RESUME
Alejandra Trejo
UX Researcher & Product Design | Ethnographic Research, Human-Centered Design & Turning Insights into Meaningful Experiences
🚀 Superpowers
Human-Centered Design & UX Research
Workshop Facilitation & Educational Programs
Visual Storytelling & Audiovisual Production
Project Management & Strategic Communication
Community & Cultural Engagement
Innovation in Wellness & Compassion Training
🌐 Industries in which I have worked with
🍽 Food & Beverage
📚 Education
🧠 Mental Health & Wellness
🏛 Government & Public Programs
🌿 Indigenous & Local Communities
⛩️ Cultural Heritage & Arts
💡 Human-Centered Design & Social Innovation
Professional Summary
Industrial Designer turned UX Researcher with 15+ years of experience blending human-centered design, UX research, and social innovation. Skilled at transforming user needs into tangible solutions, integrating wellness, community, and cultural heritage into design strategies.
Experienced in education, facilitation, visual storytelling, and project management across multidisciplinary and cross-cultural environments. Passionate about uncovering the “why” 🧠 behind human behavior to craft inclusive, meaningful digital experiences. My work bridges research, design, and social impact, turning insights from ethnographic fieldwork, user interviews, and participatory workshops into actionable, user-centered solutions.
🎯 Experience
Mercado Alternativo – Product Designer | UX Design
Jun 2025 – Sep 2025 · Mexico City, Mexico / Remote · 4 months
At Mercado Alternativo, the mobile app’s checkout process was confusing and inefficient. I redesigned the user experience to make it more accessible and intuitive. I conducted user research, created interactive prototypes, and iterated the designs based on usability testing feedback. The result was a streamlined checkout flow that improved usability, increased user satisfaction, and boosted conversion rates by 34%.
Skills & Tools: User Research · UX Design · Interaction Design · Prototyping · Usability Testing · Figma · Miro · User-Centered Design
Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics, Emory University – CBCT® Instructor & UX Researcher | Workshop Design, Localization & Facilitation
Jun 2024 – Aug 2025 · Remote & Mexico City, Mexico
At Emory University’s Center for Contemplative Science and Compassion-Based Ethics, I led both the research and facilitation aspects of the CBCT® (Cognitively-Based Compassion Training) program. I conducted UX research and cultural adaptation of the protocol for Latin American audiences—interviewing users, analyzing qualitative data, and localizing key materials to ensure cultural clarity and resonance. Later, as a CBCT® Instructor Apprentice, I designed and facilitated eight in-person experiential workshops for 30+ participants, integrating neuroaesthetic tools to enhance emotional engagement and real-world application of compassion practices.
Skills & Tools: UX Research · Localization · Workshop Facilitation · Experiential Design · Neuroaesthetics · Program Development · Qualitative Research · Technical Translation (EN–ES)
ELEVATE Group – UX Researcher & Growth Strategist
Nov 2024 – Apr 2025 · Mexico City, Mexico / Remote
At ELEVATE, I led end-to-end growth research strategy, translating behavioral insights into data-driven frameworks that increased engagement by 40% and lead conversion by 30%. I co-created with CEO and marketing leadership a systematic evaluation framework for identifying high-impact content creators, which was officially adopted as organizational playbook. Executed 270 structured prospections designing 4 A/B messaging experiments that doubled engagement rates. Mapped multi-channel user journey (Instagram→WhatsApp→Email→Call) identifying friction points and optimization strategies that reduced drop-off significantly. Generated consistent pipeline of 3 qualified leads weekly through personalized outreach based on behavioral pattern analysis, creating detailed prospect briefs that enabled sales team to achieve 25% conversion rate (vs. 5-10% industry standard). Documented complete methodology in Loom videos for scalable team onboarding and presented strategic insights to leadership monthly.
Skills & Tools: UX Research · Growth Strategy · A/B Testing · Data Analysis · User Personas · Market Research · Journey Mapping · Multi-channel Optimization · Apollo.io
Cooperación Comunitaria A.C. – Ethnographic Researcher, Community & Visual Strategist
Jun 2017 – Aug 2018 · Mexico City, Mexico
At Cooperación Comunitaria A.C., I led ethnographic and participatory research in Hñähñu communities, conducting 40+ interviews and co-design workshops with over 60 artisan families to co-create sustainable development strategies. The initiatives improved commercial efficiency by 20%, produced 30+ educational materials reaching 6,000+ people, and organized fair-trade markets that directly connected producers with conscious consumers. Later, as Visual & Communication Strategist, I designed culturally relevant communication campaigns for post-earthquake reconstruction, producing graphic and audiovisual materials that translated complex methodologies into accessible narratives. My storytelling approach, which celebrated traditional knowledge and community resilience, was recognized as a finalist in Prácticas Inspiradoras 2018.
Skills & Tools: Ethnographic Research · Co-design Workshops · Visual Design · Storytelling · Qualitative Analysis · Community Engagement · Journey Mapping · Cross-cultural Design
Feel free to check my LinkedIn profile for more details on my experience and projects.
🎓 Education
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Product Design – Sep 2004 – Sep 2009
Foundation in user-centered philosophy, translating needs into functional solutions
Methodologies mastered:
🔍 User-Centric Research & Analysis
🛠 Prototyping & Iteration (CAD & physical prototypes)
♿ Accessibility & Functionality
📊 Project Management
🤝 Cross-Functional Collaboration
💡 Human-Centered Design & Social Innovation
Universidad Nacional de Córdoba
Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Creative Cities and Enterprises – Sep 2013 – Nov 2014
Training in Orange Economy and Cultural Management
Key Learnings:
💡Design Thinking & Project Management for social and cultural impact
🌐 Systems Thinking for creative ecosystems
🏘 Community-Centered Design
📊 Project Management
🤝 Cross-Functional Collaboration
📢 Strategic Communication
🌿 Extra Curricular Activities
Buddhist Philosophy & Contemplative Science
Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, India | 2019–2023
Comprehensive studies in Buddhist philosophy, psychology, and ethics within the Tibetan tradition.
Studies in Contemplative Science | 2024–Present
Ongoing exploration of cognitive science and compassion-based methodologies bridging contemplative practice and modern research.
🫶 Volunteer Experience
Workshop Facilitator & Support for Women in Shelter Contexts
EDDEMAC Foundation | Feb 2025 – Present
Facilitate compassion-based workshops for women in shelter settings, fostering emotional resilience, self-awareness, and a sense of community support.
Courses & 🛠 Tools
Courses:
🔍 Google UX Design Professional Certificate (Google, Coursera)
🧘 Compassion-Based Meditation Facilitation (CBCT®)
Tools:
UX / UI Design & Prototyping
Figma
Sketch
Whimsical
Collaboration & Project Management
Miro
Notion
Trello
Slack
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)
Graphic Design & Multimedia / Video Editing
Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Final Cut Pro
Canva
CAD software (AutoCAD, RhinoCeros)
🌎 Languages
Spanish – Native
English – Professional Proficiency
Learning Portuguese