I turn complex problems into simple, approachable products. Sometimes that means leading user research and prototyping interfaces; other times it means managing roadmaps, aligning teams, or shaping business models. My strength is in connecting design, management, and execution.
gpederse@chicagobooth.edu
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(770) 330-0424
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Experience
Co-Founder - Product Designer (Technical)
Numena ↗
August 2025 – Present
Chicago, IL
Numena is an on-chain equity and banking platform. I co-founded the company and designed the product while building the front-end in React.
Co-Founder
CURA ↗
August 2024 – August 2025
Remote & Kunshan, Jiangsu, CN
Cura is a healthtech venture focused on cancer prevention and early detection. I designed the interface for an AI-powered health tracking app and led research with 100+ participants to refine workflows.
Freelance Digital Consultant
China Wine LLC ↗
February 2025 - May 2025
New York, NY
China Wine Club is a wine selector and buyer, bringing the wildest, brightest, and best of modern Chinese winemaking to the US.
UI/UX Digital Consultant
SOCIAL SUPPLY Shanghai ↗
February 2025 - May 2025
Shanghai, CN
At Social Supply, I designed and developed the UX/UI for the agency’s flagship site, which showcased clients such as Nike and Lululemon. My work included implementing SEO optimizations to meet growth targets and launching the KPI-driven Social Wire blog with a streamlined content workflow that improved both usability and efficiency.
Research & QA Intern
PLAY ↗
June 2024 - July 2024
New York, NY
At Play, a design-tools startup, I worked on interaction testing and prototyping support. I mapped user flows, identified a critical pre-launch bug, and created a reusable system for documenting usability issues — helping designers and engineers iterate faster.
Tech & Data Intern
Valcon ↗
May 2022 - August 2022
Copenhagen, DK
I supported consultants at Valcon with data visualization and analysis, building client-facing dashboards in PowerBI. This work required both analytical thinking and design sensitivity to communicate complex data in clear, actionable ways.
Skills
Management & Strategy
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Stakeholder Communication & Risk Mitigation
- Product Roadmapping & Go-to-Market Planning
- Metrics & KPI Tracking
- Design Sprint Facilitation
Technical & Analytical
- HTML / CSS (front-end fluency)
- Python & Advanced Excel
- Tableau & PowerBI
- CMS, CRM, and Analytics Integration
- QA Testing & Interaction Mapping
Design
- Interaction & Visual Design (Figma, Adobe XD, Canva)
- Prototyping & Wireframing
- User Research (qualitative & quantitative methods)
- Usability Testing & Iterative Design
- Data Visualization & Information Aesthetics
Education
University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
Master in Management
August 2025 - June 2026
Duke University & Duke Kunshan University
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computation and DesignBachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
August 2021 - May 2025
- Dual-degree program; Merit Scholar ($160K) with Graduation with Distinction.
- Signature Work: Cancerliteracy.com, an interactive platform developed using Health Design Thinking and the CHLT-30 assessment, delivering personalized cancer literacy insights.
- Relevant Coursework: Data Visualization, Interaction & Physical Computing, Digital Design, Marketing & Persuasion, Modeling & Predicting.
Recommendations:
“Grant has been instrumental in redefining OGE’s online presence. With almost complete creative freedom, he conceptualized, designed, and implemented a new website for the office, handling every step—from the conceptualization, design, coding and structural design to coordinating with our University IT team to create subdomains.”
Dean of Student Affairs, Duke Kunshan University
Hobbies
- Cooking
- Baking
- Traveling