Hi! I’m Justine.
I turn ambiguous problems into things that work.
I build programs, products, experiences and new ways of working — helping teams figure out what matters, bring people together around it, and turn ideas into action.
01 / what i do
Different problems. A consistent role.
I’ve spent my career stepping into work that isn’t fully figured out yet.
Sometimes that has meant building a technology solution when none existed. Sometimes redesigning an organizational process, launching a new program, developing a strategy, transforming a customer experience or bringing a complex initiative from idea to reality.
The settings have changed. The work I do best hasn’t:
Whatever the setting, I tend to play the same role: find what matters, make complexity coherent, bring the right people together, and move ambitious work forward.
“The solution that you built, with virtually no user requirements, was a phenomenal accomplishment for which the entire team benefited. My understanding is that this is typical of all the work you have done for us.”
VP, Business Operations, Iridium
02 / selected work
A few things I’ve built.
Built a customer strategy that helped sales grow nearly 500%
FPGirl.com · Venture-backed startup
At an early-stage technology and manufacturing company, I built a new online customer experience that brought girls directly into product decisions and conversations. Within six months, customers had submitted more than 75,000 responses, and the community ultimately grew to more than one million registered users.
Led an award-winning enterprise technology initiative
MCI · Enterprise Technology
I took over an invoice platform redesign that was behind schedule, delivered it on time, and kept it in production through a late-stage mainframe crisis. The work supported MCI One’s consolidated customer bill and earned multiple awards, culminating in MCI’s elite Circle of Excellence.
Saw an operational gap. Built and scaled a global solution.
Iridium · Technology / Global Operations
While managing startup business operations across partner sites in Thailand, China and Taiwan, I saw that Iridium’s international service providers had no effective way to share solutions as they prepared for commercial launch. So I built one. The technology solution was adopted and deployed across all 11 global gateways.
Built a university innovation function from the ground up.
University of New England · Program Development / Organizational Innovation
I was hired to lead UNE’s makerspace; within six months, the role had grown into leading the university’s newly created Office of Innovation. I built programs, partnerships and initiatives across the university, and a lead donor increased his support fivefold in a single year. In 2022, Maine Magazine named me one of 23 Mainers of the Year.
Redesigned the development process, increasing visitor engagement 300%
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History · Process Transformation
Educational activities at one of the world’s most-visited museums could take years to develop, with little visitor input along the way. I redesigned the process around the people actually using it — cutting development time dramatically and increasing visitor engagement 300%.
“As I look back on a tumultuous year, our work with you was truly a highlight. I now believe we have a strong direction for our company.”
Judi Danforth, Founder, Danforth Pewter
03 / how i work
Find the signal
I ask questions, listen closely, look at the evidence and get underneath the presenting problem. I’m comfortable entering situations where the answer isn’t obvious.
Make it coherent
I turn complexity into something people can understand and act on: a strategy, process, prototype, program, visual model or clear next move.
Create momentum
I bring people together around a direction, turn discussion into decisions and keep ambitious work moving toward results.
“Bringing together a group of people that have different opinions and priorities can be challenging, but you asked important questions, allowed time for discernment and discussion, and made sure all voices were heard and validated.”
Elizabeth Crampsey, University of New England
04 / career story
My career hasn’t followed a straight line. The throughline is clear.
I started in technology and business operations, managing complex projects and working internationally. Since then, I’ve moved across startups, consulting, museums, healthcare and higher education, repeatedly taking on work that needed to be figured out, built or transformed.
That range has become one of my strengths. I learn new environments quickly, see connections across disciplines, and am comfortable working at every level — from frontline employees to founders and senior executives.
More recently, I’ve worked with leadership teams on strategy, customer experience, innovation and organizational change. I’m now looking to bring that range inside an organization, owning meaningful work and staying with it long enough to see what it becomes. I’m especially interested in strategic programs, business operations, transformation, customer experience and other cross-functional initiatives where the path isn’t completely mapped yet.
05 / what others say
The pattern, in other peoples’ words.
“Justine had a tough assignment, to turn around a flagging account. She not only gained the trust of client stakeholders but also delivered a distinctive proposal that resulted in our displacing the lead consultancy. She demonstrated top-tier abilities in selling and relationship management, and also effectively managed technology teams in three cities.”
Glenn Giles · Vice President
Idea Integration
“Through your creativity, tenacity and commitment to great visitor experience, you have inspired us and challenged us to work harder, think bigger, and appreciate the value of good design in everything we do. You have left your signature on some of the museum’s most successful activities and programs and helped us communicate our work more clearly than we ever could have without you.”
Colleen Popson · Manager, Experience Design
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
“Justine helped our nurses see themselves as innovators. The design sprints brought our team’s idea for a microlearning app to life, turning a concept into a tangible, practical tool. Our team left with not only a strong prototype but also the confidence and leadership mindset to continue driving innovation. Working with Justine didn’t just create a product; it sparked a culture of innovation that continues to inspire our organization.”
Kathleen Sheehan-Tarte · Director of Nurse Education
MaineHealth
“I offered an idea and a vision…and you breathed life into it.”
Dr. Christopher Hunt · Associate Provost
University of New England