Bringing clarity to complexity through human-centered design leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
about me
I’m a design leader who thrives on solving complex, ambiguous problems in enterprise and B2B spaces. Currently at Adobe, I lead a platform design team shaping Adobe Express into a modular, extensible creative app used by millions. My focus is turning complexity into clarity, whether that means architecting a cohesive platform across products, designing frictionless developer experiences, or guiding a team through ambiguous problem spaces.
Over the course of my career, I have been able to use my systems-thinking super power in every role. I specialize in connecting the dots across people, products, and processes. Sometimes that looks like creating a unifying platform vision across multiple business units. Other times it’s about spotting patterns that allow us to scale faster, or building the right connections across teams so everyone can move forward together. At the team level, I am equally focused on connecting the dots for individuals by helping designers grow in their craft, expand their influence, and see how their work ladders up to bigger business goals.
My path here has not been linear. With a BFA in Graphic Design, I started as a front-end developer, shifted into UX design, explored research and strategy, and now lead high-performing design teams. That journey gave me a broad perspective on how organizations work and a toolkit for solving problems from many angles. It also gave me a deep appreciation for the often-overlooked developer experience, which has become one of my favorite areas to design for.
I believe the best design leadership is rooted in human connection. I lead with empathy, inclusivity, and collaboration, helping my teams feel empowered, my partners feel supported, and our products feel effortless. My goal is to cultivate teams that are not only high-performing, but also resilient, creative, and energized by the work we do together.
Outside of work, I can usually be found building self-sustaining terrariums, hunting for antiques with stories to tell, playing video games, experimenting in the kitchen, or exploring new areas with my husband and our dogs.
Values I operate and lead by
✨ Clarity
Create shared understanding of both the vision and the path forward for the team, partners, and stakeholders.
🤝 Trust
Build reliable, transparent, and empowering relationships as the foundation of successful collaboration.
💬 Communication
Prioritize openness, alignment, and storytelling to keep teams connected, informed, and inspired.
🙌 Collaboration
Foster strong partnerships within teams and across functions to achieve better outcomes together.
❤️ Human focused
Ground in the needs of people for both leadership and designed experiences.
🏄♀️ Adaptability
Navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities with flexibility and confidence.
get in touch
Open to new opportunities
I’m casually exploring new opportunities that might be an amazing fit with my skillset and what I love to work on. I’d be best suited for design leadership roles where I can collaborate with my team and cross-functional leaders to bring clarity to ambiguous and/or complex spaces. I also thrive working on platform experiences. I strive to build physchological safety
Find me on the internet
LinkedIn →
Email me →
See my resume →
Bringing clarity to complexity through human-centered design leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
about me
I’m a design leader who thrives on solving complex, ambiguous problems in enterprise and B2B spaces. Currently at Adobe, I lead a platform design team shaping Adobe Express into a modular, extensible creative app used by millions. My focus is turning complexity into clarity, whether that means architecting a cohesive platform across products, designing frictionless developer experiences, or guiding a team through ambiguous problem spaces.
Over the course of my career, I have been able to use my systems-thinking super power in every role. I specialize in connecting the dots across people, products, and processes. Sometimes that looks like creating a unifying platform vision across multiple business units. Other times it’s about spotting patterns that allow us to scale faster, or building the right connections across teams so everyone can move forward together. At the team level, I am equally focused on connecting the dots for individuals by helping designers grow in their craft, expand their influence, and see how their work ladders up to bigger business goals.
My path here has not been linear. With a BFA in Graphic Design, I started as a front-end developer, shifted into UX design, explored research and strategy, and now lead high-performing design teams. That journey gave me a broad perspective on how organizations work and a toolkit for solving problems from many angles. It also gave me a deep appreciation for the often-overlooked developer experience, which has become one of my favorite areas to design for.
I believe the best design leadership is rooted in human connection. I lead with empathy, inclusivity, and collaboration, helping my teams feel empowered, my partners feel supported, and our products feel effortless. My goal is to cultivate teams that are not only high-performing, but also resilient, creative, and energized by the work we do together.
Outside of work, I can usually be found building self-sustaining terrariums, hunting for antiques with stories to tell, playing video games, experimenting in the kitchen, or exploring new areas with my husband and our dogs.
Values I operate and lead by
✨ Clarity
Create shared understanding of both the vision and the path forward for the team, partners, and stakeholders.
🤝 Trust
Build reliable, transparent, and empowering relationships as the foundation of successful collaboration.
💬 Communication
Prioritize openness, alignment, and storytelling to keep teams connected, informed, and inspired.
🙌 Collaboration
Foster strong partnerships within teams and across functions to achieve better outcomes together.
❤️ Human focused
Ground in the needs of people for both leadership and designed experiences.
🏄♀️ Adaptability
Navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities with flexibility and confidence.
get in touch
Open to new opportunities
I’m casually exploring new opportunities that might be an amazing fit with my skillset and what I love to work on. I’d be best suited for design leadership roles where I can collaborate with my team and cross-functional leaders to bring clarity to ambiguous and/or complex spaces. I also thrive working on platform experiences. I strive to build physchological safety
Find me on the internet
LinkedIn →
Email me →
See my resume →
Bringing clarity to complexity through human-centered design leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
about me
I’m a design leader who thrives on solving complex, ambiguous problems in enterprise and B2B spaces. Currently at Adobe, I lead a platform design team shaping Adobe Express into a modular, extensible creative app used by millions. My focus is turning complexity into clarity, whether that means architecting a cohesive platform across products, designing frictionless developer experiences, or guiding a team through ambiguous problem spaces.
