Other stuff about me

(Sa-hee-thah)

I’m passionate about mental health advocacy and cultural competency in mental health care. I also love spending time outdoors through hiking, rock climbing, or horseback riding. I enjoy painting and journaling (scroll down to see some art!).

Work Experience

  • I designed and implemented a centralized tool that brings together 32 essential software platforms and procedural checklists, using Figma and PowerApps to streamline team workflows during irregular operations. I analyzed data across four operational teams in Python to identify key inefficiencies, which shaped the app’s core functionality. I conducted a migration readiness study using a Qualtrics survey with over 80 participants and applied Pareto analysis to 300+ entries to prioritize the highest-impact features. I presented the final product to executive leadership, leading to adoption by five Network Operations teams to improve response coordination and speed.

  • I oversaw the UI/UX development of Slingshot OS and Geniverse, two AI-powered platforms designed to enhance operational efficiency. I managed the full lifecycle of new use cases tailored to student users across 20 agile sprints. I created an internal AI education document to promote responsible use of generative AI, which was distributed to all 75 employees. I also conducted heuristic evaluations, task analyses, and usability testing to drive user-centered improvements across both platforms.

  • I founded Opal Technologies to provide user-centered digital consulting services to nonprofits, with a focus on accessibility and mission-aligned design. I led the development and launch of websites and digital marketing strategies for three nonprofit clients, ensuring each solution reflected stakeholder input and addressed real community needs. I manage cross-functional teams of developers and designers, translating client visions into impactful digital experiences.

EaselArts Inc.

Founded in 2017, EaselArts Inc. emerged from my belief in the transformative power of art, particularly in communities where artistic careers are often undervalued. As someone with a arts background, I recognized the need for greater arts advocacy and support, especially among the youth in my cultural community. EaselArts champions the arts, raises awareness, and provides tangible support. Through fundraising and communities engagement, we've successfully raised $85,000 in donations. These funds have been instrumental in enhancing access to arts education and fostering cultural engagement in underserved communities. This initiative has been rewarding, as I've witnessed my students grow and take on leadership roles, continuing the advocacy for arts in their own educational pursuits.

My work at EaselArts inspired two significant research studies: one exploring cultural influences on art therapy and another assessing art therapy's role in fostering empathy between foster children and parents. These studies aim to expand our understanding of art's therapeutic benefits and its potential to improve mental health care practices.

The Relationship Between Cultural Identity and Art Therapy Efficacy

Art Therapy as a Means of Communication between Foster Parents and Children

Learn more

Some of my art