Katie Valentine
About Katie Valentine
Katie Valentine is a Lead UX Researcher at Marshmallow, where she has worked since 2021. With a background in account management and user research across both private and public sectors, she has developed user-centered services and products.
Current Role at Marshmallow
Katie Valentine serves as the Lead UX Researcher at Marshmallow, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she focuses on understanding user needs and behaviors to enhance the user experience of Marshmallow's products and services. Her background in both account management and user research allows her to approach projects with a comprehensive perspective, ensuring that user-centered design principles are effectively integrated.
Previous Experience in User Research
Katie has extensive experience in user research, having worked in various roles across both the public and private sectors. She was a Senior User Researcher at Government Digital Service from 2016 to 2019, where she contributed to projects like GOV.UK Notify and Cyber Security. Additionally, she worked as a User Researcher at NHS Digital and Social Finance, further solidifying her expertise in developing user-centered services.
Career Transition from Account Management
Katie transitioned from a career in account management to user research, a shift that reflects her desire to focus on user experience. She worked as an Account Director and Management Supervisor at MRY and as a Senior Account Manager at Digitas UK. This diverse background in account management provided her with valuable insights into client needs and project management, which she now applies in her user research roles.
Educational Background
Katie studied at the University of Kent, where she earned a 2.1 degree in History. She furthered her education at General Assembly, completing a User Experience Design Immersive program in 2015. This combination of historical knowledge and user experience training equips her with a unique perspective in her current role as a UX researcher.
International Experience in Digital Agencies
Katie has worked in digital agencies in both London and New York, gaining international commercial experience. This exposure to different markets and cultures has enriched her understanding of user needs and behaviors, which is crucial for her work in user research. Her ability to collaborate with diverse teams enhances the quality of her research and design processes.