A woman looking over a vast landscape of water and mountains

Built on Curiosity

I’ve led product design across industries and disciplines—crafting scalable systems, aligning vision, and always keeping people at the center. Through story-driven design and systems thinking, I help teams do their best work—and find joy along the way.

Read my story

View a work sample

A woman looking over a vast landscape of water and mountains

Built on Curiosity

I’ve led product design across industries and disciplines—crafting scalable systems, aligning vision, and always keeping people at the center. Through story-driven design and systems thinking, I help teams do their best work—and find joy along the way.

Read my story

View a work sample

Built on Curiosity

I’ve led product design across industries and disciplines—crafting scalable systems, aligning vision, and always keeping people at the center. Through story-driven design and systems thinking, I help teams do their best work—and find joy along the way.

Read my story

View a work sample

A woman looking over a vast landcape of water and moiuntains

Built on Curiosity

I’ve led product design across industries and disciplines—crafting scalable systems, aligning vision, and always keeping people at the center. Through story-driven design and systems thinking, I help teams do their best work—and find joy along the way.

Read my story

View a work sample

My Core Values

My Core Values

Love for building—design systems, teams, and strategies.

Love for building—design systems, teams, and strategies.

Love for building—design systems, teams, and strategies.

Leading teamwork in mission-driven environments where collaboration makes a meaningful difference.

Leading teamwork in mission-driven environments where collaboration makes a meaningful difference.

Leading teamwork in mission-driven environments where collaboration makes a meaningful difference.

Adaptability—corporate, startups, e-commerce, tech, and enterprise settings.

Adaptability—corporate, startups, e-commerce, tech, and enterprise settings.

Adaptability—corporate, startups, e-commerce, tech, and enterprise settings.

a porfolio of work showing a color coded design system laid open
a porfolio of work showing a color coded design system laid open

I created a scalable design system that unified seasonal retail marketing across global locations—reducing design time by 40% and increasing campaign consistency → I discovered how color and form can communicate faster than words across cultures and teams.

I created a scalable design system that unified seasonal retail marketing across global locations—reducing design time by 40% and increasing campaign consistency → I discovered how color and form can communicate faster than words across cultures and teams.

I created a scalable design system that unified seasonal retail marketing across global locations—reducing design time by 40% and increasing campaign consistency → I discovered how color and form can communicate faster than words across cultures and teams.

Global Retail Design System for Urban Decay Cosmetics · 2011

As illustrator and digital lead, I partnered with cross-functional teams on seasonal merchandise and award-winning campaigns—boosting social engagement and seasonal sales. → I learned that the best design emerges when diverse minds build together.

As illustrator and digital lead, I partnered with cross-functional teams on seasonal merchandise and award-winning campaigns—boosting social engagement and seasonal sales. → I learned that the best design emerges when diverse minds build together.

As illustrator and digital lead, I partnered with cross-functional teams on seasonal merchandise and award-winning campaigns—boosting social engagement and seasonal sales. → I learned that the best design emerges when diverse minds build together.

New Product Launches for Philosophy Skincare · 2012

a group of smiling coworkers
a group of smiling coworkers

I championed the integration of social media into the core marketing strategy, leading early campaigns that attracted 100K+ followers and generated over 2 million data points to inform future content. → I discovered my passion for innovation and the power of technology to build community and insight.

I championed the integration of social media into the core marketing strategy, leading early campaigns that attracted 100K+ followers and generated over 2 million data points to inform future content. → I discovered my passion for innovation and the power of technology to build community and insight.

I championed the integration of social media into the core marketing strategy, leading early campaigns that attracted 100K+ followers and generated over 2 million data points to inform future content. → I discovered my passion for innovation and the power of technology to build community and insight.

Growth Strategy for Philosophy Skincare · 2013

During a time of organizational transition, I created a Gratitude Room—an intentional space for reflection, support, and shared acknowledgment. → I learned that vulnerability, grace, and care are quiet forms of leadership that can hold teams together.

During a time of organizational transition, I created a Gratitude Room—an intentional space for reflection, support, and shared acknowledgment. → I learned that vulnerability, grace, and care are quiet forms of leadership that can hold teams together.

During a time of organizational transition, I created a Gratitude Room—an intentional space for reflection, support, and shared acknowledgment. → I learned that vulnerability, grace, and care are quiet forms of leadership that can hold teams together.

People Leadership at Philosophy Skincare · 2014

I helped secure $2M in funding, led a product revamp, built a cross-functional team, and launched new media on the blockchain.→ I gained firsthand experience in 0→1 innovation—and realized how fringe tech pushes my creative limits.

I helped secure $2M in funding, led a product revamp, built a cross-functional team, and launched new media on the blockchain.→ I gained firsthand experience in 0→1 innovation—and realized how fringe tech pushes my creative limits.

I helped secure $2M in funding, led a product revamp, built a cross-functional team, and launched new media on the blockchain.→ I gained firsthand experience in 0→1 innovation—and realized how fringe tech pushes my creative limits.

Product Leadership at Vevue · 2014-2018

I led a successful product pivot, shifting offerings from in-person to online during the pandemic—driving $20M in annual revenue.→ I learned that gut, grit, and grind are the cornerstones of survival in times of disruption.

I led a successful product pivot, shifting offerings from in-person to online during the pandemic—driving $20M in annual revenue.→ I learned that gut, grit, and grind are the cornerstones of survival in times of disruption.

I led a successful product pivot, shifting offerings from in-person to online during the pandemic—driving $20M in annual revenue.→ I learned that gut, grit, and grind are the cornerstones of survival in times of disruption.

