The Face Behind the Portfolio
🎨 The Designer Behind the Scenes
I'm a Senior Product & UX/UI Designer in San Francisco with over six years of experience driving product strategy and accessibility initiatives across healthcare/tech organizations.
With a B.S. Degree in Psychology, I have a deep understanding of human behavior, motivations, and how people think — a foundation that consistently guides my approach to design.
Throughout my career, I've driven accessibility initiatives that influenced organizational culture, shaped product strategy through user-centered insights, and established design processes that scale across teams.
Design became my calling in 2018, but before that, one of my most fulfilling roles was at Facebook (now Meta), where I helped improve the learning experience for new hires. Navigating clunky learning portals sparked my curiosity about user experience and gave me firsthand insight into how design can truly enhance — or hinder — someone’s journey.
My hunger for impact and deep empathy for people have always been at the heart of how I approach research and design — this eventually led me to focus on accessibility across all digital experiences.
I excel at translating complex design strategy into clear business value, regularly influencing product decisions and bridging cross-functional teams from individual contributors to C-suite executives.
🤝 Design Adjacent Work
In late 2024, an unexpected layoff became a turning point and inspired me to co-found a health startup with a mission to empower people to take control of their well-being. Today, I shape product vision and design strategy as Chief Design Officer, leading the design function from concept to execution for this health app.
As a passionate advocate for animal rights, I also volunteer with the San Francisco Vegan Society — a fully volunteer-run nonprofit — where I contribute to the UX and digital experience efforts alongside other member roles.
I'm passionate about elevating the design profession through mentoring UX/UI students, strategic portfolio guidance, and supporting the career growth of early-career designers.
🌱 In My Free Time
Creativity flows through many parts of my life—from cooking and dancing to yoga and long walks in nature. I cherish time with friends and family, live for music and travel, and find joy in the playful chaos of life with my partner, Steven, and our cat, Jalebi (pictured to the left).
✨ Reach out to me at sharon.pothan@gmail.com and let’s create something together!
Words from Those I've Worked With
See more on my LinkedIn Recommendations
“Sharon consistently brought thoughtful, creative solutions grounded in real user needs. Her willingness to take on challenging new projects and dive into unfamiliar problem spaces made her an invaluable asset to our team”
“As a product designer, Sharon brought a blend of creativity, curiosity, and deep user empathy to every challenge….Beyond her design skills, she was an incredible representative of the UX team, helping bridge gaps between design, research, and the broader organization”
“Sharon’s advocacy and commitment to accessibility made a lasting impact on our team”
“Sharon approaches every project with empathy, ensuring that the end user’s experience is not only visually engaging but also functional and accessible to all. Her ability to balance creativity with a strong understanding of usability makes her a standout in any design team”
“She is a thoughtful and vocal contributor in discussions, often bringing up insightful questions that help shape design decisions. She is passionate about inclusive design and ensuring that our digital experiences are”
“She takes time to fully understand the complex issues that make up the product, iterating to create the best design, and collaborating with cross-functional partners to bring those solutions to life”