Denise Pilar

Strategy and Decision Intelligence leader with 15+ years of experience structuring ambiguous problems, driving high-stakes decisions, and delivering data-driven recommendations in complex environments including fintech, AI platforms, and enterprise systems. Expert in translating messy, real-world inputs into structured analytical frameworks, synthesizing insights, and influencing executive stakeholders. Proven ability to design end-to-end problem-solving approaches similar to consulting engagements, from problem definition to recommendation delivery.

Experience operating in fast-paced, high-ambiguity environments with strong emphasis on rigor, clarity, and decision quality.

UX Research and Product Strategy Lead, AI and Emerging Tech at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (2022-2025)

• Led 80+ strategic initiatives by structuring ambiguous product and business problems into clear analytical workstreams and execution plans
• Designed end-to-end decision frameworks incorporating user behavior, market signals, and product constraints to guide strategic direction
• Synthesized complex, multi-source inputs into clear, actionable recommendations for leadership and cross-functional teams
• Developed scalable methodologies for evaluating product opportunities, improving consistency and rigor in decision-making
• Mentored teams in structured thinking and problem decomposition, increasing analytical quality and execution speed

Staff UX Researcher and Research Strategist at Nubank (2021 – 2022)

• Led strategic problem-solving initiatives within a global fintech platform serving millions of users
• Built behavioral segmentation and analytical models to inform product, growth, and customer experience strategies
• Translated ambiguous business challenges into structured research and analysis plans aligned with measurable KPIs
• Delivered executive-ready insights and recommendations influencing roadmap prioritization and investment decisions
• Partnered with product, data, and design teams to evaluate trade-offs and define strategic direction under uncertainty

Senior UX Researcher and UX and Product Design Lead at SAP (2007 – 2021)

• Led large-scale strategic initiatives across enterprise product ecosystems, structuring complex challenges into actionable programs
• Designed and implemented a multi-year UX maturity transformation, aligning stakeholders and driving organization-wide change
• Built analytical narratives and frameworks to support executive decision-making across multiple business units
• Identified systemic inefficiencies and developed structured solutions to improve product performance and user outcomes
• Mentored 50+ professionals, strengthening organizational capability in structured analysis and decision-making

PhD in Cognitive Psychology – PUCRS / KU Leuven

MSc in Computer Science – Université Catholique de Louvain

MBA in Leadership and Positive Psychology – PUCRS

BSc in Computer Science – Universidade de Passo Fundo