Christy Ennis-Kloote

Experience Designer & Design Leader

20+ Years in Design
Grand Rapids, MI • enniskloote.com • linkedin.com/in/enniskloote

Natural optimist driven to find solutions to any design challenge, particularly those that traverse complex systems, together in a cross-functional team. I have built multiple teams that have delivered multi-modal product experiences in consumer, B2B, medical, and automotive markets. My background in Industrial Design drives me to understand and seek out users' unmet needs and address them in execution. As a lifetime consultant and community builder, I am motivated to learn constantly — enabling a larger impact on approach and more meaningful outcomes.

Experience
Apr 2025 – Present
Chief Design Officer
Augusto Digital — Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Leading digital experience strategy; grew overall company book of business by 50% by attracting top talent and expanding offerings.
  • Designing innovative offerings valued by clients and integrating AI and Agentic Automation into workflows for enhanced efficiency.
  • Collaborating with build teams to deliver delightful and practical products, driving company success.
May 2023 – Present
Peer Advisor
Latticework Consulting — Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Coach and consult with leaders on removing barriers for designers to do their best work.
  • Services extend from building in-house UX teams and capabilities to organizational advocacy.
  • Get teams unstuck typically in the first week with tangible results in the first 30 days.
  • Establish a trusting relationship with each client by maintaining professionalism and honoring confidentiality.
Aug 2022 – Apr 2025
Experience Design Services Director
Augusto Digital — Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Led and grew the Experience Design, Product Services, and Growth Marketing teams to the top-performing service line with best-in-class margins of 40–50%.
  • Developed strategies to enhance service delivery, customer satisfaction, and profit margin goals.
  • Collaborated with other departments to align on strategic initiatives; drove growth through innovative marketing and product strategies.
  • Worked closely with the sales team on effective pre-sales; engaged as an integral part of the Augusto leadership team implementing EOS.
Mar 2022 – Jan 2024
Managing Director of Experience Design
Argenta Park — Kalamazoo, Michigan
  • Applied experience to build and manage a healthy team focused on uniquely creative product experience concepts for clients.
  • Managed all aspects of design operations including development, methods, tools, and budget.
  • Worked in partnership to set and implement strategic direction, creating healthier profitability for 14+ members without impeding creativity.
Jul 2018 – Mar 2022
Principal, Design Practice Manager
Open Systems Technologies, Inc. — Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Led and managed the Professional Services Design Practice — up to 25+ team members across three geographies plus an extended remote team.
  • Responsible for achieving practice goals including sales, GM%, and utilization.
  • Owned thought leadership, market pricing, and delivery strategy across OST's multidisciplinary teams while ensuring culture and business goals were aligned.
  • Maintained focus on team growth and development to ensure constant evolution for the changing consulting market.
Nov 2017 – Jul 2018
Principal, Director of Product Design
Open Systems Technologies, Inc. — Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Through the acquisition of Visualhero and formation of Open Digital, developed frameworks to guide entire user experiences and led innovative projects identifying new value opportunities.
  • Collaborated with product owners and stakeholders to understand problems and offer balanced solutions; managed budgets ranging from $15k to $500k.
  • Mentored contributors and leaders to develop new practices and thought leadership; focus on Connected Solutions and Product Design.
Feb 2013 – Dec 2017
Director of Experience Design
Visualhero Design Company (Acquired by OST) — Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Worked closely with clients large and small to discover opportunities and create meaningful, engaging experiences for end users and product owners.
  • Developed new patterns and practices, enhancing methodological toolkit.
  • Led delivery of shipped products across embedded systems, web apps, mobile, and connected solutions ranging from 3 weeks to 3 years.
2006 – 2013 · Earlier Roles
Lead UX Designer, Visual Designer & Graphic Design Lead
Visualhero / Universal Mind / Tiger Studio — Grand Rapids & West Michigan

Progressed from graphic and UI design into UX leadership — shipping mobile and web products for multinational clients, building studio operations, and establishing early design practice foundations.

2015 – 2019 · Teaching & Community
Adjunct Instructor · Organizing Chair · Manuscript Reviewer
Kendall College of Art & Design · MidwestUX · O'Reilly Media
  • Adjunct Instructor of New Media Design at Kendall College (2015).
  • 2019 Organizing Chair for MidwestUX conference — overseeing program curation, team building, and budget.
  • Technical Reviewer for O'Reilly Media (2015–2022) for 20+ manuscripts including Articulating Design Decisions and Product Leadership.