# Takao Umehara > AI Ops Lead - Scaling AI Adoption at Verizon | Strategic Product Design & AI Enablement | Enterprise Workflow Transformation | Innovation Strategy | Brand Design Location: New York City Metropolitan Area, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/takao Strategic Design and Product Leader focused on AI-native product development and enterprise workflow transformation.I work at the intersection of product strategy, design leadership, and AI implementation—embedding AI directly into how product teams think, validate, and build.Rather than focusing on tool adoption or experimentation, my work centers on:– Structuring decision context across complex organizations– Reducing late-stage rework through early edge-case detection– Introducing AI-assisted UX validation and heuristic evaluation– Designing strategic reasoning workflows for product and design teamsMost recently at Verizon, I led AI-augmented workflow innovation within enterprise constraints—building centralized project “master brains,” enabling structured scenario exploration, and integrating AI into real delivery processes.I am interested in Director / Head-level roles in AI-driven product or digital transformation, and I also advise organizations through short-term implementation sprints focused on operationalizing AI within product teams. ## Work Experience ### AI Enablement & Product Operations Lead (AI Ops Lead) @ Verizon Wireless World Jan 2025 – Jan 2026 | New York, NY • Leading the phased rollout of an AI-enabled decision infrastructure across Verizon’s prepaid product organization, embedding AI-supported validation and reasoning into core product delivery workflows. • Currently adopted by ~40 designers and expanding to 50–80 cross-functional stakeholders (Product/XM, Research, Content, Insights). • Established a triple-layer knowledge architecture (“Brand Master Brain,” “Research Master Brain,” and “Project Master Brain”) using NotebookLM to centralize fragmented research, decision rationale, and delivery context — shifting validation and strategic reasoning upstream within active programs. • Enabled self-serve scenario exploration, strategic reasoning, persona generation, and AI-assisted UX validation—reducing stakeholder dependency and accelerating independent validation and strategic reasoning across active programs. • Supporting content and consumer insights teams in designing AI agents (e.g., persona-generation Gems, content writing agents) to extend AI reasoning beyond design workflows. ### Product Designer / Creative Director @ creativity is everywhere Jan 2023 – Jan 2025 • Redesigned the CLI Studios app, leading the entire process from research to design, resulting in a user-friendly interface and increased user engagement. • Facilitated Product Innovation Workshops, driving creativity and collaboration among team members to develop cutting-edge AI productivity tools. • Managed creative direction for event experience design, ensuring seamless execution and a memorable experience for attendees. ### Innovation Workshop Trainer/Facilitator @ breakbias.co Jan 2015 – Jan 2024 | NYC / Tokyo • Facilitated Product Innovation Workshops for 500+ business people, designers, and strategists, utilizing BreakBias ideation methods for service/product/business innovation. • Adapted and curated creative thinking frameworks to foster innovation and break preconceptions in product leaders and business leaders. • Trained professionals in NYC and Tokyo on 'BreakBias' tools for enhanced ideation and innovation. ### Adjunct Professor @ School of Visual Arts Jan 2024 – Jan 2024 | New York, New York, United States • Developed and taught an intensive 5-week course on Advanced Typography for the Graphic Design Department, incorporating contemporary design and dynamic typography. ### Product Design Lead, Design Manager @ Concentrix Catalyst Jan 2021 – Jan 2023 | New York, New York, United States • Led design of Concentrix Web3 Wallet, winning 2023 Merit Awards for Technology in the Metaverse and AI. • Developed CX solutions with AI/AR/VR technologies, enhancing customer interactions. • Co-founded Omni Channel Group, mentoring and training designers/strategists for career growth. ### Design + Innovation Consultant @ creativity is everywhere Jan 2018 – Jan 2021 | New York / Tokyo • Redesigned the sign-up process for an online dance education service, enhancing user experience and driving membership growth. • Spearheaded