Kirk Castro

Kirk Castro

Director of Product Design

Seattle, WA

Professional Summary

All of my wealth is in my relationships.

Human-centered design leader with over a decade of experience in product and UX design, including leading cross-functional teams across internal tools, B2B, and B2C platforms. Known for driving business outcomes through data-informed design, strategic thinking, and scalable systems. Experienced in mentoring design teams, building strong relationships across disciplines, and shipping high-impact solutions that improve operational efficiency and user satisfaction.

All of my wealth is in my relationships.

Human-centered design leader with over a decade of experience in product and UX design, including leading cross-functional teams across internal tools, B2B, and B2C platforms. Known for driving business outcomes through data-informed design, strategic thinking, and scalable systems. Experienced in mentoring design teams, building strong relationships across disciplines, and shipping high-impact solutions that improve operational efficiency and user satisfaction.

Work History

Director of Product Design

Independence Pet Group | B2C Pet Insurance group serving millions of customers

September 2022 - Present

I lead a talented team of designers, developers, and UX specialists to improve user experiences across multiple brands. My efforts focus on driving measurable outcomes, such as increasing conversion rates and streamlining workflows through innovative design systems.

● Transformed a 6-12 month build cycle into a 4-week delivery, reducing time to launch by over 80% and enabling rapid brand onboarding at scale ● Lead UX strategy across customer-facing web platforms and mobile experiences ● Directed time boxed initiatives to improve policy conversion, contributing to a 50% increase in rates via user-centered testing and optimization ● Designed and implemented design systems used by multiple internal and external teams, improving end to end velocity ● Mentored a growing UX team, define processes, and advocate for scalable, high-quality UX across the org

Director of Product Design

Independence Pet Group | B2C Pet Insurance group serving millions of customers

September 2022 - Present

I lead a talented team of designers, developers, and UX specialists to improve user experiences across multiple brands. My efforts focus on driving measurable outcomes, such as increasing conversion rates and streamlining workflows through innovative design systems.

● Transformed a 6-12 month build cycle into a 4-week delivery, reducing time to launch by over 80% and enabling rapid brand onboarding at scale ● Lead UX strategy across customer-facing web platforms and mobile experiences ● Directed time boxed initiatives to improve policy conversion, contributing to a 50% increase in rates via user-centered testing and optimization ● Designed and implemented design systems used by multiple internal and external teams, improving end to end velocity ● Mentored a growing UX team, define processes, and advocate for scalable, high-quality UX across the org

Director of Product Design

Independence Pet Group | B2C Pet Insurance group serving millions of customers

September 2022 - Present

I lead a talented team of designers, developers, and UX specialists to improve user experiences across multiple brands. My efforts focus on driving measurable outcomes, such as increasing conversion rates and streamlining workflows through innovative design systems.

● Transformed a 6-12 month build cycle into a 4-week delivery, reducing time to launch by over 80% and enabling rapid brand onboarding at scale ● Lead UX strategy across customer-facing web platforms and mobile experiences ● Directed time boxed initiatives to improve policy conversion, contributing to a 50% increase in rates via user-centered testing and optimization ● Designed and implemented design systems used by multiple internal and external teams, improving end to end velocity ● Mentored a growing UX team, define processes, and advocate for scalable, high-quality UX across the org

Co-Founder

Shepherd Veterinary Software | B2B software streamlining operations for veterinary practices

January 2016 - June 2022

I built and scaled a startup that transformed how veterinary practices operate, managing every aspect of product design and development. Through collaboration and leadership, I delivered impactful solutions that drove rapid user and revenue growth.

● Built a veterinary SaaS platform from the ground up, focusing on internal operations such as scheduling, billing, medical records, and workflow optimization ● Led all UX and product design initiatives, scaling from MVP to nationwide adoption with 2x year-over-year growth ● Owned full-stack UX delivery, from discovery to deployment, integrating seamlessly with backend systems ● Developed internal toolkits for vet staff that balanced complex domain logic with intuitive interaction design ● Mentored a cross-functional team and worked closely with technical and business stakeholders to define product direction

Co-Founder

Shepherd Veterinary Software | B2B software streamlining operations for veterinary practices

Co-Founder

Shepherd Veterinary Software | B2B software streamlining operations for veterinary practices

January 2016 - June 2022

I built and scaled a startup that transformed how veterinary practices operate, managing every aspect of product design and development. Through collaboration and leadership, I delivered impactful solutions that drove rapid user and revenue growth.

