Transforming design investment into measurable returns.🍦
Transforming design investment into measurable returns.🍦
Melbourne-based product & design leader. I reduce ambiguity, build scalable frameworks, and help teams ship. Executive advisor when direction is needed. Hands-on when it matters.
I'm Neha Karira, a Melbourne-based design leader, industry speaker and mentor to emerging leaders.
From early ideas to complex platforms,
I reduce ambiguity, build scalable frameworks, and help teams ship with confidence. Executive advisor when direction is needed. Hands-on designer when progress is critical. Co-founder of Vibe Coding Club.
Product · UX/UI Design · CX · Service Design · UX Research · AI Evaluation
Product · UX/UI Design · CX · Service Design · UX Research · AI Evaluation
Product · UX/UI Design · CX · Service Design · UX Research · AI Evaluation
YEARS AS A DESIGNER
10+ IN LEADERSHIP
FASTER DISCOVERY CYCLES THROUGH AI & DESIGN OPS
PLATFORMS LED FOR
B2B & B2C EXPERIENCES
CUSTOMERS IMPACTED GLOBALLY
YEARS AS A DESIGNER
10+ IN LEADERSHIP
FASTER DISCOVERY CYCLES THROUGH AI & DESIGN OPS
PLATFORMS LED FOR
B2B & B2C EXPERIENCES
CUSTOMERS IMPACTED GLOBALLY
YEARS AS A DESIGNER
10+ IN DESIGN
LEADERSHIP
FASTER DISCOVERY
CYCLES THROUGH
AI & DESIGN OPS
PLATFORMS LED
FOR B2B & B2C
EXPERIENCES
CUSTOMERS
IMPACTED
GLOBALLY
Nearly two decades 🦕 of craft and
impact, across Fortune 50 & ASX 50.
Nearly two decades 🦕 of craft and impact, across Fortune 50 & ASX 50.
Nearly two decades 🦕
of craft and impact, across
Fortune 50
& ASX 50.
Org Design at Scale
$4M+ practice footprint
$60K annual savings
Board-ready strategy
Design, Research, CX capability built
0 → 1 Innovation
Proof of concept
pre-seed stage
Rapid state-wide
service delivery
Global Systems UX
25+ languages ERP
NBN-ready web refresh
Regulated CX
3-year digital transformation portfolio
Legacy migration
for loyalty & rewards
Industry Leadership
Conference speaker
Industry panelist
Masterclass | Workshops
Org Design at Scale
$4M+ practice footprint
$60K annual savings
Board-ready strategy
Design, Research, CX capability built
0 → 1 Innovation
Proof of concept pre-seed stage
Rapid state-wide service delivery
Global Systems UX
25+ languages ERP
NBN-ready web refresh
Regulated CX
3-year digital transformation portfolio
Legacy migration for loyalty & rewards
Industry Leadership
Conference speaker
Industry panelist
Masterclass | Workshops
Org Design at Scale
$4M+ practice footprint
$60K annual savings
Board-ready strategy
Design capability built
Global Systems UX
25+ languages ERP & Order Management System
NBN-ready web refresh
0 → 1 Innovation
Proof of concept pre-seed stage
Rapid state-wide service delivery
Regulated CX
3-year digital transformation
Legacy migration for loyalty
Industry Leadership
Conference speaker
Industry panelist
Masterclass | Workshops
Featured Work
Featured Work
Snippets only — the full story is better in conversation.
These are snippets. The decisions, challenges, and frameworks
are best discussed in conversations.
BUNNINGS
2021-2025
Building the design & research practice that shaped Digital 2030, tripled conversion and won the Australian accessibility award
Established Design CoE
Role: Head of Practice, Product Design & Research Focus: Design Leadership / Product Strategy / DesignOps / Digital OKRs 25+ initiatives across loyalty, commerce, and AI — Marketplace, OnePass, Search, Payments, Chatbot. Built the design CoE, embedded governance, grew emerging leaders, and connected design directly to business ROI.
