Her Story
About Ramya
She is Senior product designer with 6+ years of experience leading design strategy and 0→1 product execution across enterprise AI, accessibility-first products, and fortune 100 organizations. As UX Design Lead at SF Civic Tech, Ramya Rajasekaran is helping shape earthquake preparedness and emergency response solutions that make Bay area community prepared, partnering with cross-functional leaders while mentoring designers to drive product quality and design excellence.
She has a proven track record of turning complex challenges into scalable product experiences, working closely with product and engineering teams at organizations including Boeing and FourKites. A published IEEE researcher in AI accessibility and usability, Ramya is also co-authoring an upcoming peer-reviewed AI journal publication, reflecting her commitment to building responsible, accessible, and human-centered AI.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ramya
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my family, who have always believed in me, and to the incredible mentors I've had throughout my career. People like Andrew Wilbur, Ted Selker, Manoj Nath, and many others have guided me, challenged me, and encouraged me to keep growing. Their support has helped me become a better designer, leader, and person, and I'm truly grateful for everyone who has been part of my journey.
Ted Selker : https://ted.selker.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-selker/
Andrew Wilbur : https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewwilbur/
Manoj Nath : https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojnath4u/
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
setbacks don't define you how you rise from them does. Life will test your resilience, but every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser. Never let difficult moments stop you from becoming who you're meant to be!
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Stay curious, and don't be afraid to take up space. Find mentors who inspire you, support other women along the way, and remember that your unique perspective is your greatest strength.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
According to me the more advanced AI becomes, the more valuable human-centered design becomes. Great products won't be defined by how intelligent the technology is, but by how well they understand and support the people using them.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
For me, it's about staying authentic, leading with empathy, and never losing the desire to learn. Technology will continue to evolve, but kindness, humility, and putting people first are values that never go out of style.
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