The world is increasingly dominated by user personalization in design experiences. Nowadays, a single interaction has the power to build or break brand allegiance. Thus, it is essential to have a leadership direction that is not only intelligent but also deeply practical, thoroughly research-driven, and widely acknowledged within industry. It is here, in this multifaceted high-stakes context, that Dr. Jennifer Romano stands as an unrivaled expert.
With over 15 years of distinguished experience, Dr. Romano’s background is built on a stellar foundation: a doctorate in Applied Experimental Psychology. Her grounding in this area of scholarship is the foundation upon which her knowledge of human behavior, perception, and cognition rests – the very foundation of intuitive and engaging user experiences. She not only knows what users do, but why they do it, allowing her to develop strategies that connect on a more profound, more effective basis.
From Showroom Beginnings to Global Stages
From the showrooms of her family’s design business, Dr. Romano has made her way through some of the biggest and best UX orgs in the world (e.g., Google, Facebook, Instagram), speaking, teaching, and being a keynote speaker at top UX conferences in the world (e.g., User Experience Professionals Association, World Usability Congress, Digitale Leute, Human Computer Interaction International). She has become the go-to expert in strategic UX research, leadership coaching, and keynote speaking that sparks transformation. Her cross-sector experience empowers leaders to think differently, act intentionally, and lead boldly.
Just like her prolific career today, Dr. Romano’s journey began before she even knew it had started—at age five, reorganizing kitchen layouts in her parents’ showroom because the flow felt inefficient. “I wasn’t just playing; I was solving problems through design.”
Growing up in a family business taught her the value of customer experience and operational efficiency, lessons that stuck with her through her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology. It later shaped her career at the US Census Bureau, Facebook, Bridgewater, and Google. Her unique background fuses behavioral science, research precision, and real-world business acumen.
Where Psychology Meets Business Strategy
Dr. Romano teaches at UC Berkeley, Pratt Institute, and the University of Maryland and has published more than 30 articles, chapters, and books. Her impact is felt in an impressive spectrum of roles and industries. A prize-winning UX Research Leader, she has led projects for international titans Facebook, Instagram, and Google, directly influencing the online experience of billions. Her experience is not limited to corporate giants; she has had an equally considerable impact in academia, government (such as the US Census Bureau), financial institutions, and highly technical consulting positions, proving her versatility and the global applicability of her findings. As a manager, director, or individual contributor, strategist, or doer, her capacity to provide concrete outcomes has uniformly distinguished her.
Aside from her leadership, Dr. Romano is an energetic driving force in the larger research and design world. Acting as an international Design Research Advisor and Consultant, she enables organizations to integrate user-centricity into their DNA.
Shaping the Future, One Researcher at a Time
Moreover, she, as a Coach and Instructor, is directly developing the next wave of UX professionals by imparting much of her extensive expertise through workshops, courses, and individual mentorship. Going beyond, as a celebrated Author of titles such as “Eye Tracking in User Experience Design“, “Modern Socio-Technical Perspectives on Privacy,” and “Usability Testing for Survey Research,” as well as a sought-after Keynote Speaker, she shares the latest research and best practices continuously, advancing the entire discipline.
According to Dr. Romano, C-Suite leaders today need more than inspiration—they need clarity, actionable insight, and a trusted voice that understands how business, human behavior, and design intersect. That’s where she comes in.
She founded UXR Coach to help people make their UX dreams a reality. With small, instructor-led workshops, courses, and retreats, as well as personalized one-on-one coaching, she offers individuals ways to gain renewed confidence and develop the skills necessary to grow as a UX Researcher.
A Voice that Resonates: From Research Labs to Global Stages
Dr. Romano is not just a speaker—she’s a strategist with a microphone, a researcher with a mission, and a mentor with real-world experience to back every insight she shares. Whether she’s standing before C-suite executives, Fortune 500 teams, or students in university lecture halls, Dr. Romano integrates her diverse roles—advisor, instructor, author, and keynote speaker—into one powerful force for transformation.
“Executives don’t need theory—they need tested frameworks and proven insight,” she explains. “My coaching and consulting work gives me a front-row seat to real, current challenges. Everything I present has been road-tested in boardrooms, classrooms, startups, and global brands alike.”
Her ability to bridge disciplines—psychology, business strategy, and design—enables her to offer more than motivation. She delivers actionable, data-driven value that redefines what leadership and UX strategy can look like in a complex digital era.
Cutting Through the Noise: What Truly Matters
At the heart of Dr. Romano’s speaking philosophy is a sharp belief in clarity, impact, and removing internal roadblocks.
“Most people are unknowingly in their own way,” she asserts. “My role is to help leaders see that—whether the barrier is ego, flawed research practices, or decision fatigue—and guide them to more effective, intentional outcomes.”
Her talks center on helping professionals and organizations unlock their true potential by embracing purposeful action and strategic clarity. She’s passionate about shifting mindsets, not just behaviors.
From speaking on UX research innovation to coaching on leadership psychology, Dr. Romano’s engagements always empower audiences to act with greater awareness—and achieve with sharper intent.
Leading with Intention, Speaking with Impact
What distinguishes Dr. Romano in a sea of speakers is her deep field experience, combined with a powerful and human-centered delivery. Her insights aren’t theoretical—they’re built from lived experience, tested across sectors, and infused with genuine empathy.
Whether it’s in Hawaii, New York, or across Europe, her voice continues to shape how organizations design, lead, and evolve. In every engagement, she brings not just credibility but transformation.
