Kyle Peppers

Context Is Everything

Design Ops
Strategist
Service Design

This site is about mutual connection. You're likely here because you have a strategic need. I'm here because I'm looking for the right, dare I say “dream,” next step. Hopefully, your needs and my skills match. To help the process along, I've included a few notes on the type of context I'm looking for, as well as a few examples of the value I've brought to previous roles.

After you've poked around a bit, if you feel like we might align, please reach out. If not, thanks for stopping by, and I hope you find the right person. There are a lot of amazing people out there; you should consider hiring one of them.


The Team

That merry band of misfits. The team that:

  • doesn't make any sense on paper
  • works because everyone comes from different perspectives
  • brings their whole, unabashed selves
  • you turn to when the challenge is messy

The team you rely on to figure out what's next.

The Role

Supporting a design team through:

  • mentorship
  • untying messy knots
  • ferocious advocacy
  • unlikely partnerships
  • strategic wayfinding

In other words, leadership.

The Company

An organization that believes in:

  • understanding real people, not “users”
  • the value of a thoughtful experience
  • uncomfortable transparency
  • trust
  • not being evil*

*+73 points if you're making the world a better place.


My Greatest Lessons

ITERATIONS: DESIGN OPS LEAD | SERVICE DESIGNER | DESIGN STRATEGIST | EXPERIENCE DESIGNER

I solve messy problems, generally by opening the aperture. Whether it's reconsidering the challenge space, bringing together unlikely perspectives, or crafting reframing experiences, my strategic solutions balance inspiration and business impact.

Oh, and I'm also one of those weird designers who love an operational puzzle, so I'm not just throwing solutions over a wall for someone else to implement.

  • Leading teams for 9 years taught me how much more can be achieved by helping others shine and learn.
  • Studying human-centered design taught me “Who?” is always the first question, followed immediately by “Why?”
  • Managing programs and operations for eight years taught me to lead through collaboration.
  • Launching an HIV prevention program taught me how to design life-changing services.
  • Producing events for eight years taught me to design experiences with data and behavioral insights.
  • Facilitating and teaching for 15 years taught me to value reciprocal learning and engagement.

To read about how this work, and all my previous iterations, has shaped my evolving perspective:

Download a Copy of My Resume


Project partner logos

You have an amazing ability to make everyone in the room feel heard.

— Beth R., WW Regional Manager

Let's Chat

I'm very likely pretty excited to read your message. Keep an eye out for my response in the next day or two.

kjpeppers@gmail.com