About Me
I'm a UX designer who loves solving messy problems.
My work sits at the intersection of user needs, business goals, and technical realities. I enjoy figuring out what the real problem is, making complex systems easier to understand, and bringing cross-functional teams together to make thoughtful decisions.
My background in anthropology, leadership, and design shapes how I approach problems. I'm naturally curious about people and systems, and I tend to ask a lot of questions before jumping to a solution.
I particularly enjoy working on:
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Complex product problems
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Interaction design
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Collaborative discovery and design
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Facilitation and consensus-building
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Accessibility and inclusive design
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Working closely with product and engineering
Outside of work:
I'm usually somewhere outside: riding horses, paddleboarding, backpacking, or taking photographs.
Recommendations
Kevin
UX accessibility standards lead
Nationwide
He has been my accessibility mentor and collaborator
I’ve had the opportunity to work with Shannon on a project, where she has consistently led with an accessibility-first mindset. As the Design Lead of the project, she ensured accessibility was prioritized from the earliest design sprints phase.
She played a critical role in identifying potential accessibility barriers and embedding inclusive design practices into every part of the user experience. Her works reflected not just WCAG compliance, but an empathy for users with diverse needs—visible clear focus indicators, proper focus/reading order, and meaningful screen reader support were thoughtfully integrated.
On top of that, she also served as a strong connector between design and development, making accessibility actionable and achievable for the team. Her responsibilities has directly elevated the accessibility maturity of the product and set a strong example for others.
Her impact goes beyond design execution—she’s driving a culture of accessibility. I'm looking forward to collaborating with her on future projects that continue raising the bar for inclusive design.
John
Product design lead
Nationwide
He has been my lead, mentor, and overall UX guru
I have had the pleasure of working with Shannon Cleary for several years on several key projects in the insurance space. She has excelled as an UX Interaction Designer and in the role as a Design Lead. Shannon's contributions have been invaluable, significantly impacting the project's success through her ability to think outside the box, create rapid prototypes, and adjust to a changing requirements landscape.
Shannon is a skilled interaction designer who has grown remarkably. She always has the end customer in mind, is passionate about accessibility, and works very effectively in creating early prototype designs for review by both UX partners and business. Her passion for user experience and commitment to accessibility made her an accessibility champion on her projects.
As the design lead, Shannon consistently delivered high-quality UX designs, building strong relationships with business and IT partners. Her organizational skills ensured our designs met both immediate and future needs. During a recent 2-day workshop, Shannon's fresh perspectives and detailed preparations enhanced team efficiency and participant engagement. She expertly facilitated several sessions with an audience consisting of business partners, IT developers, and representatives from other companies.
Shannon has shown significant growth in the last year with the soft skills critical for the role of design lead, such as incorporating feedback constructively and enhancing her communication skills. She has also made several well received presentations to business and UX leadership regarding her project.
Overall, Shannon's role has been crucial to the usability of the projects she has been involved with, and her dedication fostered productive discussions that improved the user experience.
Jessica
Commercial and Specialty Claims Delivery Consultant
Nationwide
Collaborated when she was the acting product manager of 1.5y long transformation project
I am pleased to have the opportunity to recommend Shannon Cleary, with whom I had the distinct pleasure of collaborating on a project.
Shannon has been instrumental in developing UX designs for the new application. Her deep knowledge of the Nationwide design system, coupled with her strong customer focus, has resulted in an application that is both efficient for the user and visually appealing.
Shannon’s ability to collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders further underscores her suitability for a higher role. She excels in incorporating feedback during our sessions, demonstrating her confidence and adaptability in swiftly adjusting designs.
I am confident that Shannon will continue to excel and bring even greater value in a more advanced position. I wholeheartedly recommend her for any position she seeks.