John Whalen, PhD

CEO

Reston, Virginia, United States28 yrs 5 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchAI Enabled

Key Highlights

Expert in AI-driven customer research methodologies.
Author of a leading book on human-centered design.
Proven track record in strategic product innovation.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a SaaS and Education expert specializing in user experience and customer insights.

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Skills

Core Skills

Artificial Intelligence (ai)Ux ResearchCustomer InsightsProduct InnovationTeachingProduct ResearchCustomer Insight

Other Skills

Data AnalysisDesign ThinkingProduct DiscoveryStrategic ConsultingInnovation ManagementGlobal Market ResearchUser ExperienceApplied ResearchConcept GenerationUser-centered DesignUser ResearchUser Experience DesignInformation ArchitectureUsability TestingUsability

About

• Educational Leadership: I lead the AI for Customer Research course, guiding UX researchers to overcome imposter syndrome and tool fatigue by demystifying advanced AI tools. This hands-on training empowers you to extract actionable insights quickly and effectively. • Strategic Customer Research: With the Accelerated Insights service, my team at Brilliant Experience delivers comprehensive customer research that guides product discovery and product innovation. We handle every step—from data collection and analysis to strategic recommendations—so you can focus on making informed decisions. • Thought Leadership: As the author of Design for How People Think (Amazon), I explore how thoughtful design and human-centered strategies can harmonize with technology, ensuring that innovation always serves real human needs. My mission is to transform business uncertainty into opportunity, empowering organizations and professionals to thrive in an era where AI and human insight work hand in hand. Let’s connect and build a future where technology amplifies our natural ingenuity.

Experience

10pearls

Chief Experience Officer (CXO)

Jan 2017 – Oct 2017 · 9 mos · Washington D.C. Metro Area

Leading the Experience and Innovation Centers for 10Pearls
Directing user research to identify new product/service opportunities
Moderating innovation sprints with client partners
Delivering user-validated experience designs to development teams

Applied ResearchUX ResearchProduct ResearchConcept Generation

User experience professionals association (uxpa) dc metro chapter

President

Jan 2015 – Jan 2016 · 1 yr · Washington D.C. Metro Area

Customer Insight

Brilliantexperience

Lead, Psychological Insights & Innovation

Oct 2011 – Present · 14 yrs 5 mos · Washington D.C. Metro Area

At Brilliant Experience, I lead a dual-pronged approach that merges cutting-edge customer research with practical, hands-on training—empowering organizations and UX professionals to excel in an AI-driven world.
Key Responsibilities & Achievements:
1. Strategic Customer Research:
Spearhead Accelerated Insights, our done-for-you customer research service that delivers rapid, high-value insights to guide product discovery and product innovation.
Provide rapid, global, and multilingual research that empowers clients to make critical, data-driven product decisions.
2. Educational Leadership:
Develop and deliver the AI for Customer Research course, which equips UX researchers with the skills to overcome imposter syndrome and tool fatigue while mastering advanced AI tools.
Create engaging, practical learning experiences that translate into immediate, real-world impact.
3. Thought Leadership & Innovation:
Authored Design for How People Think, establishing a deep connection between human-centered design, research, and technology.
Continuously innovate and integrate emerging AI solutions to stay ahead of industry trends and drive customer value.
My Mission:
I am dedicated to transforming uncertainty into opportunity by combining human insight with AI’s potential—ensuring that every research insight not only informs but inspires product innovation. Let's build the future of customer research together.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)UX ResearchCustomer InsightsData AnalysisDesign ThinkingProduct Innovation+6

Bridgeline digital

VP User Experience

Jul 2010 – Sep 2011 · 1 yr 2 mos

Applied ResearchUX ResearchProduct ResearchConcept GenerationCustomer Insight

E.magination network, llc.

Director, User Experience and Design

May 2008 – Jul 2010 · 2 yrs 2 mos

Applied ResearchUX ResearchProduct ResearchConcept GenerationCustomer Insight

Siteworx

Senior Consultant, User Experience

Jan 2008 – May 2008 · 4 mos

Responsible for a wide range of strategic consulting services, including:
Developing enterprise-wide user experience measurements
Integrating user-centered design into development lifecycles
Briefing executive teams on the ROI of experience design
Whalen's project-based consulting services will include user research, eye-tracking research, rapid prototyping, information architecture, usability testing and experimental design.

Applied ResearchUX ResearchProduct ResearchConcept GenerationCustomer Insight