# Khadijah White > Creative Lady | Design Ops Director | Building AI-Driven Systems, Platforms & Stories at Scale Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/khadijah Design operations leader operating at Director and Senior Director level, with over a decade of experience scaling global design organizations, platforms, and enterprise programs across fintech, SaaS, and consumer technology. I specialize in bringing structure to complexity while leading large-scale portfolios (200+ programs across 10+ product domains), aligning design, product, and engineering, and building operating models that enable organizations to deliver at scale. My work sits at the intersection of systems thinking, execution, and leadership, where strategy translates into measurable outcomes across global teams. I operate across all levels of the organization—from executive leadership to individual contributors—driving alignment, clarity, and execution in highly matrixed environments. At PayPal, I lead Design Operations across Platforms & Tools, spanning Design Systems, AI/agentic personalization, Risk, Identity, KYC, Support, and Ads across the PayPal and Venmo ecosystem. I partner with VP, SVP, and EVP leadership to drive delivery across a multi-million-dollar portfolio supporting 200+ designers, while managing and scaling high-performing program teams. I’ve operated in Director-level capacity for the past two years, operating in ambiguous and high-growth environments, often expanding scope to lead strategy, stabilize execution, and drive continuity across complex portfolios. My experience includes leading operational strategy for PayPal’s Design System 5.0 global rebrand, driving AI-powered servicing experiences across checkout, post-purchase, and support ecosystems, and architecting governance systems that align teams around predictable delivery and experience quality. I’ve also led workforce planning to secure 32+ roles, implemented enterprise-wide operating rhythms, and scaled tools and governance across platforms including Asana, Jira, and Figma. Prior to PayPal, I helped scale design operations at Zendesk and was a founding contributor to Today at Apple—an initiative that continues to operate globally today. Across these experiences, I’ve built systems, programs, and teams designed to endure beyond individual organizations. I’m particularly drawn to roles where I can operate at the platform level—bringing together fragmented systems, aligning leadership, and driving transformation across organizations navigating growth, complexity, and emerging technologies such as AI. ## Work Experience ### Sr. Manager, Design Operations @ PayPal Jan 2025 – Present | San Francisco Bay Area Leading Design Operations across a large-scale platforms and tools portfolio, supporting global teams and partnering closely with executive leadership to drive alignment across design, product, and engineering. Operating at Director-level scope, I focus on scaling systems, improving delivery, and enabling teams to execute across complex, multi-domain environments. Currently leading AI-powered customer experience initiatives, shaping platform-level AI capabilities across checkout, post-purchase, disputes, and support ecosystems, enabling scalable, AI-driven self-service experiences ### Senior Design Program Manager @ PayPal Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 Led foundational programs across design systems, AI personalization, and platform initiatives, partnering with leadership to deliver large-scale experiences across financial and commerce products. Played a key role in operationalizing strategy and enabling cross-team execution at scale. Built strong foundations in accessibility, governance, and program structure that supported broader organizational growth. ### Owner & Creative @ Sukari Studios Jan 2014 – Present | San Francisco Bay Area Founded a design studio focused on storytelling and illustration, with a mission to center the Black experience through creativity and narrative. Work spans children’s books, collaborations, and creative partnerships. Balances creative leadership with business ownership, production, and long-term brand development. www.sukaristudios.com ### Design Program Manager @ Zendesk Jan 2021 – Jan 2023 Supported a global design organization across product, creative, and research, focusing on learning, development, onboarding, and operational excellence. Helped scale the organization during a period of transformation, including a major company rebrand. Developed systems that improved engagement, onboarding effectiveness, and cross-functional collaboration. ### Design Curriculum Lead @ Stanford University Jan 2020 – Jan 2021 | Palo Alto, California, United States Designed and delivered a large-scale design curriculum for faculty during a critical shift to remote learning, enabling non-design professionals to adopt creative tools and approaches. Created engaging, hands-on experiences that blended technical skill-building with creative exploration. Recognized for high-impact teaching and consistent top-tier participant feedback. ### Founding Creative Program Manager (Today at Apple) @ Apple Jan 2015 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco, California Part of the founding team behind Today at Apple, helping design and scale a global creative education platform that continues to operate worldwide. Led and designed program development, training, and cross-functional collaboration across retail, education, and business teams. Focused on creating meaningful customer experiences that blended creativity, technology, and learning at scale. ### Elementary School Teacher @ Denver Public Schools Jan 2010 – Jan 2011 | Denver, CO In my role at Denver Public Schools, I created a dynamic learning environment for kindergarten students by designing age-appropriate lesson plans and utilizing hands-on teaching methods. I effectively managed classroom behavior and communicated regularly with parents, ensuring a supportive community for each child's development. My commitment to professional growth allowed me to stay updated on educational trends, enhancing my teaching strategies. ## Education ### Master of Fine Arts in Animation and Visual Effects Academy of Art University ### Bachelor of Arts - BA in Computer Graphics University of Northern Colorado ### Traditional Animation Don Bluth University ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/khadijah-white - Portfolio: https://www.khadijah-white.com/ --- Source: https://flows.cv/khadijah JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/khadijah/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13