BUNNINGS
2021-2025
Building the design & research practice that shaped Digital 2030, tripled conversion and won the Australian accessibility award
Established Design CoE
Role: Head of Practice, Product Design & Research Focus: Design Leadership / Product Strategy / DesignOps / Digital OKRs 25+ initiatives across loyalty, commerce, and AI — Marketplace, OnePass, Search, Payments, Chatbot. Built the design CoE, embedded governance, grew emerging leaders, and connected design directly to business ROI.
ANZ
2021
Rebuilding a legacy rewards platform in record 6 months, still powering strong conversion 5 years on
Role: Experience Design Lead
Focus: Product Design / Journey Expertise / Rapid Delivery / Platform Migration
End-to-End Transformation
Role: Experience Design Lead Focus: Product Design / Journey Expertise / Rapid Delivery / Platform Migration Rebuilt earn and redemption logic across B2B and B2C — migrating 1.5M+ customers without disruption, increasing redemption, and opening the door to new loyalty partners.
NEXT (REECE)
2020-2021
Designing the fleet safety app that reduced incidents by 25% and became investor-ready.
Predictive Telematics Systems
Role: Experience Design Lead Focus: App Design / Innovation Strategy / Product Management / MVP Delivery Turned telematics and fatigue signals into real-time driver coaching. Reduced incidents 25% without adding cognitive load. Built the innovation framework that made it repeatable.
LATITUDE
2019-2020
The fintech debt consolidation product that delivered 13% fewer defaults and scaled 200+ partners
Open Banking-Ready CX
Role: CX Manager Focus: Customer Segmentation / Product Design / Service Design / Risk Strategy Shaped UX across debt consolidation, PFM, and Open Banking. Designed risk-aware onboarding, ran segmentation research, defined MVP direction, and created service blueprints that aligned product, risk, and engineering.
AGL
2017-2019
Transforming energy retail CX, from sales to security, including 5-Minute Move that hit 84 NPS
Reimagining Digital Sales, Onboarding & Identity
Role: UX/UI Design Lead Focus: UX & Service Design / CX Transformation / Design System Turned a clunky 'move home' flow into a one-minute utility connection — 84 NPS. Co-designed the end-to-end Look & Choose journey with customers and BCG. Covered sales, sign-up, MFA, regulated pricing, and checkout. Re-architected the design system during the AEM migration.
BUNNINGS
2021-2025
Role:
Head of Practice, Product Design & Research
Focus:
Design Leadership / Product Strategy / DesignOps / Digital OKRs
Ecommerce
Web & App
Capability Building
Store → digital Connected Strategy
Building the design & research practice that shaped Digital 2030, tripled conversion and
won the Australian accessibility award
Established Design CoE across web & app tribes.
25+ initiatives across loyalty, commerce, and AI — Marketplace, OnePass, Search, Payments, Chatbot. Built the design CoE, embedded governance, grew emerging leaders, and connected design directly to business ROI.
BUNNINGS
2021-2025
Role:
Head of Practice, Product Design & Research
Focus:
Design Leadership / Product Strategy / DesignOps / Digital OKRs
Ecommerce
Web & App
Capability Building
Store → digital Connected Strategy
Building the design & research practice that shaped Digital 2030, tripled conversion and
won the Australian accessibility award
Established Design CoE across web & app tribes.
25+ initiatives across loyalty, commerce, and AI — Marketplace, OnePass, Search, Payments, Chatbot. Built the design CoE, embedded governance, grew emerging leaders, and connected design directly to business ROI.
BUNNINGS
2021-2025
Role:
Head of Practice, Product Design & Research
Focus:
Design Leadership / Product Strategy / DesignOps / Digital OKRs
Ecommerce
Web & App
Capability Building
Store → digital Connected Strategy
Building the design & research practice that shaped Digital 2030, tripled conversion and won the Australian accessibility award
Established Design CoE across all web & app tribes.
25+ initiatives across loyalty, commerce, and AI — Marketplace, OnePass, Search, Payments, Chatbot. Built the design CoE, embedded governance, grew emerging leaders, and connected design directly to business ROI.
