Pooja Akela — UX Designer
I am a Senior User Experience Researcher with 10+ years of experience driving product and business strategy across fintech, AI/ML, and enterprise platforms. I translate complex human behaviors into actionable insights that shape digital experiences, improve adoption, and inform executive decision-making. I’ve led end-to-end research for large-scale initiatives including the Schwab Advisory Wealth Dashboard for high–net-worth clients, modernization programs across the wealth ecosystem (including Financial Planning), Google Maps usability for feature phone and smartphone users, and retail checkout optimization at Meijer (including EBT integration). At [24]7.ai, I advanced conversational AI and multi-agent systems to create scalable, human-centered AI experiences. I bring a global research perspective, having conducted studies across the United States, India, Japan, and the Philippines, designing for diverse cultural and behavioral contexts. My expertise spans qualitative and quantitative research usability testing, journey mapping, ethnography, surveys, and behavioral analytics. I thrive as a senior individual contributor, partnering with product, design, engineering, and leadership teams to influence strategy through research. I love turning messy, real-world problems into simple, meaningful experiences.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a User Experience Researcher with expertise in Fintech and AI-driven design.
Location: Hopkinton, Massachusetts, United States
Experience: 6 yrs
Career Highlights
- Over 10 years of experience in user experience research.
- Led large-scale initiatives in fintech and AI/ML.
- Expert in translating human behaviors into actionable insights.
Work Experience
Charles Schwab
Senior Manager, Ux Researcher (2 mos)
Senior User Experience Researcher (4 yrs 3 mos)
Acharya International Design Conference (AIDC)
Keynote speaker (0 mo)
Vogue Institute of Art & Design
Guest Speaker / Webinar Host (0 mo)
FM Global
Seniour User Experience Researcher (3 mos)
Meijer
User Experience Researcher (9 mos)
Wits Innovation Lab
User Experience Consultant (11 mos)
The Pregnancy Pause
Maternity Leave (5 mos)
User Experience Researcher (6 mos)
[24]7.ai
User Experience Researcher (1 yr 10 mos)
Associate User Experience Researcher (1 yr 5 mos)
UX Research Intern (8 mos)
LinkMySport, Inc.
Market Research Intern (1 mo)
Rishab Apparels Pvt Ltd
Merchandiser (2 yrs 2 mos)
Arvind Limited
Garment production planning - Intern (2 mos)
Reliance Retail
Product development for kids wear - Intern (1 mo)
Host India Events & Marketing Pvt. Ltd.
Hostesses Exhibitor Services (2 yrs 8 mos)
Education
Master's Degree at National Institute of Design
Master's Degree at RMIT University
New Technology Application and Designing Business Model at Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
Bachelor's Degree at Bangalore University
High School at Army Public School (APS)
