Michael Varona
About Michael Varona
Michael Varona is a Principal Product Designer and Strategist at ThoughtWorks, where he has worked since 2019. He has extensive experience in product design and marketing, having held various roles at ThoughtWorks and other organizations over the years.
Current Role at ThoughtWorks
Michael Varona currently serves as Principal Product Designer and Strategist at ThoughtWorks, a position he has held since 2019. He operates out of New York, New York, where he focuses on product design and strategic initiatives. His role involves leading design projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance user experiences.
Previous Experience at ThoughtWorks
Prior to his current role, Michael Varona worked at ThoughtWorks in various capacities. He was a Senior Product Designer from 2014 to 2017 and later became the Lead Product Designer and Strategist from 2017 to 2019. His tenure at ThoughtWorks spanned a total of five years, during which he contributed to multiple design projects in the Greater New York City Area.
Educational Background
Michael Varona holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.Hons.) from Smith School of Business at Queen's University, which he completed from 1998 to 2002. He furthered his education with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) from Parsons School of Design, graduating in 2014. Additionally, he obtained a Business German Certificate from WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in 2001.
Teaching Experience at Parsons School of Design
During his time at Parsons School of Design, Michael Varona held several teaching positions. He served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Innovation course in 2014 and as an Adjunct Professor for the IDP Service City Studio in 2015. He also worked as a Graduate Research Assistant in Enterprising Design Knowledge in 2013, contributing to academic projects and supporting faculty.
Early Career and Marketing Roles
Michael Varona began his career in marketing, holding positions such as Marketing Coordinator at 12snap in 2001 and Marketing Manager at Millennium Research Group from 2002 to 2006. He also worked as Manager of Business Development and Marketing at Brookfield Asset Management from 2008 to 2010. These roles provided him with foundational skills in marketing and business development.