My name is Paula, or Pa’a for short, and I’m an award-winning multiprofessional with over 20 years of experience.

I support British SMEs as a UX strategist, crafting experiences that align user needs, business goals, and technology. I plan and design exceptional website and app experiences that drive business outcomes.

I’m also a public speaker and author, sharing insights on topics such as user-centred software design, career planning, mindfulness-based wellness, neurodiversity in families, and outdoor adventure planning.

With a background in graphic design, I further nurture my out-of-the-box creativity by contributing to artistic communities as an art model.

More recently, I’ve embarked on academic research in Indic religious studies, building on my yoga teacher training and a decade of teaching.

By working with me, you help support a network of charitable causes, as I donate a portion of my time and services to organisations that make a positive impact. Recently supported: pessoboyden-devon.co.uk, familyconstellation.co.uk, autismcentral.org.uk, anniegardner.uk

MY WORK EXPERIENCE

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Web & App Strategist since 2002

Self-employed · Tavistock & Totnes
Offering expert consulting, mentoring, and business development services with a specialisation in enhancing websites, apps, and marketing for improved user engagement. Experience extends to conducting nuanced user research in challenging domains. Clients include Good With Ltd, HealthPad CIC, Working Planet Ltd, My Resettlement Ltd, Echoes.xyz Ltd, Glade Writer, I’ve Got Your Back, Healing Fusion, Dreaming Earth Apothecary, Pesso Boyden Devon, and more.

Top Skills & Activities: UX & Product Strategy (Agile & Lean UX, Wireframing & Prototyping with Figma & Axure RP, High-Fidelity Design, Information Architecture, Accessibility Auditing, Usability Testing, Persona & Empathy Map Development, Interviewing & Survey Design, UX Microcopy Writing, User Journey Mapping, Academic Research & Analysis, Google Analytics Reporting), Strategy & Business Development (UX Strategy & Roadmapping, Risk Planning, Business Model Innovation, Digital Transformation Strategy, Stakeholder Engagement, Agile Requirements Prioritisation, Brand Strategy), Consulting & Leadership (Digital Strategy Consulting, Mentoring & Coaching, Cross-Functional Team Coordination, Project Management, UX & Business Workshop Facilitation, Startup & SME Advising), Web Development (WordPress, Squarespace & Wix Customisation, CMS Management, SEO Principles & Implementation, Website Optimisation, eCommerce Integration, Plugin Evaluation & Customisation), Communication & Public Engagement (Public Speaking & Lecturing, Guest Lecturing at Universities, Educational Content Creation, Empathetic Client Communication, Copywriting for User Engagement), Marketing & Content Strategy (UX Marketing Strategy, Audience Research, Social Media Campaign Coordination, Email Campaign Support, Promotional Video Direction)

UX & Service Design Strategist since 2025

Good With Ltd · Innovate UK Grant
Leading UX strategy, service design, and user research for a financial wellbeing tool co-developed with a leading UK bank and its credit risk team. Conducting in-depth qualitative and quantitative research into financial vulnerability, and designing personalised user journeys and prototypes for debt prevention and recovery. Auditing onboarding flows and app layouts to maximise usability and engagement with minimal development effort. Collaborating with content, behaviour, and data teams to translate insights into accessible, emotionally intelligent digital services.

Peer Educator since 2023

Bristol Autism Support · NHS England Grant
Delivering Autism Central's co-produced webinars and facilitating in-person support groups for parents and carers. Supporting families to better understand autism, navigate support systems, and care for their own wellbeing, as well as providing guidance and signposting. Collecting registration and feedback data to inform programme development and support future funding. Completing mandatory safeguarding and facilitation trainings to ensure high standards of delivery.

Public Speaker 2017–2025

Self-employed · Devon
Delivering lectures, workshops, talks, presentations, and webinars to universities, colleges, businesses, conferences, and charities on topics such as user-centred software design, career planning, mindfulness-based wellness, neurodiversity in families, and outdoor adventure planning. Clients include Arts University Plymouth, City College Plymouth, Venturefest South West, Future Sync, Adventure Stories, and more.

Mindfulness Yoga Teacher 2015–2025

Self-employed · Devon
Leading Rāja & Haṭha Yoga one-on-ones, group classes and retreats in various settings – studios, gyms, business parks, beaches, yachts, private homes, and online via Zoom. Notable venues and partners include Naleia Yachting International, Blue Chip Holidays, Exeter Golf & Country Club, Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Cowork Ventures Ltd, Michelmores LLP, Lotus Loft Yoga Centre, Exeter Phoenix, and more.

