Denise Hardman

Denise is a Distinguished Product Designer at DICK’S Sporting Goods, where she oversees design operations in support of the enterprise operating model enabled through Technology. She has worked as a design generalist, but her passion areas include research discovery and community building. Denise has served as an Adjunct Instructor with CMU for MHCI Capstone, Service Design, and now BHCI Capstone! You’ll find her active within the Pittsburgh UX Design community – she started Steel City UX Ladies in 2020, which hosts monthly activities for UXers to come together to support and learn from one another.

Her academic journey is somewhat wiggly – Denise earned her BA in Geology from the College of Wooster. As a post-undergraduate, she joined the Peace Corps and worked in Agroforestry Extension in Senegal, West Africa. Upon returning home, Denise worked as a Geologist before deciding on a career change, where she earned her MS in Web Design & Development from Duquesne University. An internship with ModCloth resulted in her passion for working in Retail UX.

On a personal note, Denise loves all things fiber art – she is often crafting a new project that may involve weaving, needle felting, crocheting, or embroidery! She’s also a cat lady, spending time with her two fuzzballs Murph and Freya.