“I don’t just inspire,” she says. “I deliver value-backed strategy that moves organizations forward.”
The Architecture of an Unforgettable Keynote
For Dr. Romano, a keynote is never just a speech—it’s a cognitive blueprint for transformation. With a rare ability to tailor her message to any room, from Silicon Valley tech giants to Ivy League lecture halls, she doesn’t just present information—she rewires perspectives.
“An unforgettable keynote transcends job titles,” she affirms. “It speaks to human truths, big-picture goals, and hidden inefficiencies. I don’t aim to give people a checklist—I aim to shift the way they think.”
Her formula is sharp and effective: data-backed insights, candid delivery, and actionable strategy. What sets her apart is how she reads a room—not just demographically, but psychologically. Each speaking engagement is custom-engineered to align with the audience’s goals, delivering that crucial “aha” moment that lingers far beyond the applause.
When Insight Hits Home: The Ego Challenge
Dr. Romano recalls one moment in particular that continues to reverberate across her engagements. At a recent talk, she addressed a subtle saboteur that often escapes leadership training: ego.
“I challenged the room to examine how ego derails innovation and influence,” she recounts. “I saw heads nodding, pens flying. That’s when I know I’ve struck gold—when people feel seen and leave the room with a fresh lens on leadership.”
The feedback was immediate and powerful. Attendees weren’t just inspired—they were changed.
“The most powerful feedback I get?” she smiles. “‘You made me rethink the way I lead—and the results came fast.’”
Redefining Leadership in a Male-Dominated Arena
As a woman leading conversations in boardrooms and ballrooms alike, Dr. Romano has navigated the complex intersections of power, gender, and credibility with resilience and purpose.
“Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room,” she says. “It’s about being the one people trust.”
She has not only broken barriers but reshaped them—from championing pay equity on her own teams to openly discussing money, power, and professional worth on public stages. Her approach? Leading with data, honesty, and kindness—a combination that disarms, inspires, and delivers lasting change.
“I’ve coached women through salary negotiations and called out the politics of worth when others wouldn’t. The result? Lasting trust—and lasting change.”
Leading with Purpose, Speaking with Precision
In an age where attention is fleeting and leadership is being redefined, Dr. Romano remains a lighthouse of clarity and transformation. Her journey—from rearranging kitchens at age five to reshaping how global leaders think—continues to inspire audiences around the world.
Whether she’s on a corporate stage in New York or hosting a design retreat in Hawaii, one thing is certain: when Dr. Romano speaks, the room listens—and evolves.
Teaching That Transforms
Dr. Romano doesn’t just deliver keynotes—she teaches with precision, depth, and purpose. Her presence on stage mirrors the educator and mentor she’s always been.
“I teach the way I lead: with rigor and relevance,” she explains.
Her content is never theoretical fluff. It’s grounded in real-world insights from her experiences at Google, Facebook, Bridgewater, and other notable companies. Her sessions speak to the unique needs of each role:
“CFOs appreciate my strategic lens. CEOs appreciate my execution clarity. Teams leave empowered, not overwhelmed.”
Tailored for Impact
What sets Dr. Romano apart is her refusal to deliver recycled content. She treats each audience as singular and worthy of a custom-crafted message.
“For academics, I bring data and frameworks. For corporate teams, I bring strategy, speed, and ROI. For creatives, I bring the ‘why’ behind the ‘wow.’”
That personalized approach is why clients—and entire organizations—keep bringing her back.
A Voice for the Future
Looking ahead, Dr. Romano is deeply committed to shaping future leaders.
“Your hardest experiences are your greatest assets—if you learn from them.”
Her vision is one of convergence, where academia, design, and innovation meet to solve today’s most urgent challenges.
“We need more synergy. The problems we’re solving demand it.”
Fueled by Innovation and Purpose
Dr. Romano draws her inspiration from bold thinkers—the risk-takers, the innovators, the ones who build without waiting for permission. This spirit fueled two major ventures in 2025, both deeply aligned with her core mission: empowering others through experience and design.
“Smart people couldn’t get jobs because they lacked client-facing experience. So, I built the bridge.”
That bridge became her UX Research Matching Program—a one-of-a-kind platform that pairs emerging researchers with real business needs. She mentors each participant to deliver work that meets the rigorous standards her clients expect.
Simultaneously, she launched Boom Photo Booth, a company rooted in one radical question: How can this already-fun product be better? Her answer combined great design, smarter tech, and human-centered UX to create an unforgettable experience.
“It’s the most joyful expression of everything I teach—user-first thinking, research-led design, and unforgettable experiences.”
Bravery Over Perfection
On stage, Dr. Romano channels that same drive to innovate into her message to others—especially women—finding their voice in leadership and thought.
“You don’t need to be fearless. You need to be brave.”
She reminds aspiring speakers that their presence is powerful, even when it feels uncertain.
“Those butterflies in your stomach? Let them soar. You belong in that room.”
For Dr. Romano, influence is earned not by shouting the loudest, but by speaking with truth, strategy, and soul. And as her story continues, so does her impact, resonating far beyond the podium.
Ready to shift your team’s thinking? Align strategy and design? Or simply get out of your own way?
If you’re a leader ready to unlock your team’s potential through sharper research, smarter leadership, and unshakeable clarity, it’s time to talk to Dr. Jennifer Romano.
She is available globally for consulting, offering fast mixed-methods research and strategy services. You can often find her in New York, Connecticut, and Hawaii.
Visit www.uxrcoach.com or connect directly on LinkedIn.
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