# Ini Uto-Uko > Executive UX & Product Leader | Pioneering AI-Driven Procurement & Supplier Innovation at Coupa | Thought Leader in Autonomous Spend Management Location: San Mateo, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/ini As an executive UX and product leader at Coupa, I drive the intersection of design innovation and AI to revolutionize enterprise procurement and supplier experiences. Specializing in unifying complex workflows—such as supplier onboarding, discovery, and risk management—I transform business objectives into scalable, user-centric solutions that foster efficiency, adoption, and strategic growth. My work lays the groundwork for autonomous spend management through AI agents, ensuring seamless buyer-supplier interactions in dynamic global markets. Leading high-performing teams of designers and researchers, I've spearheaded initiatives that simplify sourcing unification, redefine bill of materials models, and integrate AI-native engagement layers. These efforts have streamlined operations, mitigated risks, and accelerated time-to-value, enabling organizations to pursue expansive market opportunities while maintaining compliance and trust. ## Work Experience ### Director Of Product Design @ Coupa Software Jan 2022 – Present | California, United States Led a full-stack design team of 15+ members in driving global initiatives for supplier experiences, contracts, fraud/risk, data services, category management, community/AI, and customer supplier portals, promoting growth and high user adoption. Strategized UX transformations for supplier onboarding and discovery, integrating AI/Navi Agents to pioneer autonomous spend management, exceeding core business metrics and building foundations for future Direct Spend capabilities. Directed four high-impact research initiatives (Supplier Onboarding, Discovery, CSO, Reqs), informing user satisfaction for high-volume buyer-supplier activities. Championed cross-functional workshops and alignments with Product, Engineering, and Support teams, resolving conflicts and creating unified frameworks to accelerate sourcing cycles and enhance operational efficiency. ### Principal Manager @ Coupa Software Jan 2018 – Jan 2021 | London, United Kingdom • Working with product teams to decrease operational costs and increase revenue from new business • Simplify complex systems • Develop user research strategies • Manage and mentor group of designers • Champion a user-centered design process throughout the organization • Provide thought leadership and a unifying vision for the user experience across the platform ### Principal UX Designer @ Coupa Software Jan 2017 – Jan 2021 * Making it simple, through strategy, research, design and development * Built and lead team of UI engineers * Created strategy for new visual language system * Facilitate and lead brainstorming sessions * Gather requirements * Prioritize requirements ### Senior UX Designer @ Coupa Software Jan 2014 – Jan 2017 | San Mateo * Making it simple * Developed high and low level storyboards, workflows, wireframes, mockups and prototypes * Developed UX strategy for Coupa Supplier Network * Developed visual language system and strategy for all applications * Developed personas * Performed various design research methods to gain insight into user behavior * Influenced and educated product teams in user-centered design principles and processes * Developed applications utilizing HTML, CSS, and jQuery * Collaborated with geo-dispersed, multidisciplinary teams, and stakeholders ### Senior UX Designer @ Dell Technologies Jan 2011 – Jan 2014 * My main focus is changing Dell's suite of systems management products from system-centric to user-centric. • Developed high and low level storyboards, mockups and prototypes to effectively communicate interaction and design ideas. Produced pixel perfect UI elements for deployment teams • Created concepts and strategies that I saw throughout development process • Assigned to lead Dell Kace BYOD visual design strategy for their BYOD products • Unified the user experience across multiple Dell Kace products • Assigned to contribute to Dell’s UX guidelines and visual language system for the software group • Involved in multiple touch points of product development life cycle, from development to conceptualizing marketing campaigns • Developed and managed print initiatives; including ad design and collateral production • Maintained and expanded the corporate brand strategy through all media including print and electronic • Analyzed and implemented user research into an optimal user experience • Influenced and educated product teams in user-centered design principles and processes ### Founder @ Uto Investments LLC Jan 2010 – Jan 2014 Real Estate Investments ### Founder @ Uto Inc. Jan 2001 – Jan 2014 * Created product strategies for established companies and startups * Decrease operational costs * Increase revenue from new business * Conceptualizing and developing design systems ### Lead UI/UX Designer @ Apple Inc. Jan 2010 – Jan 2010 As part of the Point of Sale Team, I was the Lead Designer for several online resources for the Apple Retail Store. Using qualitative and quantitative analysis, I proposed and designed solutions as part of the initiative to improve the look & feel and interactivity of internal applications. I collaborated with the business team, technical leads, and project managers to design this employee application. Ultimately this solution improved employee productivity and communications within the retail stores. In addition, my responsibilities included designing consumer facing surveys for retail stores throughout Asia Pacific. I also designed the user interaction and user flows for mobile applications. ### UI Designer/Web Producer @ Vendio Jan 2008 – Jan 2009 Developed wireframes and mock-ups for a number of websites and interfaced with marketing team to develop blog campaigns for seasonal promotions. Partnered with international team on website development. Integrated social media strategies for the company. ### Marketing Manager @ CityTeam Jan 2005 – Jan 2008 My responsibilities include securing new sources of revenue for the company. Manage a department of 3 people. Manage all web and print promotional material. Conceptualize and develop online and offline campaigns for website, blogs, podcasts, movies, and Google Ads. Increased companies donor base while increasing revenue. Department supports CityTeam’s many locations in the US and around the world. Have traveled to all U.S. locations and also traveled to Africa locations. Handle office operations with an emphasis on locating cost cutting measures. ### Graphic Designer, Web Developer @ Metro Publishing Inc. Jan 2002 – Jan 2005 Conceptualized online and offline advertisements for advertisers. Utilized strong graphic design background assisting large client base, which involved development of advertising from initial stage to final output, as well as updated existing designs. Additional responsibilities involved maintaining in-house schedules of incoming and out going jobs. Ensured creativity in design as well as met deadlines. Provided strong focus on excellent customer relations. Also hand-coded websites for it sister company, Boulevards New Media. ### Graphic Designer @ Coakley Heagerty Jan 2001 – Jan 2003 Graphic Designer/Production Artist Designed for various life-style industries – Seniors, Real Estate and Health ## Education ### BFA in Graphic & Interface Design University of Idaho ### Del Mar ### Del Mar ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/utouko --- Source: https://flows.cv/ini JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/ini/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13