LORIE WHITAKER
  • Home
  • Research Strategy
  • Team Enablement
  • Research Execution
  • Selected Projects
  • About
  • Home
  • Research Strategy
  • Team Enablement
  • Research Execution
  • Selected Projects
  • About
LORIE WHITAKER

Team Enablement & Mentorship

Building confident, research-literate teams
Effective research culture isn’t built by a single expert. It’s created when everyone feels ownership of the user’s perspective.
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I design and coach systems that make research accessible, repeatable, and valued across the organization.

At Glassnode and Rackspace, I partnered with UX and Product leaders to create clarity around workflows, expectations, and growth paths. Through structured 1:1 mentorship, documented frameworks, and transparent communication, I’ve helped distributed teams collaborate with more trust and speed.

Highlights
  • Built the UX Research function from the ground up at Glassnode, including training PMs and designers to conduct studies independently.
  • Improved Agile collaboration at Rackspace by refining sprint intake and cross-functional workflow.
  • Created growth frameworks and peer-learning sessions that increased team satisfaction and retention.

How I Work
  • Define role clarity and research ownership early.
  • Create lightweight processes that support autonomy without friction.
  • Encourage psychological safety — where questions, data, and dissent are welcomed as part of learning.

When I needed a trusted partner to help lead our global research team and practice at Rackspace Technology, she was who I turned to. She led and sharpened our Agile practice and team workflow. She also developed strong relationships and communications with stakeholders across the business.  
​- Rackspace UX Research Leader