Leading the Digital Shift for ActivityHero · 2020

Led end-to-end design for a C2C kids’ activity marketplace, increasing cart conversions by 12% and onboarding by 7% through targeted A/B testing. → I learned how data can sharpen every design detail.

Led end-to-end design for a C2C kids’ activity marketplace, increasing cart conversions by 12% and onboarding by 7% through targeted A/B testing. → I learned how data can sharpen every design detail.

Led end-to-end design for a C2C kids’ activity marketplace, increasing cart conversions by 12% and onboarding by 7% through targeted A/B testing. → I learned how data can sharpen every design detail.

Designing with Data at ActivityHero · 2021

Drove +113% revenue growth during key campaigns by aligning cross-divisional teams and elevating design strategy. Bonus: our team won a hackathon.→ I learned how to clearly articulate design decisions and lead with empathy.

Drove +113% revenue growth during key campaigns by aligning cross-divisional teams and elevating design strategy. Bonus: our team won a hackathon.→ I learned how to clearly articulate design decisions and lead with empathy.

Drove +113% revenue growth during key campaigns by aligning cross-divisional teams and elevating design strategy. Bonus: our team won a hackathon.→ I learned how to clearly articulate design decisions and lead with empathy.

Evangelizing UX Design at REI Co-op · 2022-24

I developed and executed UX strategy to sunset a multi-platform business with care and clarity—ensuring a respectful experience for users and teams. → I learned that even in endings, thoughtful design and perspective can guide the way forward.

I developed and executed UX strategy to sunset a multi-platform business with care and clarity—ensuring a respectful experience for users and teams. → I learned that even in endings, thoughtful design and perspective can guide the way forward.

I developed and executed UX strategy to sunset a multi-platform business with care and clarity—ensuring a respectful experience for users and teams. → I learned that even in endings, thoughtful design and perspective can guide the way forward.

UX for Difficult Decisions at REI Co-op · 2025

now & beyond

Over the past ten years, I have also raised two incredible children, volunteered at schools, joined communities that make a difference, built a successful mission-driven business with my sister, grown as a wife and partner, and perhaps even improved a bit at golf.→ I've learned I love working on challenging products, building communities, having fun, and doing things I never thought I'd do before.

Over the past ten years, I have also raised two incredible children, volunteered at schools, joined communities that make a difference, built a successful mission-driven business with my sister, grown as a wife and partner, and perhaps even improved a bit at golf.→ I've learned I love working on challenging products, building communities, having fun, and doing things I never thought I'd do before.

Over the past ten years, I have also raised two incredible children, volunteered at schools, joined communities that make a difference, built a successful mission-driven business with my sister, grown as a wife and partner, and perhaps even improved a bit at golf.→ I've learned I love working on challenging products, building communities, having fun, and doing things I never thought I'd do before.

Let's make memorable moments together.

Let's make memorable moments together.

Let's make memorable moments together.

I'm getting ready to write my next chapter and would love to work with a team penning their next one too. I'd love to be your next leader if you're in retail, beauty, wellness or travel, looking to optimize your ecommerce or marketplace UX.

I also know many incredibly talented professionals in product & tech who may be interested in networking.

I'm getting ready to write my next chapter and would love to work with a team penning their next one too. I'd love to be your next leader if you're in retail, beauty, wellness or travel, looking to optimize your ecommerce or marketplace UX.

I also know many incredibly talented professionals in product & tech who may be interested in networking.

I'm getting ready to write my next chapter and would love to work with a team penning their next one too. I'd love to be your next leader if you're in retail, beauty, wellness or travel, looking to optimize your ecommerce or marketplace UX.

I also know many incredibly talented professionals in product & tech who may be interested in networking.

Connect on LinkedIn →

I'm honored to have contributed work to these organizations

I'm honored to have contributed work to these organizations

I'm honored to have contributed work to these organizations

Learn about my work process →


Take it from my teammates & clients

Take it from my teammates & clients


Take it from my teammates & clients


Take it from my teammates & clients

Kathrine’s innovative and flexible design allowed us to iterate REI’s Adventure Travel business’s home page hero rapidly and efficiently. Using A/B testing and analytics Kathrine was able to guide our team in delivering a new user experience that drove products and offerings to our customers in new and exciting ways by using multiple component variants that could be configured in real time.

Aaron Matthews

Senior Engineer, REI Co-op

Kathrine Olson is a star performer. She is smart, dedicated, quick, focused and has attention to details. She would be a great asset to any team she joins! I would hire her again in a heartbeat!

Shilpa Dalmia

CTO, ActivityHero

Having Kathrine on your team is setting yourself up for success. At REI, I saw her lead landing page improvements that generated sales, she designed user experiences that streamlined checkout flows, she knew how to collaborate with folks to gather the best ideas, and she brought a positive attitude to the team that we all appreciated. Even after having changed teams myself, I still look to her for insights and wisdom about what's to come. I highly recommend her for leading any team or product.

David Sinclair

Senior Engineer, REI Co-op

Kathrine guided the vision for our customer experience with thoughtfulness and acute awareness of the business we were trying to build, making for some truly excellent design and product work. Her creativity shined as she inspired and collaborated with us to build things better for our customers. But I love it when folks can bring more to the team than their role, and it’s hard to overstate how much joy she brought to us. Kathrine is a tremendously good influence on those around her and her cheerful attitude kept the team positive even through difficult times. She made everyone feel included and was a major builder of culture in our group. We were lucky to get to work with her.

Travis Logan

Senior Development Management, REI Co-op