# Steve Hoyt > User Researcher & Strategist Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/stevehoyt I am a Principal User Researcher and Strategist who specializes in Pathfinding. I don’t just evaluate features. I help organizations define the product itself by identifying the fundamental Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) that drive adoption. Over 15 years at companies like Microsoft, Coinbase, Solana, and JPMorgan Chase, I’ve turned qualitative insight into organizational conviction. My work sits at the intersection of Human Needs and Tech, ensuring that engineering breakthroughs translate into genuine utility. How I define my research practice: Research as Strategy I move beyond the "service bureau" model. I partner with leadership to map multi-year opportunities and shape the "North Star" narrative that guides product direction. Pivoting through Insight I have a track record of identifying when a strategy isn't working and using rigorous evidence to guide teams toward high-growth pivots (e.g. shifting Coinbase’s Web3 wallet strategy from tech-led to needs-led). Conviction in Ambiguity I specialize in the deep, foundational work that allows teams to stop churning on process theater and move forward with confidence. ## Work Experience ### Co CEO - Strategic UX Research and Innovation Consultancy @ Jetpack Consulting Jan 2011 – Present | San Francisco Bay Area Founder of Jetpack, a UX research and design strategy firm in the Bay Area. Large engagements span research, strategy, and design for B2C and B2B companies. Currently focusing on emerging generative AI-powered experiences. I lead project work, as well as sales, client relationships, and general management of the business. Many projects over the year. Here are a few: Spearheading research efforts at Microsoft to understand how generative AI impacts all of the stakeholders in the Microsoft ecosystem, as well as researching the specific goals, expectations, and pain points of users of AI-powered experiences including the AI Event Assistant for Microsoft's flagship events. Defining 15-year product roadmap for an underperforming vehicle category at Fiat-Chrysler In partnership with the Advanced Product Concepts team. Invented entirely new design strategy approach combining global and domestic ethnography, scenario planning, analysis, and concept development to reimagine one of their core product lines. Resulted in redefined vehicles for 2019 and entirely new vehicle in 2020. Working with Samsung Product Innovation Team to reimagine the TV experience during COVID-19 for an emerging set of needs. Defined core reusable assets of platform, 3-year product roadmap, and business case for investment. Helping a large foreign telecom provider gain a first-hand understanding of the digital lifestyles of Americans and mapping out a strategy for entering the US market with their existing products. Partnering with AAA Club Partners to reimagine their membership model and explore alternative economies and value exchanges including crypto assets, bartering, and rewards points. ### User Research Lead - Core Product and New Ventures @ Solana Labs Jan 2023 – Jan 2024 | San Francisco, California, United States User Research Lead at Solana Labs, supporting research needs of developer-focused product teams and exploring new opportunity spaces in new verticals. Responsible for leading and establishing Mixed Methods UX Research practices for Developer and Consumer-facing products including GameShift, the dApp development environment for Solana Mobile, and foundational research for the second generation phone, the Solana Seeker. ### Staff Mixed Methods UX Researcher + Pathfinder @ Coinbase Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 ### Pathfinder + Design Strategist - Frontiers of Web3 @ Coinbase Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 | San Francisco Bay Area ### VP of Design Strategy and User Research - Digital Customer Experiences @ Chase Jan 2018 – Jan 2020 | San Francisco Used a wide range of qualitative and quantitative ux research methods to inform future future digital experiences, led agile development teams on new product explorations, helped define firm-wide product architecture, and managed the development of customer experience frameworks and guidelines used by all product teams. ### Mentor @ Matter. Jan 2016 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco, California I mentor innovative media startups going through the Matter accelerator. Design reviews and strategy coaching. ### Research and Design Strategy Consultant @ Jump Associates Jan 2007 – Jan 2011 | San Francisco Bay Area "Jump helps companies create new businesses and reinvent existing ones. By defining a clear strategy for growth, we help committed leaders unleash the talent of their organizations. And we occasionally change the world in the process." I led teams to uncover proprietary insights about the world, and transform them into disruptive products and strategies. Project Lead - Led innovation projects for clients across a range of industries Led internal training of Associates through workshops and week-long learning labs. Workshop Facilitator - Developed and delivered New Business Development workshops for clients and business school students. Projects Included: Working with the Product Innovation Team and the VP of Global Product Innovation at Samsung to create insight-based experience concepts, business models, and a technology roadmap for a connected camera. Helping the VP of Enthusiast Services at Harley-Davidson articulate the principles of strong brand communities and create a strategy for supporting and growing H-D enthusiast communities Working with the Executive Director of Business Development at AT&T to transform a newly-acquired technology company into an AT&T-scale business that met the emerging needs of local communities. ### Product Designer and Design Researcher @ Bridge Design, a Ximedica company Jan 2006 – Jan 2007 | San Francisco Bay Area Design research and mechanical design for a wide range of products, most of which happened to be medical devices, including: Alair Bronchial thermoplasty system for the treatment of Asthma. - IDSA Bronze and MDEA Bronze awards Pay By Touch point of sale payment terminal. ### Product Manager and Design Engineer - Virtual Reality Systems @ NVIS Inc. Jan 2003 – Jan 2006 | Reston, VA Product Manager for government projects to develop innovative new visualization and simulation systems. Designed head-mounted, helmet-mounted, and handheld near-to-eye displays from the ground up, translating unmet needs into products as well as VR and AR software. Also oversaw manufacturing of components and in-house assembly of products. Dabbled in sales and marketing, and led redesign of brand and website. ## Education ### B.S. in Product Design Stanford University ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/stevehoyt - Website: http://www.jetpackconsulting.com --- Source: https://flows.cv/stevehoyt JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/stevehoyt/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-08