ANZ
2021
Role:
Experience Design Lead
Focus:
Product Design / Journey Expertise / Rapid Delivery / Platform Migration
Loyalty
Banking
B2B & B2C
Risk & Regulation Compliant CX
Rebuilding a legacy rewards platform in record 6 months – still powering strong conversion 5 years on
End-to-End Rewards Transformation
Rebuilt earn and redemption logic across B2B and B2C — migrating 1.5M+ customers without disruption, increasing redemption, and opening the door to new loyalty partners.
BUNNINGS
2021-2025
Design Leadership / Digital Strategy / DesignOps
Ecommerce
NEXT (REECE GROUP)
2020-2021
Product & Experience Design Lead
App Design / Innovation Strategy / Product Management / MVP Delivery
Ecommerce
Retail
ANZ
2021
Role:
Experience Design Lead
Focus:
Product Design / Journey Expertise / Rapid Delivery / Platform Migration
Loyalty
Banking
B2B & B2C
Risk & Regulation Compliant CX
BUNNINGS
2021-2025
Role:
Head of Practice, Product Design & Research
Focus:
Design Leadership / Product Strategy / DesignOps / Digital OKRs
Ecommerce
Web & App
Capability & Competency Building
Rebuilding a legacy rewards platform in record 6 months – still powering strong conversion 5 years on
End-to-End Rewards Transformation
Rebuilt earn and redemption logic across B2B and B2C — migrating 1.5M+ customers without disruption, increasing redemption, and opening the door to new loyalty partners.
NEXT (REECE GROUP)
2020-2021
Product & Experience Design Lead
App Design / Innovation Strategy / Product Management / MVP Delivery
FleetTech
b2B
Machine Learning
Idea → Seed
BUNNINGS
2021-2025
Design Leadership / Digital Strategy / DesignOps
Ecommerce
Designing the fleet safety app that reduced incidents by 25% and became investor-ready.
Predictive Telematics Systems & Behavioural UX
Turned telematics and fatigue signals into real-time driver coaching. Reduced incidents 25% without adding cognitive load. Built the innovation framework that made it repeatable.
NEXT (REECE GROUP)
2020-2021
Product & Experience Design Lead
App Design / Innovation Strategy / Product Management / MVP Delivery
FleetTech
b2B
Machine Learning
Idea → Seed
Designing the fleet safety app that reduced incidents by 25% and became investor-ready.
Predictive Telematics Systems & Behavioural UX
Turned telematics and fatigue signals into real-time driver coaching. Reduced incidents 25% without adding cognitive load. Built the innovation framework that made it repeatable.
LATITUDE
2019-2020
Role:
CX Manager
Focus:
Customer Segmentation / Product Design / Service Design / Risk Strategy
FinTech
Open Banking
BNPL
Personal Finance Management Tool
The fintech debt consolidation product that delivered 13% fewer defaults and scaled
200+ partners
Open Banking-Ready Lending & PFM CX
Shaped UX across debt consolidation, PFM, and Open Banking. Designed risk-aware onboarding, ran segmentation research, defined MVP direction, and created service blueprints that aligned product, risk, and engineering.
AGL
2017-2019
Role:
UX/UI Design Lead
Focus:
UX & Service Design / CX Transformation / Design System
Energy
E2E Sales Experience
Identity & MFA
Acquisition & Retention
End-to-end energy retail CX — from sales to identity, including the one-minute onboarding that hit 84 NPS
End-to-end energy retail CX — from sales to identity, including the one-minute onboarding that hit 84 NPS
Reimagining Digital Sales, Onboarding & Identity
Turned a clunky 'move home' flow into a one-minute utility connection — 84 NPS. Co-designed the end-to-end Look & Choose journey with customers and BCG. Covered sales, sign-up, MFA, regulated pricing, and checkout. Re-architected the design system during the AEM migration.
