Nikki Singer

I consider myself a quick learner, and once I commit to something, I'm all in. I'll go down a rabbit hole and try to learn as much as possible. I've always been a good student and I enjoy learning in general, so I think that helps. I'm very inquisitive and ask a lot of questions, and through that involvement, I end up forming relationships with people. They see how interested I am and tend to gravitate towards that, bringing me into other areas where I meet more people. Over time, you form a network of contacts and you learn a lot, maybe even a little bit quicker. I'm a pretty determined person - it's always been part of who I am. I've also been really lucky to meet some great people in my career who have become awesome mentors for me. My whole philosophy is that you don't need to be cutthroat or play politics to get ahead. I believe that you can make it far just being yourself and being kind. Kindness goes a long way. Being kind, honest, transparent, and just yourself will get you farther than anything else. That's a huge philosophy of mine and something I will not change or fudge on.

The best career advice I ever received came from my dad, who was a man of few words. One day he simply told me, 'I think you should change your career to UX.' At the time, I was working in advertising and marketing, and I realized he was right - I didn't want to do advertising anymore. That advice completely changed the trajectory of my career and led me to where I am today in UX design, doing work that I'm truly passionate about.

Do not wait until you feel 100% ready to take up space.

So many women feel like they need to know everything, have every qualification, or prove themselves before speaking up or going after an opportunity. The truth is, no one has it all figured out. Confidence is something you build by doing, not something you magically have beforehand.

Trust your instincts, ask questions, stay curious, and do not be afraid to use your voice. Find people who support you, learn from those around you, and remember that your perspective matters. The things that make you different—your experiences, your empathy, your way of thinking—are often your greatest strengths.

And perhaps most importantly, know that you do not have to become someone else to be successful. You are allowed to lead in a way that feels authentic to you.

One of the biggest challenges—and opportunities—in user experience right now is the rapid pace of change, especially with the rise of AI and emerging technology.

The way people interact with products, information, and brands is evolving quickly, which means our industry has to evolve just as quickly. While that can feel overwhelming at times, it is also incredibly exciting. It gives us the opportunity to rethink how we design experiences, create more personalized and meaningful interactions, and solve problems in new ways.

At the same time, I think there is a real need to make sure we do not lose the human side of design. Technology can make things faster and more efficient, but empathy, connection, and understanding people’s needs will always matter. The biggest opportunity is finding the balance between innovation and humanity.

The values most important to me are authenticity, kindness, and supporting other women. I firmly believe that you don't need to play politics or be cutthroat to succeed in corporate environments. You can make it far just being yourself and being kind, honest, and transparent. Kindness goes a long way, and that's a philosophy I will never compromise on. Women supporting women is another huge value for me - I'm passionate about empowering women in all stages of life, which is why I started my side business specifically to help and support female founders of small businesses. Everything I do is for my two little girls, ages 4 and 2. They're my everything and a huge inspiration. Setting a good example for them drives me, even on days when I don't feel like going to work. Family is incredibly important to us, and we prioritize being outdoors together, whether that's hiking, camping, biking, or paddleboarding. Being outside and staying active as a family is a core value in our lives.