design processes for the Odell Education High School Literacy Program Platform, from research to successful implementation. • Reimagined Service Design and Branding for a Hair Salon chain, resulting in a 400% increase in female customers. ### Startup Coach on Product Design & Branding @ SOSV Jan 2019 – Jan 2020 | New York • Mentored and coached 20 founders of Food and Blockchain startups on UX and branding strategies. • Provided personalized weekly coaching sessions to impart valuable insights and guidance. ### Product Design Lead @ ProjectEd. Jan 2015 – Jan 2018 | Brooklyn, NY • Led UX/UI Audit and Redesigned the entire Networked Improvement Learning and Support (NILS™) platform, enhancing user experience and engagement. • Developed strategic tool XQ Canvas for XQ Institute, streamlining school design processes and improving educational outcomes. • Facilitated workshops, conducted design research, and implemented design systems for digital product projects, ensuring seamless user interactions. ProjectEd, a spin-off company of Amplify Education is a mission-driven design & tech consulting company for educational and philanthropic organizations. ### Product Design Lead @ Amplify Jan 2009 – Jan 2015 | brooklyn, new york Amplify Education is a curriculum and assessment company. • Led end to end product design process , including product ideation, learning experience design, UX/UI, and creative direction. - Tom Sawyer Quest - Edgar Allan Poe Quest - Declare Yourself Quest (History of American Independence) - Perception Academy Quest (Brain Science) - Viking Quest (History of Viking) - Myth World Quest (Greek Mythology) - The Contraption Quest • Implemented company-wide design thinking practices via workshops and authoring a guidebook • Drove innovation efforts by leading idea-generation workshops and developing proof-of-concept prototypes ### Lead Product Designer, Design Thinking Coach @ Amplify Jan 2009 – Jan 2012 • Introduced Design Thinking approach company-wide, leading to enhanced innovation and user-centered design solutions. • Led UX/UI design for key education apps like Reading 3D and TPRI, optimizing user experience and engagement. • Designed Learning Map UI, improving user navigation and interaction with educational content. ### Design Director @ creativity is everywhere Jan 2006 – Jan 2009 | New York City Metropolitan Area • Led all design efforts from research to strategy and design. Projects: Johnson & Johnson, Interbrand, Stag&Hare, Collegeboard / SAT, Xact Technology, Cocoon Innovations. Shoreline, Kitadoko Hair Salon, UnboundED, Keio University, NorthEast Innovation, NYC Public, Collage Dance Collective. ### Senior Product/Brand Designer @ Anomaly NYC Jan 2006 – Jan 2006 | NYC Anomaly is a marketing and advertising agency. • Led design for new beverage packaging concepts, Virgin America's first digital airline entertainment system UI design, NY Times Bryant Park Campaign, and branding for startup companies. ### Senior Experience Designer at Studio Red @ Rockwell Group Jan 2005 – Jan 2006 | NYC • Led product design for Coca-Cola kiosk, Interactive vending machine, new service design, and Home Depot in-store interactive experience. • Collaborated with UX strategists, architects, and industrial designers to create innovative designs. • Achieved successful implementation of designs for major clients like Coca-Cola and Home Depot. Studio Red is multi-disciplinary retail and experiential marketing studio by the Rockwell Group, commissioned by Coca-Cola. It's a predecessor of Rockwell LAB. ### Senior Designer at Brand Integration Group @ Ogilvy Jan 2002 – Jan 2005 | LA & NYC • Developed visual languages for brands: DuPont, Progressive, Coca-Cola, and Motorola. • Led key visuals for three major exhibitions, including CeBit, resulting in a One Show Merit Award in 2004. ## Education ### BFA in Human Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, Branding/Graphic Design, Motion Design ArtCenter College of Design ### Master’s Degree (completed the first year) in Innovation Strategy Parsons School of Design - The New School ### Bachelor’s Degree in Human Computer Interaction Keio University ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/takaoumehara - Website: http://takaoumehara.com/ - Website: https://breakbias.medium.com/ --- Source: https://flows.cv/takao JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/takao/resume.json Last updated: 2026-02-23