Art Model 2016–2025

Self-employed · Devon
Providing life modelling services to colleges, art galleries, and art groups. Working in a variety of mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, digital, and photography. Interpreting the artist’s vision, utilising physical endurance, yoga-boosted flexibility and meditation, as well as creating a comfortable and productive working environment. Notable clients include award-winning painter Gregory Mason, Disney's storyboarder Rob Pybus, artist Helen Wheatley, and more.

Senior UX Strategist 2021–2022

Good With Ltd · Plymouth · ERDF EPIC & Innovate UK Grant
Planning and conducting in-depth research on the intersection of mental health, financial education, and AI technology. Utilising methods such as user interviews, academic paper reviews, and usability testing. Analysing data, producing insights & reports, and prototyping and testing solutions tailored to Gen Z. Leveraging outcomes to devise effective UX strategy and inform other areas of business.

User Experience Director 2017–2020

Duesday Ltd · Liskeard · ERDF Grant
Advising the CEO as part of the Senior Management Team in a fintech startup addressing financial wellbeing challenges. Managing and mentoring a team of five responsible for curating an optimal user experience for Millennials and Gen X across all products and channels. Conducting research, prototyping, and testing solutions addressing the challenges arising from financial hardship and billing constraints. Working collaboratively in areas such as brand, design, marketing, sales, usability, and user support to ensure a seamless experience for the target audience.

Lead UX/UI Designer & Developer 2014–2016

blur Group Plc · Exeter
Designing and FE-developing digital tools for project management and business matching. Ensuring consistent brand identity across products. Conducting usability audits and tests for optimal user experience. Fostering collaboration between design and development teams.

UX/UI Developer 2013-2014

blur Group Plc · London

Web Designer 2011–2012

All-In Design Ltd • Cambridgeshire

Web Developer 2008–2009

Hanza Creative Agency • Warsaw

Photojournalist 2006–2008

SLAJD Young Culture Magazine • Lodz

Editorial Designer 1998–2008

Agencja Dziennikarzy sp. z o.o. • Pabianice

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MY EDUCATION

MA
SOAS University of London
DISTINCTION in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation
2024
MSC
The Technical University of Lodz & University of Porto
DISTINCTION in Information Systems in Management and e-Commerce
2011
BSC
The University of Humanities and Economics in Lodz
FIRST CLASS HONOURS in Graphics and Multimedia
2009
LEVEL 3
The Complex of Economic Schools in Pabianice
Economics and Business Administration: Maths, English, Polish
2005

MY PUBLICATIONS

"Consumer-Oriented Online Shop Creation"
2011

"Consumer-Oriented Online Shop Creation"

Intuitive E-commerce Guide

Buy now on Amazom
"Wizerunek firm w Internecie"
2009

"Wizerunek firm w Internecie"

Language: Polish 🇵🇱

Download .epub

MY COURSES & AWARDS

Agile Leadership
by Software Cornwall

Copywriting
by NLP Eddu Club

Counselling Listening Skills 📜
by Heartwood Counselling

Data Viz
by Information is Beautiful

Developing Innovative Ideas for New Companies 📜
by University of Maryland

Ethical Marketing
by Tad Hargrave

Fire Safety (QCF) 📜
by Phoenix Safety & Education

GDPR Compliance
by HSQE

Google Startup Weekend (Winner) 🏆
by Google

Hill and Moorland Leader
by Mountain Training

Leadership & Management 3 (Award) 📜
by CMI

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
by Sunrise Psychology

NLP Practitioner
by Chris Howard

Process-Oriented Psychology
by START

Safeguarding, Ethics, Boundaries & Facilitating Skills 📜
by Autism Central

Teacher Training
by Code Club Pro

Understanding Autism 📜
by Autism Central

Understanding Media by Understanding Google 📜
by Northwestern University

User Experience Workshops
by Mekonta

Yoga Teacher Diploma (500 hours) 📜
by Devon School of Yoga

MY VOLUNTEERING

Facilitation Assistant since 2019

Sarasi Rogers Systemic Constellations

Nature Walks Guide 2017–2025

& Community Events Manager SW Nature Walks

Tree Planter 2018–2024

Dartmoor National Park

Catering Assistant 2023

The Glade

Logistics Specialist 2006–2007

Camerimage Film Festival

Videographer & Journalist 2004

TV ProMok

Fundraising Coordinator 2002–2005

The Red Cross

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