Over the course of my career, I have been able to use my systems-thinking super power in every role. I specialize in connecting the dots across people, products, and processes. Sometimes that looks like creating a unifying platform vision across multiple business units. Other times it’s about spotting patterns that allow us to scale faster, or building the right connections across teams so everyone can move forward together. At the team level, I am equally focused on connecting the dots for individuals by helping designers grow in their craft, expand their influence, and see how their work ladders up to bigger business goals.
My path here has not been linear. With a BFA in Graphic Design, I started as a front-end developer, shifted into UX design, explored research and strategy, and now lead high-performing design teams. That journey gave me a broad perspective on how organizations work and a toolkit for solving problems from many angles. It also gave me a deep appreciation for the often-overlooked developer experience, which has become one of my favorite areas to design for.
I believe the best design leadership is rooted in human connection. I lead with empathy, inclusivity, and collaboration, helping my teams feel empowered, my partners feel supported, and our products feel effortless. My goal is to cultivate teams that are not only high-performing, but also resilient, creative, and energized by the work we do together.
Outside of work, I can usually be found building self-sustaining terrariums, hunting for antiques with stories to tell, playing video games, experimenting in the kitchen, or exploring new areas with my husband and our dogs.
Values I operate and lead by
✨ Clarity
Create shared understanding of both the vision and the path forward for the team, partners, and stakeholders.
🤝 Trust
Build reliable, transparent, and empowering relationships as the foundation of successful collaboration.
💬 Communication
Prioritize openness, alignment, and storytelling to keep teams connected, informed, and inspired.
🙌 Collaboration
Foster strong partnerships within teams and across functions to achieve better outcomes together.
❤️ Human focused
Ground in the needs of people for both leadership and designed experiences.
🏄♀️ Adaptability
Navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities with flexibility and confidence.
get in touch
Open to new opportunities
I’m casually exploring new opportunities that might be an amazing fit with my skillset and what I love to work on. I’d be best suited for design leadership roles where I can collaborate with my design team, cross-functional leaders, and cross-team leaders to bring clarity to ambiguous and/or complex spaces. I also thrive working on platform experiences. I strive to build a great team culture through psychological safety, trust, clarity, and a shared purpose. I also love coaching individual designers through change, difficult situations, and goal setting.
While I am currently located in Memphis, TN, I am very comfortable leading a global team across timezones. I am also open to relocation to the west coast.
Find me on the internet
LinkedIn →
Email me →
See my resume →
Shannon McCready
Bringing clarity to complexity through human-centered design leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
about me
I’m a design leader who thrives on solving complex, ambiguous problems in enterprise and B2B spaces. Currently at Adobe, I lead a platform design team shaping Adobe Express into a modular, extensible creative app used by millions. My focus is turning complexity into clarity, whether that means architecting a cohesive platform across products, designing frictionless developer experiences, or guiding a team through ambiguous problem spaces.
Over the course of my career, I have been able to use my systems-thinking super power in every role. I specialize in connecting the dots across people, products, and processes. Sometimes that looks like creating a unifying platform vision across multiple business units. Other times it’s about spotting patterns that allow us to scale faster, or building the right connections across teams so everyone can move forward together. At the team level, I am equally focused on connecting the dots for individuals by helping designers grow in their craft, expand their influence, and see how their work ladders up to bigger business goals.
My path here has not been linear. With a BFA in Graphic Design, I started as a front-end developer, shifted into UX design, explored research and strategy, and now lead high-performing design teams. That journey gave me a broad perspective on how organizations work and a toolkit for solving problems from many angles. It also gave me a deep appreciation for the often-overlooked developer experience, which has become one of my favorite areas to design for.
I believe the best design leadership is rooted in human connection. I lead with empathy, inclusivity, and collaboration, helping my teams feel empowered, my partners feel supported, and our products feel effortless. My goal is to cultivate teams that are not only high-performing, but also resilient, creative, and energized by the work we do together.
Outside of work, I can usually be found building self-sustaining terrariums, hunting for antiques with stories to tell, playing video games, experimenting in the kitchen, or exploring new areas with my husband and our dogs.
Values I operate and lead by
✨ Clarity
Create shared understanding of both the vision and the path forward for the team, partners, and stakeholders.
🤝 Trust
Build reliable, transparent, and empowering relationships as the foundation of successful collaboration.
💬 Communication
Prioritize openness, alignment, and storytelling to keep teams connected, informed, and inspired.
🙌 Collaboration
Foster strong partnerships within teams and across functions to achieve better outcomes together.
❤️ Human focused
Ground in the needs of people for both leadership and designed experiences.
🏄♀️ Adaptability
Navigate ambiguity and shifting priorities with flexibility and confidence.
get in touch
Open to new opportunities
I’m casually exploring new opportunities that might be an amazing fit with my skillset and what I love to work on. I’d be best suited for design leadership roles where I can collaborate with my design team, cross-functional leaders, and cross-team leaders to bring clarity to ambiguous and/or complex spaces. I also thrive working on platform experiences. I strive to build a great team culture through psychological safety, trust, clarity, and a shared purpose. I also love coaching individual designers through change, difficult situations, and goal setting.
While I am currently located in Memphis, TN, I am very comfortable leading a global team across timezones. I am also open to relocation to the west coast.
Find me on the internet
LinkedIn →
Email me →
See my resume →