About me

I’m Madalena Costa (Maddie), a Lead Product Designer with over a decade of experience in AI-driven UX, design systems, marketing and communication and cross-functional collaboration. I specialize in crafting intuitive, user-centered experiences while championing diversity in tech through mentorship, public speaking and community leadership. As a Google Women Techmakers Ambassador and Co-lead of Ladies That UX Lisbon, I drive conversations on AI in design, innovation and inclusivity to shape the future of tech.

Hi!

I’m passionate about designing not just products, but experiences that empower people, bridge technology and design and foster inclusivity in the tech industry.

Cross-functional expertise

With a deep understanding of design, business and technology, I thrive in cross-functional environments, collaborating with marketing, tech, sales, CRM and leadership teams to align goals and create impactful solutions. My ability to bridge communication gaps, streamline workflows, and integrate user-centered design with business strategy ensures the successful execution of complex projects across industries like Healthcare, Retail, SaaS, Education and Fintech.

Results

My experience spans working closely with marketing, tech, sales and leadership teams to align goals and drive impactful outcomes. These case studies illustrate how my ability to bridge cross-functional gaps has enabled the successful execution of complex projects and fostered a culture of teamwork and innovation.

Worked closely with diverse teams to align design goals with business objectives:

  • Worked closely with Marketing, Tech, Sales, CRM, Leadership and more to align design goals with business objectives.

  • Contributed to projects across Healthcare, Retail, SaaS, Education, Fintech and other sectors.

    • Used Figma, Miro, Jira, Slack and Notion to bridge communication gaps between teams.

    • Led design sprints and cross-functional workshops to align goals.

    • Design thinking.

    • Challenge: Misalignment between design and development priorities.

    • Solution: Implemented a design system that standardized UI components and improved efficiency.

  • Improved conversion rates, user engagement and streamlined development through cross-functional alignment.

I thrive in cross-functional environments, using a mix of data-driven decision-making, design thinking, and AI-powered solutions to create intuitive and scalable products.

Career highlights

  • Built a design system now used in 90%+ of new developments, streamlining workflows, saving time and ensuring design consistency.

  • Designed 50+ complex user flows, delivering high-quality, user-centric solutions that enhance product experiences.

  • Mentored 20+ junior designers, helping them advance their careers and improve collaboration with stakeholders.

  • Co-led a 600+ member UX community, organizing 40+ events to foster inclusivity, innovation, and professional growth.

  • As a Google Women Techmakers Ambassador, I will bring AI knowledge to Portugal in 2025, advocating for AI-driven design.

  • Hosted and spoken at events with 100+ and 10,000+ attendees, sharing insights on AI in design, UX strategies, and innovation.

Menu

Social media

Get in touch!

Write about a project, a collaboration or just to say hi!