A little bit about me
Visual storyteller, design strategist, workshopping enthusiast, and lover of doodles!
My name is Mikaela (I go by “Khela”). By day, I’m the Design Lead for the Enterprise Innovation Team at CIBC. I bring delightful experiences to life by:
- Visualizing the art of the possible by leveraging human-centered design and research to craft high-fidelity UX/UI prototypes, and breathing life into north star visions.
- Facilitating collaborative workshopping spaces that insight meaningful conversations, while tapping into each participant’s creative confidence.
My co-creative design approach has allowed me to thrive in nebulous spaces. Bringing value within the finance, banking and fintech space.
By night, I am the illustrator, maker, and operator of my little art shop Khelamansi. Where I offer whimsical lettering art illustrations, and hand-made home decor. I partner with small businesses to create logos, visual branding, and facilitating community workshops targeted towards the Filipino community.
If you’re wondering how I manage to sleep between my passions, I’m also wondering along with you! Good thing one of my hobbies is coffee science, and the art of being constantly caffeinated ☕😅.
Experience
Nov 2022 to today - Design Lead with Enterprise Innovation @ CIBC
I joined Enterprise Innovation’s leadership team as Principal Design Lead, moving cross functionally within the team for all sorts of projects. From enterprise wide campaigns, POCs, shaping the future of design talent within our team, and of course, supporting design sprints! I was recognized for my story and growth, and was selected to be the ambassador for young talent at CIBC. You can read my Globe and Mail feature here, and my feature video here.
2021 - Senior Designer with Enterprise Innovation @ CIBC
As the team grew, so did my role, and our design practice! I was itching to do more leadership and mentorship as more designers and UX researchers joined our team.
2020 - UX/UI Designer with Enterprise Innovation @ CIBC
Pandemic hit right after my bootcamp (womp womp 😔), but that didn’t stop me from continually growing my skills with Enterprise Innovation. Focused on transforming our in-person design thinking workshops into a virtual format. Co-led on sprints, developed design strategy, designed prototypes, and conducted UX research for projects.
2020 - Completed UX Bootcamp at Brainstation
Self-teaching was fun and all, but I felt like I needed a more academic medium to help me on my budding UX career. Completed a 5-week course on the UX design process, and presented capstone project (Volunteer Connect) as part of the program.
2019 to 2020 - Design Strategy (turned UX/UI designer) co-op with Enterprise Innovation @ CIBC
Found myself thrown into the world of Design Thinking, design sprints, and eventually UX/UI. Found the unique opportunity to carve out a UX/UI Designer role within the team. With the support of my leaders, self-studied UX theory, and identified opportunities to apply it in on-going projects.
2019 - Graduated from York University
Ending a winding (yet exciting) journey towards completing my Bachelor of Commerce degree. From switching out of engineering, falling in love with my internship at the bank, starting my freelance illustration business, switching degrees, and then working at a global health research institute. I found that I was itching to continue towards a more creative line of work.
Commmunity Workshop
2022 - CIBC Asian Employee Network
Talk: Overcoming Generational Barriers
Keynote speaker for CIBC’s Asian Employee Network Lunar New Year event. Speaking to the intersection of generational expectations placed upon Asian youth and how it affects one’s pursuit towards a creative career.
2021 - Pinay Collection x Khelamansi
Workshop: Pasko (Christmas) Doodle Art
Community workshop that focused on reconnecting to one’s Filipino roots through DIY Christmas illustrations and greeting cards. The session also fundraised funds for Lingap Gabriela advocacy group.
2021 - Next Gen Men
Workshop: Defining Next Gen Men's 2022 Strategy
Co-led and facilitated a workshopping session that aimed to define Next Gen Men’s engagement strategy for 2022.
2021 - Pinay Collection x Khelamansi
Workshop: Creative Journaling
Community workshop introducing journaling as a mindfulness practice and creative outlet. This workshop session was also used to help raise money for theFilipino Youth Fellowship.
2022 - CIBC Asian Employee Network
Talk: Overcoming Generational Barriers
Keynote speaker for CIBC’s Asian Employee Network Lunar New Year event. Speaking to the intersection of generational expectations placed upon Asian youth and how it affects one’s pursuit towards a creative career.
2021 - Pinay Collection x Khelamansi
Workshop: Pasko (Christmas) Doodle Art
Community workshop that focused on reconnecting to one’s Filipino roots through DIY Christmas illustrations and greeting cards. The session also fundraised funds for Lingap Gabriela advocacy group.
2021 - Next Gen Men
Workshop: Defining Next Gen Men's 2022 Strategy
Co-led and facilitated a workshopping session that aimed to define Next Gen Men’s engagement strategy for 2022.
2021 - Pinay Collection x Khelamansi
Workshop: Creative Journaling
Community workshop introducing journaling as a mindfulness practice and creative outlet. This workshop session was also used to help raise money for the $Filipino Youth Fellowship.