In this episode, we sit down with UX Researcher Taylor Bras and Senior Enterprise Resource Planning Analyst Lindsey Ocampo from Salt River Project (SRP), Arizona’s electric power and water utility company. Together, they unpack the critical skills needed to succeed in a modern UX career. Taylor shares her firsthand experience transitioning from Arizona State University's formal UX program into the business world, while Lindsey provides expert strategies for evangelizing UX and building influential relationships with stakeholders.

This interview is a must-watch for UX students, recent graduates, and any UX professional looking to increase their impact and influence within their organization.

Topics Covered:

Bridging UX and Business
Taylor's Journey: From Formal UX Education to a Professional Career
Overcoming the Challenges of Transitioning into the UX Industry
Lindsey's Experience: How to Champion UX and Win Over Stakeholders
The Real Challenges of Building Trust with Business Leaders
Practical Strategies for Translating UX Research into Business Value
How UX Researchers Can Build Credibility and Influence

Podcaster bio:

Taylor Brass

Taylor Brass is a UX Researcher at Salt River Project (SRP), a not-for-profit water and power utility serving central Arizona. In her current role, she conducts mixed-methods research to improve customer-facing digital products, helping residents easily pay their energy bills and discover energy efficiency programs.

Taylor holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in User Experience from Arizona State University, where she studied everything from interaction design and front-end development to human systems engineering and UX strategy. Before joining SRP, she worked as a UX designer across several industries, including healthcare, tech, and sustainability. LinkedIn

Lindsay Ocampo

Lindsay Ocampo is a Senior ERP Analyst at Salt River Project (SRP) with over 14 years at the company, including nine years as a UX researcher. With a background in business management and an MBA, Lindsay learned about UX through on-the-job learning and mentorship. Her work has helped bring user-centered design to the forefront of SRP’s digital strategy, proving that impactful UX can thrive in any industry. LinkedIn

Bringing UX Education & Stakeholder Relationships