I'm a fiesty, five-foot-nothing engineer, business strategist and design thinker who attacks product and service design problems using both my left and right brain. I developed a deep passion for customers and understanding their needs during my six years in manufacturing when I felt a disconnect working far upstream from my customers.

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This passion to understand my customers led me to move to Kenya for six months so I could better understand my customer at the time—small holder farmers. 

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While in Kenya, I spent time learning and applying Human Centered Design principles as I saw these principles linking creative and analytical problem solving strategies. 

 

While obtaining an MBA/MA in Design Leadership from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and Maryland Institute College of Art, the pandemic hit. While I was trapped in my room feeling down and out about the state of the world, I started TamPal, a business focused on making tampons and pads as accessible as toilet paper in bathrooms. Period. I went on to win the MICA Up/Start competition, receiving $40K to support my business plan, and went on to participate in the Johns Hopkins Social Innovation lab. While am still an active period warrior, TamPal is currently on pause.

 

Post-grad, I worked in consulting for Prophet Brand Strategy, which focused on helping clients grow and transform their businesses.

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Being an operator and executor at heart, I am currently working to transition back into an in-house role where I can continue to develop and deliver products and services that delight consumers. 

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Design Relentlessly,

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Erica Duffy

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