We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tina Gada a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tina, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Life often presents us with choices that define our future, testing our courage and resolve. One such turning point in my life was my decision to pursue a Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) at SUNY Oswego University in the United States. This was not just a leap toward higher education but a bold step that entailed significant personal, financial, and emotional risks.

The Backstory: From Modest Beginnings to Ambitious Aspirations
Growing up in a traditional and conservative family in Mumbai, India, I was not expected to excel academically or have a glorious career. As a girl child, societal and familial expectations were limited, and I faced judgment and belittlement due to my vernacular schooling background. Despite these challenges, I was determined to carve an identity for myself. My journey began with my aspiration to study Engineering, which I pursued with relentless focus and persistence.

The Decision: Embracing the Unknown
The real test of my resolve came when I decided to pursue my Master’s degree in HCI in the United States. This decision was fraught with risks. Financially, it meant bearing the hefty tuition fees and living expenses. Emotionally, it meant stepping out of my comfort zone, leaving behind my family, and adapting to a new culture and education system. The stakes were high, and failure was not an option.

Funding My Dream: The Financial Hurdle
Determined to fund my studies independently, I utilized my savings for the initial expenses. However, I knew my savings would not suffice for the entire program duration. To secure my future, I aimed to achieve academic excellence and secure a scholarship. My hard work paid off when I was awarded a scholarship based on my academic performance, alleviating some of the financial burden.

The Emotional Toll: Navigating Personal Loss
During this period, I faced one of the most challenging times of my life. My father passed away, plunging me into a period of deep emotional and financial turmoil. The loss was profound, but it also catalyzed my determination. I channeled my grief into my studies, knowing that my father would have wanted me to succeed.

The Outcome: A Journey of Growth and Transformation
Despite the hurdles, my journey in the United States was transformative. The rigorous academic curriculum and exposure to a diverse and innovative environment honed my skills and broadened my perspectives. My challenges taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of perseverance.

Today, as a Senior User Experience Designer in the Cross Offer Experience family within the Digital Advice Platform (DAP) at Vanguard, I look back at this decision with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The risk I took defined my career and shaped my character. It taught me that stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing uncertainty is essential for growth and success.

My journey from a modest beginning in Mumbai to becoming an influential UX Designer in the United States is a testament to the power of dreams, determination, and resilience. It is a story that inspires others to challenge the status quo, take bold risks, and pursue their dreams relentlessly.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

At the core of my design philosophy is the belief that we design for people. I strive to create technology and design solutions that serve as bridges to connect diverse individuals and empower them, regardless of their backgrounds. This principle guided my pioneering initiative at Citi, where I enabled transgender and non-binary individuals to update their preferred names. This progressive gesture improved customer satisfaction and set a precedent for inclusivity in FinTech.

My portfolio also boasts a transcending impact on Citi’s customers through redesigning the Certificate of Deposit (CD) experience and addressing various customer pain points. By streamlining the CD process, simplifying navigation, and improving transparency, I significantly boosted overall customer engagement, which positioned Citi as a leader in delivering exceptional banking experiences.

I continue to live by this maxim while working with Vanguard, focusing on improving the Digital Advisor Platform Experience. Currently, I am strategizing design solutions for their investment features, such as Tax Loss Harvesting and ESG portfolios, to facilitate hassle-free and productive customer engagement.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Absolutely, there is a particular goal driving my creative journey: to make digital experiences more accessible and inclusive for everyone. This mission is at the heart of everything I do, and it fuels my passion for user experience design.

Accessibility and inclusivity are not just design principles to me; they are essential components of creating technology that serves all users, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to ensuring that every product I work on is designed with empathy and a deep understanding of diverse user needs.

One of my proudest achievements is the initiative I led at Citi, where I enabled transgender and non-binary individuals to update their preferred names. This progressive gesture, simple yet profound, significantly improved customer satisfaction and set a precedent for diversity in FinTech. It underscored the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique needs of diverse populations.

At Vanguard, my focus remains steadfast on accessibility and inclusivity. I strive to create design solutions that are not only user-friendly but also empower users to engage with financial services without barriers. Whether it’s designing for investment features like Tax Loss Harvesting and ESG portfolios or improving the overall user experience, my goal is to ensure that our platforms are welcoming and usable for everyone.

Inclusivity in design means considering a wide range of factors, from visual and cognitive impairments to cultural and language differences. It requires a holistic approach that goes beyond compliance and looks at the real-world impact on users’ lives. By incorporating feedback from diverse user groups and continuously iterating on our designs, I aim to create products that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of all users.

Ultimately, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and people, creating experiences that are not only functional but also meaningful and enriching. By championing accessibility and inclusivity, I believe we can build a digital world where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to achieve their goals.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Several resources have significantly influenced my management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy. Among them, “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries has been pivotal, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation and learning in creating sustainable business models. Similarly, “Don’t Make Me Think” by Steve Krug has profoundly shaped my approach to user experience design, highlighting the necessity of simplicity and intuitive design. Additionally, Simon Sinek’s TED Talk, “How Great Leaders Inspire Action,” has impacted my leadership style by stressing the power of having a clear vision and purpose. Collectively, these resources have reinforced my commitment to user-centricity, innovation, and effective leadership in my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tinagada.in/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-gada/