Jun 2016 – Present · 9 yrs 11 mos

• LinkedIn Learning author page: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/cory-lebson
• Empathy in UX Design - Second Edition (2025)
• Using AI in Research Projects (2023, with 2024 update)
• Conducting Remote Research Sessions (2023)
• Planning a Career in User Experience - Second Edition (2023)
• Finding Meaning in Your UX Design Career (2022)
• Managing Stakeholders on Research Projects (2022)
• Conducting Research in a Post-Pandemic World (2022)
• UX Research: Being Flexible (2022)
• UX Research: International Projects (2022)
• Hiring and Managing UX Professionals (2019)
• Freelancing and Consulting in User Experience (2017)
• Strategies for Successful UX Freelancers (2017)
• Planning a Career in User Experience (2016)

Jan 2012 – Dec 2014 · 2 yrs 11 mos

• President in 2014: Responsibilities involve strategic planning, management of board, budget oversight, outreach and coordination with other organizations, conference planning, social media and marketing efforts
• Director of Strategic Partnerships in 2012 and 2013: Responsible for reaching out to other national and international organizations in order to establish connections and cross-promote activities and ideas, served on elections committee and involved with 2013 - 2014 conference planning.
• Also president of UXPA DC chapter from 2010 - 2012 (see listing below)

Jan 2010 – Dec 2013 · 3 yrs 11 mos

• UXPA DC president from 2010 - 2012 (board member from 2009 - 2013)
• As UXPA DC president, was responsible for running one of the strongest US chapter with the help of the board and volunteers, and for overseeing monthly event planning and events, web and membership management and social media pages. Also assisted with the UserFocus 2010, 2011 and 2012 conference planning.

Aug 2008 – Present · 17 yrs 9 mos

• I independently, or with additional Lebsontech team members, plan, execute, and synthesize research that help organizations quickly make better product and strategic decisions.
• I’ve supported more than 150 organizations with a broad toolkit that addresses user needs and organizational challenges across nearly every sector. From government, education and non-profit to commercial, finance and consultancies, this breadth of experience has sharpened my ability to recognize patterns, identify potential pitfalls, and direct teams to the most strategic and user-friendly next steps.
• Run usability testing in person or remotely at any stage of the design or development process
• Perform exploratory research, including ethnographic studies and contextual inquiries
• Manage requirements gathering through interviews, documentation reviews, and competitive analyses
• Conduct human factors evaluations, including medical device testing
• Facilitate market research and focus groups to evaluate perceptions, needs, and opportunities
• Integrate Agile lean research methods to support rapid, iterative delivery
• Conduct card sorts and analyze resulting dendrograms to optimize information architecture
• Design surveys, field them, and analyze results (including advanced Excel skills)
• Provide design critique workshops and expert/heuristic reviews
• Perform accessibility evaluations aligned with WCAG and Section 508 (DHS Trusted Tester Certification)
• Lead strategy sessions and informal strategic discussions to align with research-driven decision-making
• Produce clear deliverables with actionable recommendations (including reports, videos, personas, and journey maps)
• I also create and deliver classroom training and talks, mentor staff and support UX hiring.
• Learn more at https://lebsontech.com

Jan 2008 – Present · 18 yrs 4 mos

• In addition to my typical project-based UX research engagements, I also periodically take on fractional part-time leadership roles serving as an embedded research leader for a portion of my time when organizations need a more sustained effort. While my project work spans nearly every sector, fractional engagements tend to center on my expertise in government UX research.
• Current and past fractional roles include:
• CX Measurement Lead – State of Maryland (2025 - Present)
• Leading the development and implementation of a CX measurement strategy across Maryland state agencies, while also advising on qualitative research efforts.
• UX Research Lead – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) (via Collabralink, 2019)
• Conducted research with federal and state Medicare and Medicaid stakeholders to improve communication and alignment between federal and state government.
• UX Research Lead – FEMA (via BAE Systems/Eye Street Solutions, 2008 - 2014)
• Embedded research lead supporting FEMA's web and mobile platforms, research with disaster survivor, the public and emergency managers, and the creation of a national in-person training program with over 50 2-day training workshops and 700 people trained.

Jun 2007 – Nov 2007 · 5 mos

• Full-time on a 6-month contract to convert TN3270 “green screens” into a web-based enterprise application.
• Managed user experience activities for “batch processing” portion of project including regular meetings with business and architecture teams, requirements gathering, heuristic reviews, and iterative wireframe creation.

Jan 2007 – Jan 2008 · 1 yr

• Managed staff and external vendors
• Advocated for usability and user research throughout the company
• Oversaw research studies of distance learning products
• Drafted RFPs and managed vendors for satisfaction surveys that required third-party validation
• Involved with all aspects of survey design, implementation, analysis and reporting

Jan 2004 – Jun 2007 · 3 yrs 5 mos

• Managed research staff and conducted a variety of qualitative and quantitative research projects
• Member of the management team: company operations, client relations and business development
• Responsible for internal IT operations: management of IT team, usability labs and staff support
• Developed and managed 40,000-person recruitment and reminder system
• Subsequently continued to work with UserWorks through Lebsontech from 2008 - 2018

Jan 1998 – Jan 2004 · 6 yrs

• Involved with a project to integrate mobile devices into the medical school curriculum.
• Managed program to train UCHC faculty on the educational value of mobile
• Created a Windows Mobile student encounter log. Role involved the creation of wireframes and an interactive prototype.
• Managed developers to create a final product subsequently utilized by the entire medical school.
• Simultaneously worked with clinical skills division to revamp and automate their data collection process.