About Me

Hello! I'm Cassandra Collins

I make complex, AI-driven systems work for everyone. With 25+ years leading end-to-end UX for enterprise-scale products, from games, mobile, AI-assisted scientific research platforms to simulation and data-rich decision tools, I ground every design decision in accessibility, inclusive design, and user trust. I translate ambiguous workflows into clear, explainable experiences, partnering with Product, Engineering, and Research to ship production-ready work informed by WCAG/EAA standards, co-creation with diverse users, and deep domain expertise.

Inclusive Design & Co-creationI embed accessibility and inclusive design as a core product quality, influencing how teams approach usability, compliance (WCAG/EAA), and user trust from early design through delivery. My PhD research at UCD focuses on inclusive co-creation with marginalized communities, bridging academic research with industry practice, with methods designed to transfer beyond any single domain.

Complex Systems & Enterprise LeadershipI shape product direction through hands-on UX ownership, using narrative prototypes and concrete design artifacts to align PM, engineering, research, and leadership. I define interaction models and workflows that clarify complex AI and data-driven systems for real users.

AI & Agentic TechnologyI design explainable, trustworthy AI experiences, balancing system autonomy with clear user control, decision checkpoints, and transparency. My recent work on Microsoft Discovery shaped agentic workflows and multi-agent orchestration into intuitive, accessible tools for scientific researchers.

Leadership & CultureI mentor designers and cross-functional partners through rigorous design critique, modeling strong UX craft, and clear decision-making. I operate at both strategic and execution levels, moving between vision-setting and detailed design work to unblock teams, accelerate progress, and raise overall quality.

Systems & ScalabilityI create reusable UX patterns and system-level design guidance that support consistency, scalability, and cross-team adoption across desktop, responsive web, and mobile experiences.

Recognition

2025
Microsoft Discovery Experience: Microsoft Discovery: Announced at Build 2025, UX strategy + design leadership
2020
Women Economic Forum: Honored for creating Microsoft's HCE Workshop Program
2019
Microsoft Platinum Club: Accessibility in Action Award
2018
IxDA Empowering Award: Winning team for Inclusive Design Toolkit
Speaker
Microsoft Summits: Featured Speaker on Ethical & Inclusive AI

Social Impact & Community

  • ๐Ÿค–Global Women AI Lab GWAIL: Founding Member
  • ๐Ÿ›๏ธMOHAI: Board Trustee
  • ๐Ÿค–Future World Alliance: AI Launchpad Judge & Community Contributor
  • ๐ŸŽ“IGNITE Worldwide: Mentor and coordinator for STEM/STEAM pathways
  • ๐ŸคAIGA Seattle: Contributor & Inclusive Design Advocacy
Cassandra CollinsDownload Resume

Snapshot

  • Location: Washington
  • Experience: 25+ Years
  • Education: PhD, Inclusive Design (UCD), MA (CSM), MFA (City & Guilds)
  • [email protected]

Current Priorities

  • UX Design Leadership (Director / Principal)
  • Inclusive Design & Accessibility (WCAG/EAA)
  • Complex Enterprise Systems & Workflows
  • AI & Agentic UX
  • Health Systems UX (PhD research)

Domain Strengths

UX Design & Product Craft

End-to-end Product Design, Interaction Design, Design Systems, Cross-platform (Desktop, Web, Mobile)

Accessibility & Inclusion

WCAG/EAA Compliance, Inclusive Co-creation, Accessibility Reviews, Policy Strategy

AI UX

Conversation AI, Explainability, Human-in-the-loop, Agentic Patterns, User Trust

Complex Systems & Architecture

Information Architecture, Scientific Platforms, Simulation, Wireframing, Figma Prototyping

User Research & Testing

Usability Testing, Research Synthesis, Validation, Evidence-based Iteration

Facilitation & Leadership

Workshop Leadership, Design Thinking, Narrative Prototyping, Alignment

Certifications

  • Microsoft CertifiedAzure Fundamentals, Dynamics 365
  • Prosci CertifiedChange Practitioner
  • IDEO UCultivating Creative Collaboration
  • MS Worldwide CommunitiesUX SME (2017, 2019)

Let's Connect

Let's connect about new opportunities, design leadership, UX + AI, inclusive design, or accessibility.