👋 Hi, I’m Sarah, a design leader and problem‑solver based in Christchurch, New Zealand.
I’ve spent over a decade designing digital products across startups, SaaS, public sector, and high‑impact industries. At my core, I’m a designer who loves understanding people, unpacking complex systems, and shaping meaningful product experiences. I care deeply about work that makes life easier for others, whether that’s: simplifying essential tasks, improving clarity, or removing cognitive load from moments that matter.
My current role
I’m currently the Design Lead at Datapay, a cloud‑based payroll platform that pays 1 in 6 New Zealanders and supports medium to large organisations with deep configurability, modern integrations, and ongoing AI‑led innovation. In my role, I guide the product experience through clarity, evidence, and genuine connection to the people who rely on our payroll SaaS every day. I lead detailed JTBD research, market analysis (TAM/SAM/SOM), structured discovery, and cross‑functional workshops that build shared understanding across the organisation. A big part of my work focuses on easing cognitive load during high‑pressure workflows and shaping a design practice that brings calm, confidence, and simplicity to complexity.
I’m currently leading design through Datapay’s shift toward AI‑Driven Development. This includes shaping our agentic‑first design system, enabling AI to consume design context, and evolving our discovery workflows so we can learn faster, align earlier, and deliver meaningful value with more confidence. My vision is a design practice that informs how we imagine, prioritise, and build the next generation of payroll technology, blending rigorous research with AI‑accelerated learning.
My leadership philosophy
For me, design leadership is about helping teams grow through clarity and connection to real customer needs. It’s about creating the conditions for thoughtful problem‑framing, healthy collaboration, and outcome‑driven design. I’m especially passionate about reducing friction and stress for users, building systems, processes, and culture that help teams design with empathy first.
A bit about my background
Before Datapay, I led the design team at FarmIQ, mentoring designers, streamlining design processes, and uplifting research maturity across the organisation. I've worked across a variety of platforms and sectors, including products, agencies, and the public sector. I have worked with a range of clients, from small businesses, start-ups, and not-for-profits to large organisations. No matter the context, I’ve always loved designing information‑driven experiences and products that contribute something good to the world.
Leadership Impact Areas:
✨ Growing and mentoring design teams
🙋♀️ Leading product discovery and problem‑framing
🧱 Building scalable design systems and workflows
💬 Facilitating cross‑functional alignment
🧠 Turning research insights into strategic direction
♿ Designing for clarity, accessibility, and cognitive ease
🤖 Embedding AI into design practice and delivery
🙋♀️ Leading product discovery and problem‑framing
🧱 Building scalable design systems and workflows
💬 Facilitating cross‑functional alignment
🧠 Turning research insights into strategic direction
♿ Designing for clarity, accessibility, and cognitive ease
🤖 Embedding AI into design practice and delivery
Outside of work...
You'll usually find me outside tramping, riding one of my bicycles, making pottery, gardening, or hanging out with animals. 🥾🚴♀️🦧🦇🐳🐙🐛🦀⛰️
Tools & craft skills
Figma & FigJam • Miro • Dovetail • Adobe Suite • Design Systems • JTBD • WCAG Accessibility • Agile collaboration • Illustration & visual identity
