Hi, I’m Joyce Shulman
CX Strategist | Business, Design, and Technology
Driven by a deep commitment to advancing health, wellness, and whole-person care within mission-driven and values-aligned organizations.
I specialize in managing teams to turn ambiguity into aligned action, shaping bold visions, and then translating them into scalable, operational solutions.
As a 0-1 builder, I’ve seen how combining strategic framing, deep customer insights, and rapid experimentation supports business goals by derisking assumptions and accelerating the development of viable products, programs, and experiences.
My work centers on one core belief: relationships are a source of strategic power. From building innovation ecosystems to developing high-impact partnerships, I identify and operationalize the connection points that fuel success.
Committed to the craft of strategy and design, I am an adjunct professor teaching strategic management in the Design MBA program at California College of the Arts. Additionally, I serve on the board of SFMade, which supports the local Bay Area manufacturing ecosystem, and collaborate with Five Ton Crane, an Oakland-based artist collective, to create public art.
Personal highlights include being a two-time Ironman at Lake Placid and Lake Tahoe, as well as multiple years of competing in the North Face 50K ultra-endurance trail marathon and finisher of the AIDS/Lifecycle ride from SF-LA.
I hold a Design MBA from California College of the Arts.
Fractional Services
Strategy & venture program design
When you're shaping something new, I help you define strategy, align your team, and build the roadmap that gets you moving faster and smarter.
You might need this if:
You're exploring a new market, offering, or audience
You need a clear path from concept to pilot or MVP
You’re stuck at a decision point and need structured clarity
Market research & insight activation
When you need clarity about what your customers truly need, I uncover the insights that help you prioritize, position, and de-risk.
You might need this if:
You’re making assumptions without enough evidence
You need to de-risk investment in a product or service
You’re unclear about what your customers value, or where the gaps are
Innovation workshops & capabilities building
When it's time to align, converge, or co-create, I lead sessions that move your team from ambiguity to action, with clarity, creativity, and momentum. When you need to advance the practice of human-centered design across your organization, I can help grow the capabilities inside your team.
You might need this if:
You’re bringing together diverse stakeholders and need a session that drives alignment, sparks ideas, and ends with clear next steps
Your organization is stuck at the strategy-definition stage, full of ideas but unclear on direction, priorities, or a path forward
Your team is navigating ambiguity and needs facilitation that balances creativity with action
You want to build internal capability in human-centered design and need a partner who can mentor, model, and scale the practice
Customer experience validation & implementation
When you're ready to unlock growth by understanding the moments that matter, I craft seamless experiences that connect strategy, technology, and collaboration, delivering value across every touchpoint.
You might need this if:
You have a bold idea or strategic direction, but need help translating it into a concrete plan with defined outcomes
You’re navigating complexity, cross-functional teams, or competing priorities, and need someone who can drive clarity and momentum
You’ve invested in research, visioning, or roadmaps, but need an experienced partner to lead the implementation and make it real