# Ankur Kela

> Design Researcher & Strategist | User Research Specialist in EdTech @ Wadhwani Foundation | MDes @ UC Berkeley

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/ankurkela

I'm a design researcher and strategist who recently completed a Master of Design at UC Berkeley, where I explored how cities can become more compassionate, equitable, and responsive through mindful design. My thesis investigated how public spaces can expand access to wellness by reimagining how we might design more compassionate waiting experiences during daily commutes. 

Prior to grad school, I spent 3 years at Accenture's Innovation practice, facilitating workshops and leading experience strategy projects for Fortune 500 clients across e-commerce, utilities, consumer tech, and the public sector. That experience sharpened my ability to translate complex challenges into human-centered opportunities.

I work at the intersection of design research, service design, storytelling, and systems thinking—often bridging strategy with tangible prototypes. I’m especially drawn to challenges in public health, civic tech, and urban wellbeing.

When I’m not designing, you can find me making espresso, tinkering with hardware, or floating somewhere in the Pacific.

Curious to connect? Feel free to reach out—or explore more of my work at ankurkela.com.

## Work Experience
### User Researcher @ Wadhwani Foundation
Jan 2025 – Present

### Design Researcher @ Headspace
Jan 2024 – Jan 2024 | San Francisco Bay Area
Co-op with Headspace | Designer on Social Impact team, researching and launching a public exhibit aimed at identifying strategies to bring the Headspace brand into physical spaces and local communities

### Design Strategist @ Accenture
Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | San Francisco Bay Area
Team Member of Accenture's San Francisco Innovation Hub | Collaborated with a team of 15 on designing and executing creative workshops to help C-Suite leadership at Fortune 500 companies discover new opportunities for innovation and business growth

### UX Designer @ Accenture
Jan 2020 – Jan 2022 | San Francisco Bay Area
Designer & Program Analyst on brand experience and communications team for a Large e-commerce client ($30B + market cap)

UX Designer on data management team for a Large Global Mining Client ($60B+ market cap)

### Digital Product Designer @ ReLyfe
Jan 2019 – Jan 2022 | Greater San Diego Area
Led a mental health startup with 6 part-time team members, focused on web product development, community outreach, and partnerships with local therapy clinics

### Campus Tour Guide @ University of California San Diego
Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | La Jolla, CA
Hosted campus tours for prospective students and parents, school groups (ranging from elementary school to community colleges), and special guests including alumni or new faculty


## Education
### Masters in Design (MDes) in Design
University of California, Berkeley

### Bachelor of Arts - BA in Economics
UC San Diego

### High School
San Mateo High School


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ankurkela
- Portfolio: https://www.ankurkela.com

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Source: https://flows.cv/ankurkela
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/ankurkela/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-13