Strategic UX leader specializing in
Design Operations, Design Systems,
and Accessibility.
Expertise in design governance, tooling standardization, and cross-functional collaboration to elevate design team effectiveness. Passionate about accessibility, inclusive design, and operational excellence.
Current Projects
USCIS Design System
Developed and oversees the USCIS Figma component library, the first part of the new design system, serving as a centralized source of truth for all public-facing design teams to ensure consistency, efficiency, and accessibility across digital experiences. Includes guidance on usage and accessibility best practices to support inclusive and effective design.
Figma Administration
Worked with Figma and USCIS purchasing to acquire Figma as the organization’s primary design tool, streamlining workflows by retiring all other design tools and unifying collaboration across USCIS design teams for the first time. Additionally, partnered with IT to implement Single Sign-On (SSO), ensuring compliance with security requirements while enabling secure and seamless access.
Federal Website Audits
Conducting Federal website audits to ensure compliance with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and DHS standards, enhancing consistency, accessibility, and security across digital platforms. Working closely with design teams to develop action plans that address identified issues, improve design quality, and elevate the user experience.
I serve as the Design System Program Manager at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), working remotely from Austin, Texas. I ensure that all public-facing websites align with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and USCIS/DHS branding guidelines.
In July 2024, I successfully led the organization’s transition to Figma, supporting 100+ designers throughout the adoption process and managing the tool as an administrator. Later that year, I launched the new USCIS Figma component library, which I developed to serve as a single source of truth with 508-compliant, reusable components, enhancing consistency, accessibility, and efficiency across teams. Additionally, I created design resources and best practice documentation on my CX Team’s Confluence website to support ongoing design operations.
Design Quality + Governance
My remote design teams operate within an agile framework, ensuring continuous improvements while maintaining a user-centered approach. I establish Design Thinking guidelines and human-centered design principles to help teams create the right solutions for the right challenges.
To ensure consistency and compliance, I review design work for alignment with the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and introduce accessibility best practices. Additionally, I facilitate Community of Practice and Working Group meetings, providing a space to share best practices, troubleshoot challenges, and seek guidance.
Mentoring
I mentor designers on ADPList. If you’d like to connect, you can check my calendar and book a session at your convenience.
“Hope was very approachable and shared a lot of resources on how I can improve my knowledge of accessibility.”
George R. Yang
UX Designer, Moment Studio
“Had a wonderful session with Hope. She is very kind, patient and helpful, gave me constructive feedback on my portfolio, taught me how to do a storytelling.”