● Built a veterinary SaaS platform from the ground up, focusing on internal operations such as scheduling, billing, medical records, and workflow optimization ● Led all UX and product design initiatives, scaling from MVP to nationwide adoption with 2x year-over-year growth ● Owned full-stack UX delivery, from discovery to deployment, integrating seamlessly with backend systems ● Developed internal toolkits for vet staff that balanced complex domain logic with intuitive interaction design ● Mentored a cross-functional team and worked closely with technical and business stakeholders to define product direction

Product Designer

Kajabi | B2C platform for creating and selling online courses

March 2015 - December 2015

I played a key role in enhancing Kajabi’s platform by designing impactful user interfaces and marketing materials. Leveraging my technical skills and design expertise, I delivered cohesive, user-friendly solutions that elevated the overall user experience.

● Designed and developed UI web templates and internal platform features, utilizing HTML, CSS, SASS, and Ruby on Rails to deliver functional and visually engaging user interfaces. ● Conducted comprehensive UX research to understand user needs, informing data-driven design decisions. ● Created and maintained marketing materials that adhered to brand standards, enhancing product visibility and consistency. ● Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of design elements into the overall platform.

Product Designer

Kajabi | B2C platform for creating and selling online courses

Product Designer

Kajabi | B2C platform for creating and selling online courses

March 2015 - December 2015

I played a key role in enhancing Kajabi’s platform by designing impactful user interfaces and marketing materials. Leveraging my technical skills and design expertise, I delivered cohesive, user-friendly solutions that elevated the overall user experience.

● Designed and developed UI web templates and internal platform features, utilizing HTML, CSS, SASS, and Ruby on Rails to deliver functional and visually engaging user interfaces. ● Conducted comprehensive UX research to understand user needs, informing data-driven design decisions. ● Created and maintained marketing materials that adhered to brand standards, enhancing product visibility and consistency. ● Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of design elements into the overall platform.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree - Graphic Design and Digital Media

Bachelor’s Degree - Graphic Design and Digital Media

Laguna College of Art and Design

Skills

Skills

Product Design

Product Strategy

Leadership

Product Ownership

Design Systems

User Research

Agile

Mentorship & Team Development

Mentorship &
Team Development

Data-Informed Design

Executive Communication

Executive
Communication

+ More

+ More

+ More

Reach Out

Reach Out

Design as an act of hospitality.

Whether I’m shaping a product experience, hosting a whiskey club in my backyard, or serving at my church, I’m trying to make people feel welcomed and wanted, like they belong.

Good design, like good hosting, is about anticipating needs, clearing away friction, and creating space where people can thrive. I’ve rallied people around ideas, hobbies, meals, and mission not because I need to be at the center of it, but because I believe people come alive when they feel seen and supported. That’s what drives me as a design leader: not just solving problems, but caring for people in the process.

Design as an act of hospitality.

Whether I’m shaping a product experience, hosting a whiskey club in my backyard, or serving at my church, I’m trying to make people feel welcomed and wanted, like they belong.

Good design, like good hosting, is about anticipating needs, clearing away friction, and creating space where people can thrive. I’ve rallied people around ideas, hobbies, meals, and mission not because I need to be at the center of it, but because I believe people come alive when they feel seen and supported. That’s what drives me as a design leader: not just solving problems, but caring for people in the process.

Design as an act of hospitality.

Whether I’m shaping a product experience, hosting a whiskey club in my backyard, or serving at my church, I’m trying to make people feel welcomed and wanted, like they belong.

Good design, like good hosting, is about anticipating needs, clearing away friction, and creating space where people can thrive. I’ve rallied people around ideas, hobbies, meals, and mission not because I need to be at the center of it, but because I believe people come alive when they feel seen and supported. That’s what drives me as a design leader: not just solving problems, but caring for people in the process.

Let's Work Together

Let's Work Together