Kirk Castro

Kirk Castro

Director of Product Design

Seattle, WA

Professional Summary

All of my wealth is in my relationships.

Director-level design leader with 12+ years shaping digital products from startup 0–1 to enterprise scale. I’m driven by clarity, empathy, and helping teams do their best work: building products that not only move metrics but actually make people’s lives easier. Colleagues know me for balancing vision with pragmatism, and for leading in a way that values long-term trust over short-term optics.

All of my wealth is in my relationships.

Director-level design leader with 12+ years shaping digital products from startup 0–1 to enterprise scale. I’m driven by clarity, empathy, and helping teams do their best work: building products that not only move metrics but actually make people’s lives easier. Colleagues know me for balancing vision with pragmatism, and for leading in a way that values long-term trust over short-term optics.

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.

● Lead UX strategy across web and mobile platforms, that has delivered ≈$56M in incremental value ● Introduced and scaled design systems, reducing launch timelines by 80% and accelerating onboarding of acquired brands ● Increased conversion rates by 41% through targeted UX improvements and iterative testing Built and mentored a high-performing product design team

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.

● Lead UX strategy across web and mobile platforms, that has delivered ≈$56M in incremental value ● Introduced and scaled design systems, reducing launch timelines by 80% and accelerating onboarding of acquired brands ● Increased conversion rates by 41% through targeted UX improvements and iterative testing Built and mentored a high-performing product design team

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.

● Lead UX strategy across web and mobile platforms, that has delivered ≈$56M in incremental value ● Introduced and scaled design systems, reducing launch timelines by 80% and accelerating onboarding of acquired brands ● Increased conversion rates by 41% through targeted UX improvements and iterative testing Built and mentored a high-performing product design team

Head of Product Design

Shepherd Veterinary Software | Acquired by Synergy Pet Group

March 2019 - June 2022

After Shepherd was acquired by Synergy Pet Group, I led the product design transition into a larger enterprise. My focus was on scaling design operations without losing the customer-first approach that made Shepherd successful, while partnering across teams to expand features and support nationwide adoption.

● Led product design integration post-acquisition, aligning startup innovation with larger company processes. ● Built design operations to support enterprise growth, improving delivery speed while keeping the customer experience central. ● Collaborated with leaders across functions to deliver new product capabilities, supporting rapid expansion into clinics nationwide.

Head of Product Design

Shepherd Veterinary Software | Acquired by Synergy Pet Group

Head of Product Design

Shepherd Veterinary Software | Acquired by Synergy Pet Group

March 2019 - June 2022

After Shepherd was acquired by Synergy Pet Group, I led the product design transition into a larger enterprise. My focus was on scaling design operations without losing the customer-first approach that made Shepherd successful, while partnering across teams to expand features and support nationwide adoption.

● Led product design integration post-acquisition, aligning startup innovation with larger company processes. ● Built design operations to support enterprise growth, improving delivery speed while keeping the customer experience central. ● Collaborated with leaders across functions to deliver new product capabilities, supporting rapid expansion into clinics nationwide.

Co-Founder

Shepherd Veterinary Software | B2B software streamlining operations for veterinary practices

January 2016 - March 2019

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 SaaS platform from 0–1 for veterinary practices, covering medical records, scheduling, billing, and workflow optimization. ● Scaled Shepherd from MVP to nationwide adoption, culminating in its acquisition by Synergy Pet Group in 2019. ● Created tools that simplified complex veterinary workflows, making daily tasks faster and easier for staff ● Led a cross-functional team, collaborating with engineering 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 - March 2019

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 SaaS platform from 0–1 for veterinary practices, covering medical records, scheduling, billing, and workflow optimization. ● Scaled Shepherd from MVP to nationwide adoption, culminating in its acquisition by Synergy Pet Group in 2019. ● Created tools that simplified complex veterinary workflows, making daily tasks faster and easier for staff ● Led a cross-functional team, collaborating with engineering 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 built UI templates and platform features using HTML, CSS, and Rails. ● Ran UX research to guide design decisions and improve usability. ● Supported brand consistency through marketing and product design.

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 built UI templates and platform features using HTML, CSS, and Rails. ● Ran UX research to guide design decisions and improve usability. ● Supported brand consistency through marketing and product design.

Freelance Designer

Clients included Microsoft, Oakley, Hurley, Gravity Payments, and others

2010 - 2019

● Designed branding, web, motion, and product experiences across apparel, tech, and financial services. ● Partnered directly with clients from concept through delivery, balancing creative direction with business goals.

Freelance Designer

Clients included Microsoft, Oakley, Hurley, Gravity Payments, and others

Freelance Designer

Clients included Microsoft, Oakley, Hurley, Gravity Payments, and others

2010 - 2019

● Designed branding, web, motion, and product experiences across apparel, tech, and financial services. ● Partnered directly with clients from concept through delivery, balancing creative direction with business goals.

Earlier Experience

Graphic Designer, Hurley | 2010 – 2011 | Designed seasonal apparel lines and graphics. Design Internships, Nike, Hurley | 2014 – 2016 | Branding and digital/UI projects while completing degree.

Earlier Experience

Earlier Experience

Graphic Designer, Hurley | 2010 – 2011 | Designed seasonal apparel lines and graphics. Design Internships, Nike, Hurley | 2014 – 2016 | Branding and digital/UI projects while completing degree.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree - Graphic Design and Digital Media - 2016

Bachelor’s Degree - Graphic Design and Digital Media - 2016

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