The fintech debt consolidation product that delivered 13% fewer defaults and scaled
200+ partners
Open Banking-Ready Lending & PFM CX
Shaped UX across debt consolidation, PFM, and Open Banking. Designed risk-aware onboarding, ran segmentation research, defined MVP direction, and created service blueprints that aligned product, risk, and engineering.
LATITUDE
2019-2020
Role:
CX Manager
Focus:
Customer Segmentation / Product Design / Service Design / Risk Strategy
FinTech
Open Banking
BNPL
Personal Finance Management Tool
About me
Mum, painter, designer, adventure-sport lover, and my kid’s full-time chef & always-on Siri.
Lived and worked across four continents, now based in Melbourne. Currently consulting with startups and mid-to-large enterprises on Product, UX, CX and Digital Strategy.
Most recently Head of Design at Bunnings. Previously ANZ, Reece, AGL, Telstra, Deloitte.
I’m a mum, painter, designer, adventure-sport lover, and my kid’s full-time chef & always-on Siri. I’ve lived and worked across four continents before calling Melbourne home.
I currently consult independently for mid-to-large enterprises on product, UX and digital strategy.
Most recently, I led the design practice at Bunnings. Previously at ANZ, Reece, AGL, Telstra, and Deloitte.
I’m open to opportunities in Melbourne or remote across Australia, both contract and permanent. I’m a hands-on design leader who still enjoys being deep in the work to help businesses move faster.
Early 2000s
Foundation
Art school → Advertising, Digital
2010-2017
Craft
Big4 Consulting → UX, CX, Research
2018-2025
Scale
People Leadership → Design Practice
Present
Optimise
Customer Strategy → AI Workflows
Early 2000s
Foundation
Art school → Advertising, Branding, Digital
2010-2017
Craft
Big4 Consulting → UX, CX, Research
2018-2025
Scale
People Leadership → Design Practice
Present
Optimise
Customer Strategy → Artificial Intelligence
Leadership
What I bring to the table
Customer-first mindset, systems thinking, execution speed and the occasional handmade lemon cake. 🍰
Customer-first mindset, systems thinking, innovation and the occasional handmade lemon cake. 🍰
Customer-first mindset, systems thinking, innovation and the occasional handmade lemon cake. 🍰
1. I’ve been here before
Earning trust, setting foundation and building the right team, I've done this across enough organisations and stages to know what matters most, fast.
2. I stay close to the work
I shape direction at leadership level while staying close enough to delivery to know what's actually happening. That's what keeps strategy grounded.
3. I don’t let quality slip
As AI experiments and portfolios scale, quality needs active care. I think in systems, clear standards, evaluation frameworks, design governance, so teams do strong work consistently.
1. I’ve been here before
The early phase of a senior design role is often the hardest—earning trust, setting direction, and building the right team. I've done this across different organisations and stages, which helps me focus quickly on what matters most.
2. I stay close to the work
I'm comfortable shaping direction at leadership level while staying close enough to delivery to know what's really happening. That balance helps keep strategy grounded and teams aligned.
3. I don’t let quality slip
As AI experiments, teams, and portfolios grow, quality needs active care. I think in systems and focus on clear standards, evaluation frameworks, and design governance so teams can do strong work consistently without compromising on customer needs.
1. I’ve been here before
The early phase of a senior design role is often the hardest—earning trust, setting direction, and building the right team. I've done this across different organisations and stages, which helps me focus quickly on what matters most.
2. I stay close to the work
I'm comfortable shaping direction at leadership level while staying close enough to delivery to know what's really happening. That balance helps keep strategy grounded and teams aligned.
3. I don’t let quality slip
As the AI experiments, teams, and portfolios grow, quality needs active care. I think in systems and focus on clear standards, evaluation frameworks, and design governance so teams can do strong work consistently without compromising on customer needs.
How I lead teams
I give clear direction, build strong frameworks 🪜 and provide full autonomy.
Values
Principles
Mindset
→ People first
→ Excellence next
→ Ego last
→ Always learn
My 3Ts:
Trust.
Transparency.
Time.
Fast feedback beats perfect plans every time. Ship, learn, iterate, have fun and don't forget the business impact.
