Hello, I'm Monica

I care about designing products that make complex technology feel simple and useful. As a Lead Product Designer, I love helping teams build with confidence and clarity.

Work

Okra: Open finance ecosystem

I joined Okra to advance the design function, focusing on strengthening foundational design elements across the company. I led the redesign of all core products and the brand, overseeing the process to ensure consistency and alignment with business goals.

Role

0>1 Design Strategy
Product strategy
End to end Design Process
Design management
Brand + Marketing Partner

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Nebula: Cloud platform

I led the design team in taking the product from concept to launch, driving the entire 0 to 1 journey. I managed the full end-to-end design process, defining the product vision and ensuring successful execution.

Role

0>1 Product Strategy
End to end Design Process

Design management
Brand + Marketing Partner

0>1 Product Strategy
End to end Design Process

Design management
Brand + Marketing Partner

View case study

View case study

Nedbank: Personal banking

I joined the Nedbank.co.za team as a consultant to establish the project and drive the new design system. I collaborated with the internal design system team, played a key role in the launch of their lending category, and led core functionality such as credit card wizards and loan calculators, overseeing the full UX process from research to testing.

Role

Product Design Lead
Design systems
Re-brand implementation

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JUMO: Banking as a service platform

At JUMO, I was brought in to establish the product design vertical as the company transitioned from a USSD-based product to interface-driven solutions. My role involved building the design team and setting up the foundational processes to support this shift, ensuring the design function was well-positioned for future growth.

Role

0>1 Product Design Strategy
End-to-end design process
Design Management
Brand

View case study

Fraction: Workforce planning

Founding designer, working closely with the engineering team and the founders. I was responsible for leading the full design execution, shaping the product from the ground up.

Role

0>1 Product Strategy
End to end Design Process
Brand

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How I work

I engage deeply with engineering, stay in tune with customer needs, and take proactive steps to align design decisions with business goals.

Beyond the handoff

I believe that delivering great products is a shared responsibility. I work closely with engineers, product teams, and stakeholders beyond the typical “handoff” - ensuring that everyone goes the extra mile to refine and ship the best possible solution. Design specs are just the foundation; real success comes from a collective push toward delivery.

Gut meets guidance

Designing for impact means trusting the pulse of your customers. While data is valuable, I lean on deep customer understanding and intuition to make informed design decisions.

Driving with curiosity

I immerse myself in all facets of the business because understanding the full context sharpens my decision-making. I don’t wait for direction, I actively seek opportunities, align efforts across teams, and contribute to the bigger picture.

Say hi

Please reach out to me via email, Calendly or LinkedIn, I'de love to chat.

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