Her Story
About Ketki
Ketki Hardas is a UX Designer II at Amazon with more than a decade of experience spanning software development, design operations, and user experience strategy. She began her career in 2014 as a web developer shortly after completing her undergraduate degree in engineering, but it was her firsthand exposure to usability challenges affecting customer adoption that drew her toward design. That realization led her to pursue a Master of Science in Technology Innovation at the University of Washington's GIX program, where she deepened her formal training in balancing desirability, viability, and feasibility.
Prior to joining Amazon, Hardas held UX and design operations roles at Motorola Solutions, where she led usability and findability improvements across wearables, mobile, and desktop products used by more than a million public safety personnel throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe, while also streamlining operations across global design teams. She has also contributed to design leadership in the startup world through her work at RadicalX and supported an early-stage Microsoft AI initiative aimed at improving outcomes for diabetic patients worldwide. Across these roles, her engineering background has consistently informed a practical, human-centered approach to product design.
Beyond her core design work, Hardas is deeply engaged in community building and mentorship. She serves as the Seattle Chapter Local Leader for the Interaction Design Foundation, organizing monthly meetups for the local UX community, and mentors emerging designers through ADPList. She is currently focused on exploring how designers can meaningfully contribute to and collaborate with artificial intelligence, and she remains guided by a philosophy centered on prioritization, continuous learning, and the courage to speak up.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ketki
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the support of the mentors and managers I've had along the way, combined with my own discipline around prioritization. I've made it a point to follow the practical advice my mentors gave me, and I've learned to trust the process instead of rushing through the steps that get me to where I want to be.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received was foundational and practical — things like staying calm in meetings and learning how to present my ideas clearly. It sounds simple, but putting those basics into consistent practice made a real difference in how I show up professionally.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't be shy to share your voice. If your gut or your judgment is telling you something, don't hold back just because of who else is in the room. There's always a respectful, thoughtful way to present an idea, but it's important to speak up rather than staying silent. I'd also add: don't rush the process — trust the steps as they come.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunity I see right now is the growth of AI and how designers can engage with and design alongside AI tools and ecosystems. On the challenge side, I find that balancing the many hats I wear — both emotionally and practically — takes real intention, and prioritization is what helps me manage that.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Prioritization, continuous learning, and curiosity are central to how I work. I also value speaking up and advocating for myself and others, trusting the process rather than forcing outcomes, and family.
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