How I lead teams
I give clear direction, build strong frameworks 🪜 and provide full autonomy.
Values
Principles
Mindset
→ People first
→ Excellence next
→ Ego last
→ Always learn
My 3Ts:
Trust.
Transparency.
Time.
Fast feedback beats perfect plans every time. Ship, learn, iterate, have fun and don't forget the business impact.
How I lead teams
I give clear direction, build strong frameworks 🪜 and provide full autonomy.
Values
Principles
Mindset
→ People first
→ Excellence next
→ Ego last
→ Always learn
My 3Ts:
Trust.
Transparency.
Time.
Fast feedback beats perfect plans every time. Ship, learn, iterate, have fun and don't forget the business impact.
How I lead teams
I give clear direction, build strong frameworks 🪜 and provide full autonomy.
Values
→ People first
→ Excellence next
→ Ego last
→ Always learn
Principles
My 3Ts:
Trust.
Transparency.
Time.
Mindset
Fast feedback beats perfect plans every time. Ship, learn, iterate, have fun and don't forget the business impact.
Why AI needs me
The more AI we have, the more human judgment we need 💁🏻♀️
The more AI we have, the more human judgment we need 💁🏻♀️
The more AI we have, the more human judgment we need 💁🏻♀️
AI can audit, generate, and synthesise. It can't read the room, align competing stakeholders, or build teams that stay. That's where I come in. That's where I come in. Leveraging AI. Not replacing judgment.
Over the years I’ve developed a set of practical operating frameworks that
help teams move faster and make better decisions. Some of these include:
AI can audit, generate and synthesise. It can't read the room, align competing stakeholders or build teams that stay. That's where I come in. Leveraging AI. Not replacing judgment.
Over the years I’ve developed a set of practical operating frameworks that help
teams move faster and make better decisions. Some of these include Skills Matrices,
JIRA Discovery Framework, UX Audit & AI-Enabled Journey Mapping, Organisation Design
Models, Design System Governance, AI Opportunity Framing and AI Evaluation Playbook
AI can audit, generate, and synthesise. It can't read the room, align competing stakeholders, or build teams that stay. That's where I come in. That's where I come in. Leveraging AI. Not replacing judgment.
Over the years I’ve developed a set of practical operating frameworks that
help teams move faster and make better decisions. Some of these include:
Over the years I’ve developed a set of practical operating frameworks that help teams move faster and make better decisions. Some of these include:
• Skills Matrices • JIRA Discovery Framework • UX Audit & AI-enabled Journey Mapping • Organisation Design Models • Design System Governance • AI Evaluation Playbook • AI-Adjusted UX Estimation • AI Opportunity Framing
How I shape the industry
Being part of the design community isn't extra, it's essential 🩷
Being part of the design community isn't extra, it's essential 🩷
Being part of the design community isn't extra, it's essential 🩷
Early in my career, someone gave me advice that changed my trajectory. Someone vouched for me when I had no portfolio. Someone shared a framework I still use today. Now I do the same for Australia's product and design community.
I'm an ambassador for The Outlook, a mentor at NAWO and co-founder of Vibe Coding Club. I speak at conferences, mentor emerging leaders, participate and facilitate in leadership panels, conduct masterclasses & workshops and helping Australians prototype product ideas using AI tools, with no coding required.
Consulting
I advise organisations on product strategy, AI evaluation, and UX/UI design & research capability to improve digital experiences and reduce delivery risk. If you have an idea, I help validate it before you invest heavily in building it. Pricing is based on the scope, timeline, and complexity.
Consulting
I advise organisations on product strategy, UX evaluation, and design & research capability to improve digital experiences and reduce delivery risk. If you have an idea, I help validate it before you invest heavily in building it. Pricing is based on the scope, timeline, and complexity.
