
Aaron Irizarry
Aaron Irizarry is the SVP of Design for Retail Lending at PNC Bank. He’s all about leading teams to create scalable design strategies for PNC’s Retail Lending products and services. You might also know him as the co-author of “Discussing Design: Improving Communication and Collaboration Through Critique.”
When he’s not busy guiding teams and mentoring designers, Aaron loves spending time with his wife and two daughters. He’s also passionate about sharing experiences through food, cheering on the LA Dodgers, and getting his hands dirty in his garden.
Presentations
Leadership By Design 2025
Intentional Leadership
The world of design and the contexts in which it operates are constantly evolving, making it increasingly clear that our approach to leadership must be adaptive. What does this mean for us, whether we lead large departments or small project teams? And how can we effectively guide teams in progressive organizations undergoing rapid digital transformation, or conversely, in those that are slower to adapt?
By focusing on developing specific skills, disciplines, and characteristics within ourselves, we can better prepare for the challenges of leading our teams and collaborating with partners. This approach also positions us to be leaders who can coach, nurture, and elevate our teams, equipping them to excel in their work.
What You’ll Learn
In this presentation, Aaron will share practical insights, tools, and techniques gleaned from his successes and failures in growing leadership skills, overcoming challenges, and successfully developing teams.
Key Takeaways
- Gauging and improving your Emotional Quotient (EQ) as a leader.
- Understanding the crucial role of vulnerability and transparency in successful leadership.
- Developing adaptive communication and leadership styles to suit diverse team members and partners.
- Leading through enabling autonomy and empowering your team.
- Establishing personal norms for successful leadership.
UX Camp Fall 2020
Leading Successfully Through Leading Ourselves
How can we lead teams in progressive orgs going through digital transformation or orgs that are slower to adapt? By focusing on developing certain skills, disciplines and characteristics within ourselves as leaders, we can prepare ourselves for the challenges we face when leading our teams and working with our partners. By doing this we set ourselves up to be leaders who can coach, nurture and elevate our teams to be best equipped for the challenges they face as they execute on their work. In this session, Aaron Irizarry will share insights, tools and techniques (from personal success and failures) for growing your own leadership skills, overcoming leadership challenges, and successfully developing your teams.

















