# Sunny Liu > Product Management & User Research @ California Mental Health | ex-Meta, IDEO, IBM Location: San Francisco, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/sunnyliu I'm an associate product manager at California Mental Health Services Authority, with a background in user research, business development, and consulting. Previously, I led user research at Meta and IDEO. With a focus on inclusive design, I'm experienced in utilizing qualitative research methods and translating insights into tangible innovations, bringing a unique blend of research expertise and creative vision to every project. Outside of work, I freelance as a UX designer on various projects ranging from a cat food brand to wedding website designs. I also run The Katsu Shop, where I design stationery that celebrates my Asian heritage and my cat, Katsu. ## Work Experience ### Product Manager (Technical Business Analyst - AI) @ California Mental Health Services Authority Jan 2025 – Present ### UX Researcher (via Magnit) @ Meta Jan 2024 – Jan 2025 | San Francisco Bay Area ### Product Designer / User Researcher @ By Sunny Liu Jan 2021 – Jan 2024 • Lead design projects, including web, logo, and packaging label design, showcasing versatility in digital design. Notable clients include Nala Cat (Guinness World Record holder). • Directed UX/UI Design for a digital tarot-inspired card collection about the Asian-American experience. Founder of The Katsu Shop: • Launched a small business on Etsy selling original artwork and stationery designs inspired by personal interests and cultural cuisine. • Achieved 19k+ unique visits and 450+ sales within the first 6 months. • Grew Instagram handle to 15k+ followers through strategic content development and audience engagement. ### Design Researcher @ IDEO Jan 2022 – Jan 2023 | San Francisco Bay Area • Spearheaded qualitative user research studies to influence product development and strategy across various industries.  • Orchestrated end-to-end generative and iterative research to understand user needs and market dynamics, synthesizing findings into actionable insights. • Led cross-functional teams through synthesis and insight generation to inspire and inform design opportunities for user-centered products and services. • Built storytelling frameworks to communicate data-driven narratives to various audiences in comprehensive decks. Notable Projects: - Tech Client (2023): Led research for a project focused on empowering everyday social media users with generative AI art tools. Conducted extensive research including in-depth interviews, focus groups, and surveys. - Health Client (2023): Executed a research initiative exploring user needs in stress echocardiography for a new IC delivery device. Included field research, expert interviews, and journey mapping. - Tech Client (2023): Co-led research for a sprint to understand strength trainers' goals and unmet needs when using fitness trackers. Employed methods like diary studies, in-depth interviews, and field research. - Health Client (2022): Steered research on a global remote sprint to explore opportunity areas for fecal sample collection kits. Research methods included patient and clinician interviews, focus groups, and diary studies. - Tech Client (2022): Completed a project to create a fitness experience tailored for Gen Z. Techniques included in-depth interviews, focus groups, and diary studies. - Stripes (2022): Completed a project focusing on branding for a celebrity-founded beauty brand for menopause management. ### Color By Design: Design Research Fellowship (RepresentEd & IDEO) @ RepresentEd Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 Prestigious design research fellowship program (3-month training program followed by a 6-month fellowship) by RepresentEd and IDEO for BIPOC designers to leverage human-centered design to build for diverse communities. The interdisciplinary training program covers the foundations of design thinking (qualitative research, data synthesis, insight generation, and prototyping) in preparation for the following design research fellowship at IDEO. 3-month training program: qualitative research, human-centered design interview methods, and visual material and pitch deck in a virtual design challenge that explores how technology might foster intergenerational connection through physical and digital spaces ### Software Subscription Annuity Specialist, US Financial Market @ IBM Jan 2020 – Jan 2021 | Orange County, California, United States • Exceeded revenue goals by 102% and optimized renewal processes by understanding stakeholder needs and fostering alignment among customers, business partners, and the internal sales team.  • Authored and designed monthly editions of an internal newsletter, enhancing community engagement within the Pan Asian business group. • Completed immersive learning missions as a part of IBM's renowned Global Sales School by studying real-world business challenges and executing potential solutions alongside retired IBM leaders and executives. • Expanded upon skills in consultative selling, enterprise design thinking, client demos, financial selling, prospecting, and the IBM portfolio. ### Digital Sales Specialist - Summit Program @ IBM Jan 2020 – Jan 2020 | Dallas, Texas, United States • Completed immersive learning missions as a part of IBM's renowned Global Sales School by studying real-world business challenges and executing potential solutions alongside retired IBM leaders and executives • Expanded upon skills in consultative selling, enterprise design thinking, client demos, financial selling, prospecting, and the IBM portfolio • Designed cohort logo, awarded first place in Financial Selling Workshop, awarded Best Written Proposal in Creating a Distinctive Experience mission ### Staff Writer, Arts & Entertainment @ The Rice Thresher Jan 2018 – Jan 2019 | Houston, Texas Area • Wrote articles ranging from art features to opinion pieces (market: 10,800+ students and faculty & 70,000+ alumni; circulation: 2,000 physical copies distributed in 50 campus locations) ### Administrative Assistant @ Rice Business - Jones Graduate School of Business Jan 2018 – Jan 2019 ### Duncan College Spirit Committee Head @ Rice University Jan 2016 – Jan 2019 | Houston, Texas Area ### Undergraduate Researcher at Gustin Lab @ Rice University Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 ## Education ### Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Rice University ### Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies UCL ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/bysunnyliu - Portfolio: https://www.bysunnyliu.com/ --- Source: https://flows.cv/sunnyliu JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/sunnyliu/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13