Design/Research Advisory
Best suited for: • Product or UX evaluation • Strategy discussions • Leadership or team advisory • UX or portfolio review sessions
Project Engagement
Best suited for: • AI or digital products • Product discovery and validation • Customer research project • CX and Service Design
Project Engagement
Best suited for: • AI or digital products • Product discovery • Customer research programs • CX or product strategy Pricing is based on the scope, timeline, and complexity.
Fractional Leadership
Best suited for: • Interim design leadership without adding a headcount • Channel or Product Strategy • Improving discovery & delivery
Testimonials
“
Neha brings a rare blend of strategic vision and hands-on design expertise. She doesn't just hire talent, she nurtures it, creating an environment where creativity thrives and collaboration is second nature. She has a remarkable
knack for aligning team strengths with business goals.
Vinh Le
Head of digital delivery
“
A talented artist, Neha brings art to life equally on canvas
and on screen. When combined with her leadership skills and business acumen, she ticks all the boxes of the elusive design unicorn. As a leader, Neha surrounds her team with trust, empowering them to think and act autonomously.
LUKE STROUD
PRODUCT DESIGN LEAD
“
In her role as Senior Manager for Product design, Neha over-
saw a massive remit with her team of designers. She consistently brings a thoughtful and user-centred perspective to every conversation I have had with her. Along with her amazing skills as a designer and strategic thinking, she also brings great people leadership skills to the table.
Garima Singh
Senior ENGINEERING Manager
“
Neha built and led a talented team of design researchers and product designers, bringing deep expertise and a clear vision of what excellence looks like. What set Neha apart was her ability to translate that vision into reality. She implemented a design operating model that was both sophisticated and pragmatic, tailored to Bunnings’ unique context.
Todd michael
Senior Manager Business analysis
Testimonials
“
Neha brings a rare blend of strategic vision and hands-on design expertise. She doesn't just hire talent, she nurtures it, creating an environment where creativity thrives and collaboration is second nature. She has a remarkable
knack for aligning team strengths with business goals.
Vinh Le
Head of digital delivery
“
A talented artist, Neha brings art to life equally on canvas
and on screen. When combined with her leadership skills and business acumen, she ticks all the boxes of the elusive design unicorn. As a leader, Neha surrounds her team with trust, empowering them to think and act autonomously.
LUKE STROUD
PRODUCT DESIGN LEAD
“
In her role as Senior Manager for Product design, Neha over-
saw a massive remit with her team of designers. She consistently brings a thoughtful and user-centred perspective to every conversation I have had with her. Along with her amazing skills as a designer and strategic thinking, she also brings great people leadership skills to the table.
Garima Singh
Senior ENGINEERING Manager
“
Neha built and led a talented team of design researchers and product designers, bringing deep expertise and a clear vision of what excellence looks like. What set Neha apart was her ability to translate that vision into reality. She implemented a design operating model that was both sophisticated and pragmatic, tailored to Bunnings’ unique context.
Todd michael
Senior Manager Business analysis
Testimonials
“
Neha brings a rare blend of strategic vision and hands-on design expertise. She doesn't just hire talent, she nurtures it, creating an environment where creativity thrives and collaboration is second nature. She has a remarkable
knack for aligning team strengths with business goals.
Vinh Le
Head of digital delivery
“
A talented artist, Neha brings art to life equally on canvas
and on screen. When combined with her leadership skills and business acumen, she ticks all the boxes of the elusive design unicorn. As a leader, Neha surrounds her team with trust, empowering them to think and act autonomously.
LUKE STROUD
PRODUCT DESIGN LEAD
“
In her role as Senior Manager for Product design, Neha over-
saw a massive remit with her team of designers. She consistently brings a thoughtful and user-centred perspective to every conversation I have had with her. Along with her amazing skills as a designer and strategic thinking, she also brings great people leadership skills to the table.
Garima Singh
Senior ENGINEERING Manager
“
Neha built and led a talented team of design researchers and product designers, bringing deep expertise and a clear vision of what excellence looks like. What set Neha apart was her ability to translate that vision into reality. She implemented a design operating model that was both sophisticated and pragmatic, tailored to Bunnings’ unique context.
Todd michael
Senior Manager Business analysis