Queer Artist

About

Hi I’m Katy! 👋

I'm a queer, Lebanese American artist and teacher living in Chicago, IL. I advocate for mental health and queer inclusion, online and off.

For the last 10 years, I was a prominent design leader for web and mobile products, excelling in visual design, strategy and team engagement. In 2023, I stepped down and began teaching my first love: fine art.

I love empowering people to find their confidence, whether in design, work process or self improvement. I do that by sharing my corporate and hospitality background, process, great tunes, writing and arranging classes and workshops for all ages.

My last corporate gig was working at Etsy, designing their first-ever video innovation vertical for Sellers and Buyers. Before Etsy, I worked at Grubhub, then with digital design clients at FCB Chicago, where I perfected my design documentation, storytelling and presentation crafts. And before all that, I spent a few years with Chicago startups - Spothero, Impact Networking and Acapella Media - designing and strategizing their web and mobile apps.

I look forward to pushing the boundaries of social norms, especially racial and gender equality. By creating safe spaces for all to flourish, creativity and confidence will follow.

What I can do:

  • Visual Design, Art Direction, UX Research, Wireframing, Interaction Design, Presentations, Social Media Graphics, Brand Identity

  • Product Strategy, Information Architecture, Documentation (off and online)

  • Workshop Creation, Lesson Plan and Agenda Curation, Team Facilitation

Industries I’ve worked in:
Hospitality, Education, After School Enrichment, Food Service, E-Commerce, Marketplace Tech, Financial Tech, Advertising and Tech Agencies

Proud Moments:
Co-Lead, Western Springs First Pride Walk, 2025
In collaboration with Acceptance for All, I helped plan Western Springs, IL first ever Pride Walk and Pride Picnic. We had 30-40 local neighbors and families show up!

Co-Lead, Etsy’s Mental Health ERG, 2023
Joined group of 6 co-leads planning and facilitating the 2023 season of Mental Health group events.

Manager, Etsy’s Product Design Dept, 2021-2023
Curator and host of monthly Mental Health workshops for Product Designers, including hosting the 2022 Etsy by Design Summit.

Panelist, Queer@ Etsy Fireside Chat, 2022
Virtually, I joined 3 other Queer Etsy coworkers during a monthly chat to discuss our queer experiences in life and at tech companies.

Panelist, LesbiansWhoTech Pride Summit, 2021
Virtually, I joined 4 other Grubhub coworkers to promote recruitment and discuss how Product/Tech departments are evolving DEI.

#IAmRemarkable Facilitator, 2019-Present
Trained Facilitator for Google’s workshop; virtually and in-person for groups of 5 to 25 people.

Grubtank Finalist, 2018
Grubtank, similar to Shark Tank, is an annual contest Grubhub holds for employees. I led my group in ideation and presentation reviews, then presented solo in front of company (3,000+ in person and online.)

American Web Design Award, 2016
My design was awarded the 2016 American Web Design Award from GD USA Magazine for the Impact Corporate Website.