Tell us about your career.
I came to Germany to study for my master's degree in 2017. I have been passionate about computers since childhood. Being in Germany gave me a very different perspective on the world of study and work. I joined UL Solutions in 2019. I have worked across the whole pipeline from design to delivery and across a wide range of web, mobile, app and computer development. I am now the Global Program Manager for Accessibility, which has become my primary focus.
Could you describe a typical day in your role?
My role has evolved significantly since I first joined UL Solutions and even over the past year. Currently, I work on a lot of overlapping, innovative and challenging projects, while collaborating with a wide range of customers. Every day brings new opportunities to help customers overcome unique accessibility challenges.
Working in accessibility means every challenge is different; the solutions need to be innovative, as there is such a range of potential disabilities. I am always thinking, always looking for the next opportunity to improve.
Since our team provides an additional, optional service for customers, I also spend time ensuring that I communicate ideas clearly and effectively, so customers understand their value and potential impact. It keeps our team on our toes, but it also fosters a strong team spirit. One of the most rewarding parts of my role is helping customers improve a product’s accessibility beyond the requirements for certification and knowing that our work can make a meaningful difference for users.
Why is creating a safer world important to you?
We cannot guarantee that we will have the same abilities we have now until the end of our lives. People without disabilities may take for granted the vast array of technology that we use every day, but for a disabled person there could be any number of issues that limit their access to the modern digital world. There are so many layers within each disability, for example, someone who is unable to see may require a screen reader, while someone with reduced vision may require larger text or specific colors.
I may be helping to create a safer world for other people, but I am also doing it for myself. I want to make sure that whatever the future brings for myself and others, that our access to the digital world is not reduced because of disability.
I have also always wanted to work in a sector that benefits our planet and others. Seeing the things I have suggested and helped develop become available to the public when they are released, lets me see my impact first-hand. That makes me so proud.
Could you share some of the coolest things you have been a part of with UL Solutions?
I think the other coolest thing is the impact a single person can have on UL Solutions. When we started the accessibility project, it was quite different from our other offerings. We held many workshops, discussed with customers and partners, and had to work hard to develop this offering. It just so happened that one of our senior leaders was visiting our office when we were workshopping and decided to sit in on the meeting. Within two months, he shared our initiative with a customer, and we had our first project. To see this project grow from just a handful of us discussing it to becoming a global offering which delivers real social impact is amazing.
Can you describe a time someone supported you in a meaningful or unexpected way?
One of my first projects involved supporting a company that detects unexploded ordnance (UXOs) on construction sites. I was supposed to be working on medical applications, so I asked my manager how this fits my role. He explained that whenever people’s safety is at risk, it is our job to step in. Even as a new employee, he could see my drive and empathy and wanted to give me work that would inspire me. I am so grateful for that experience. I recognize the importance of our work and the value I bring each day.
How has being part of a global organization shaped your experience at UL Solutions?
Being part of a global organization means you are always learning. People from different cultures and countries have very different ways of communicating, both in and outside of work. I regularly speak to people across the world, customers from the USA to Japan and beyond. This helps inform my work in accessibility as I can see plainly that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for people.