results for high-profile clients, including Philips, Eneco, Spotta, and Post NL. * Drove client acquisition and successfully pitched to high-value prospects, resulting in new partnerships with the Schiphol Group while fostering long-term relationships that strengthened the agency's portfolio. * Championed the agency’s growth by becoming a member of the inaugural management team, collaborating with the Service Design Lead and Strategic Designer to shape the vision and strategy, positioning the agency as a leader in the service design landscape.
Set up the User Experience Design Team at Treatwell NL, responsible for interaction design and research. * Established the User Experience team at Treatwell NL, driving a user-centered approach to interaction design and research that enhanced customer satisfaction and engagement. * Selected and implemented design processes and tools, successfully hiring and onboarding skilled UX Designers and Researchers to build a high-performing team dedicated to delivering exceptional user experiences. * Developed design frameworks and A/B testing protocols that supported data-driven decision-making, optimizing the user experience for the Treatwell platform. * Led the user experience design for the new Treatwell App and the Global Treatwell website, ensuring cohesive and intuitive interfaces that resonate with users. * Contributed to the successful rebranding project during the merger of Treatwell NL and Wahanda, leading the redesign of our web and app touchpoints, unifying the brand identity and enhancing market presence across Europe.
* Led the Design Teams for the ING Mobile Banking App & The Innovation team & The Mobile Payments team, coaching and guiding a talented group (6 FTE) in innovation, UX, and visual design to deliver exceptional user experiences. * Designed the UI & UX Guidelines for Omni-channel forms. Forms used in both consumer and B2B platforms. * Redesigned the 'Mijn ING' internet banking platform, enhancing usability and functionality, adopting the accessibility guidelines, to meet customer needs effectively. * Developed the first ING iOS App that allows users to check their balances, setting a benchmark for mobile banking in the organization. * Directed the design process of the award-winning Banking App (iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows), maintaining leadership since 2012 and establishing ING as a frontrunner in mobile banking solutions. Oversaw reviews of external agency app designs to ensure alignment with ING's brand standards and usability expectations. * Designed the Mobile Payment App for Android, launching ING's first NFC payment solution, significantly advancing mobile payment capabilities for customers. * Achieved multiple accolades, including the Best Financial App at the iCulture Award (2012, 2014, 2015), Best Dutch App (iCulture & NUtech award, 2013, 2014), and ranked #1 in the Web Service Scan WUA, recognizing excellence in mobile banking experiences.