User Experience Professionals Association (UXPA), NJ chapter

This year, we return to Pino's for our annual holiday party, but with a slightly different twist. Instead of a night of jazz and trivia, we'll be able to listen to the sounds of Classical Revolution, modeled after a traditional soiree event. Host Samantha Tomblin and her violin will be joined by various and sundry string, and possibly other, instruments. At this monthly event, the musicians sit in, usually playing through a variety classical pieces. Most consist of string quartets, with the music typically running from 6:00 pm until 10:00 pm. Music is located in the front of the establishment. We UXPA NJ folks will be seated far, far in the back. Remember to walk all the way to the back of the lounge, past the music, and probably, the board game players, too.

This holiday season provides us with a unique opportunity to get together again and enjoy each other's company. All UXPA NJ members are welcome to attend and celebrate with us.

Thanks to a micro-grant from UXPA International, the chapter will be hosting a finger food menu, likely to consist of BBQ sliders, meatball sliders, salad, and baked feta. There is a cash bar. Pino's offers a wide selection of beverages, including non-alcoholic drinks as well as wines, beers, and other alcoholic drinks.

Logistics have been covered, so let's focus on the main reason we are getting together--socializing. We expect to have a great social event. Bring your stories of your recent escapades! What have you been up lately? What are your plans for the holidays? Come and share your experiences. Networking is encouraged at this event, too!

If you are a Rutgers or Princeton student, we especially invite you to attend, introduce yourself, and get to know our members.

There will be no agenda or speakers for this event. It's purely intended to support informal networking and socializing. Please come and meet our fellow members, guests, and friends. We'd like to get to know you a bit better, and we hope the feeling is mutual. See you soon!

Here's the current schedule we've planned:

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Socializing, networking and refreshments
9:00 - 10:00 pm Optional additional socializing, listening to music, etc.
10:00 pm Closing

Note: Since this event is being catered by Pino's new Rhythm and Roots eatery, we ask that you kindly RSVP. If you do RSVP, and then need to cancel, please do so as a courtesy to others who may be on the waiting list. Thanks!

Please join us for small group portfolio reviews, designed for Rutgers University students, and also those interested in having their portfolios reviewed by a UX professional. Anyone studying to be in the UX field, or already in the field, is welcome to participate. Spaces are limited, so early registration is encouraged. There will be a wait list.

Thank you to our UXPA NJ team lead, Lauren Dillard, who has enrolled a great team of reviewers. They are eager to provide you with useful and actionable feedback. We look forward to hearing their suggestions and recommendations. Please read their biographies below and see for yourself.

Here's the plan: Attendees will prepare their portfolios in advance and have the link to their portfolio ready for sharing at the start of the event. After welcomes and introductions, etc., attendees will be assigned to a small group of at least three people, plus at least one of our expert reviewers. During the first hour, we anticipate three portfolio reviews, each one twenty minutes in length. After the first round/hour, resources permitting, our reviewers may review two additional portfolios, which will take approximately forty minutes (twenty minutes each). Following the shorter, second round, we'll all get back together in the main room, share closing remarks and observations, and close out the event.

Note: Be prepared to answer a few questions about your portfolio, even before the reviewer takes a look at it. For example, your reviewer may ask you about the job title you are seeking to fill, and how many years of related experience you have. Being prepared to answer these questions ahead of time will assist your reviewer, and will help ensure that you get the most value out of the experience.

About Our Stellar Team of Portfolio Reviewers

Lauren Dillard is a dedicated design leader focused on solving problems at scale. She is a design director at MassMutual and was a professor of user experience design and information architecture at Jefferson University in Philadelphia for a number of years. She empowers her team through empathy, accountability and trust.

Stephanie Werthman – Principal Experience Design and Design Lead Consultant Stephanie has over 15 years in design with a focus in user experience design and strategy for the past decade. Most recently she held the position of Service Design Director at TD Bank where she oversaw key strategic research and design initiatives for both the U.S. and Canada. Prior to TD, she was a UX Strategist at the Vanguard Group where she helped launched Vanguard’s first FDIC backed high yield cash products. In addition, she has worked for several agencies and has partnered with clients including Goldman Sachs, Cisco, US Bank, Deutsche Bank and Broadridge. Outside of work, she’s an avid lover of art, film, theater, music, wine and food. Stephanie can often be found in a New York gallery or independent movie theater, discovering the work of emerging and established artists from around the world.

Robert Sherron is an accomplished Design Director based in the New York Metro Area. He is dedicated to collaborating with organizations to transform their products and services through a strategic focus on user-centered design. With over 20 years of experience, Robert has led global product teams and managed complex design initiatives that have significantly benefited high-profile clients, including J.P. Morgan, U.S. Bank, Merck, Otsuka, CBS, Wall Street Journal, Staples, and Allstate/Esurance. His expertise encompasses UX research, product strategy, interaction design, service design, persona development, journey mapping, as well as, metrics strategy and measurement. With a background in Psychology and extensive experience in Design Thinking, Robert is adept at evaluating user behavior and excels at translating complex requirements into intuitive and effective design solutions. As the founder of Design Things Right LLC, he blends hands-on design skills with a strategic vision, guiding organizations through digital transformation and helping them succeed in today’s competitive landscape.

Eliza Gager is currently a Design Director of Design Operations and the Design System at MassMutual. She has over 12 years of experience in design at everything from advertising agencies to media companies to major national retailers and e-commerce companies. Her past clients have included American Express, Coca-Cola, Subway, Marshalls, Sierra, Liberty Mutual, TripAdvisor, and Chewy. She believes that just because you’ve never designed the exact thing in front of you, it doesn’t mean that you’re not the best person for the job.

Roshan Bhakta is a product and user experience design leader. Since 2005, his practice of design across a diverse range of industries has impacted many notable brands' B2C and B2B experiences. Having mentored and coached team members through their career journeys, Roshan is described as a "guiding force", having a "selfless leadership style", and as one who "invests in the people he works with."

Thank you to Professor Rupa Misra and Rutgers University for their sponsorship of this event. We are developing a sponsorship program for organizations, so that they can additionally support and assist our UXPA chapter in serving our growing community.

Agenda
7:30 - 7:45 pm: Welcome, announcements, job seekers/offers
7:45 - 8:45 pm: Round #1: Three portfolio reviews in each small group
8:45 - 9:25 pm: Round #2: Two portfolio reviews in each small group
9:25 - 9:30 pm: Closing Remarks

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Time: Monday, December 9th, 07:30 Eastern Time (US & Canada)

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