Cathy Sigmond
Head Of Strategy at Kera Collective- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
-
French Full professional proficiency
-
English Native or bilingual proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Madhav Tankha
Cathy was a guest speaker for a graduate Usability Research class I teach at Pratt School of Information. Drawing from a depth of professional experience, she gave the students a wealth of practical insight that was immensely helpful to their work within the class and beyond, as they looked towards future careers in research and UX design. She covered a range of interesting topics such as: processes and tips for conducting analysis on a large scale, telling a story with your data and findings, and how to design and execute studies for narrative and experiential projects. The class discussion around these points was lively and engaged, and students later noted that they found the detail and systematic exploration of the topics very informative and helpful. We'd love to have her back again!
Ed Rodley
Cathy is the kind of person I dream of hiring, and one of the reasons I feel so conflicted about interns. Just when you get used to them quietly handling every manner of job you throw at them, they move on... Cathy had an enormous amount of responsibility for an intern, and she handled it all gracefully and quickly. She was able to get up to speed on a subject she knew nothing about, taught herself enough of the technical skills required to understand the job, and quickly proved herself able to operate alongside curators and volunteers alike. She was the point person for a large on-site event that required substantial preparation and consensus-building internally. In all those interactions, she was a valuable colleague and voice. She was able to juggle research, writing, correspondence, and event planning with similar ease. The event went off like a charm. Not surprisingly.
Madhav Tankha
Cathy was a guest speaker for a graduate Usability Research class I teach at Pratt School of Information. Drawing from a depth of professional experience, she gave the students a wealth of practical insight that was immensely helpful to their work within the class and beyond, as they looked towards future careers in research and UX design. She covered a range of interesting topics such as: processes and tips for conducting analysis on a large scale, telling a story with your data and findings, and how to design and execute studies for narrative and experiential projects. The class discussion around these points was lively and engaged, and students later noted that they found the detail and systematic exploration of the topics very informative and helpful. We'd love to have her back again!
Ed Rodley
Cathy is the kind of person I dream of hiring, and one of the reasons I feel so conflicted about interns. Just when you get used to them quietly handling every manner of job you throw at them, they move on... Cathy had an enormous amount of responsibility for an intern, and she handled it all gracefully and quickly. She was able to get up to speed on a subject she knew nothing about, taught herself enough of the technical skills required to understand the job, and quickly proved herself able to operate alongside curators and volunteers alike. She was the point person for a large on-site event that required substantial preparation and consensus-building internally. In all those interactions, she was a valuable colleague and voice. She was able to juggle research, writing, correspondence, and event planning with similar ease. The event went off like a charm. Not surprisingly.
Madhav Tankha
Cathy was a guest speaker for a graduate Usability Research class I teach at Pratt School of Information. Drawing from a depth of professional experience, she gave the students a wealth of practical insight that was immensely helpful to their work within the class and beyond, as they looked towards future careers in research and UX design. She covered a range of interesting topics such as: processes and tips for conducting analysis on a large scale, telling a story with your data and findings, and how to design and execute studies for narrative and experiential projects. The class discussion around these points was lively and engaged, and students later noted that they found the detail and systematic exploration of the topics very informative and helpful. We'd love to have her back again!
Ed Rodley
Cathy is the kind of person I dream of hiring, and one of the reasons I feel so conflicted about interns. Just when you get used to them quietly handling every manner of job you throw at them, they move on... Cathy had an enormous amount of responsibility for an intern, and she handled it all gracefully and quickly. She was able to get up to speed on a subject she knew nothing about, taught herself enough of the technical skills required to understand the job, and quickly proved herself able to operate alongside curators and volunteers alike. She was the point person for a large on-site event that required substantial preparation and consensus-building internally. In all those interactions, she was a valuable colleague and voice. She was able to juggle research, writing, correspondence, and event planning with similar ease. The event went off like a charm. Not surprisingly.
Madhav Tankha
Cathy was a guest speaker for a graduate Usability Research class I teach at Pratt School of Information. Drawing from a depth of professional experience, she gave the students a wealth of practical insight that was immensely helpful to their work within the class and beyond, as they looked towards future careers in research and UX design. She covered a range of interesting topics such as: processes and tips for conducting analysis on a large scale, telling a story with your data and findings, and how to design and execute studies for narrative and experiential projects. The class discussion around these points was lively and engaged, and students later noted that they found the detail and systematic exploration of the topics very informative and helpful. We'd love to have her back again!
Ed Rodley
Cathy is the kind of person I dream of hiring, and one of the reasons I feel so conflicted about interns. Just when you get used to them quietly handling every manner of job you throw at them, they move on... Cathy had an enormous amount of responsibility for an intern, and she handled it all gracefully and quickly. She was able to get up to speed on a subject she knew nothing about, taught herself enough of the technical skills required to understand the job, and quickly proved herself able to operate alongside curators and volunteers alike. She was the point person for a large on-site event that required substantial preparation and consensus-building internally. In all those interactions, she was a valuable colleague and voice. She was able to juggle research, writing, correspondence, and event planning with similar ease. The event went off like a charm. Not surprisingly.
Credentials
-
Fundamentals and Tools for Developing Infographics
American Evaluation AssociationJan, 2021- Nov, 2024 -
Protecting Human Research Participants
Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP) Online Training, Inc.Nov, 2020- Nov, 2024 -
Personas: Turning User Data into User-Centered Design
Nielsen Norman GroupJan, 2018- Nov, 2024 -
Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis
The Evaluators’ InstituteJan, 2015- Nov, 2024 -
Building Authentic Connections with Visitors through Design Thinking
MCN (Museum Computer Network)Jan, 2015- Nov, 2024 -
Protecting Human Research Participants
National Institutes of Health Office of Extramural Research
Experience
-
Kera Collective
-
United States
-
Museums
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Head Of Strategy
-
Mar 2021 - Present
Kera Collective (formerly RK&A) is a research, evaluation, & strategy firm helping museums bring their visions to life. In addition to client work (see Senior Associate position description below), I lead brand strategy for this small woman-owned business.Select clients:• Smithsionian museums (e.g., National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Air and Space Museum)• Exhibition and media design firms (e.g., Ralph Appelbaum Associates, PGAV Destinations, The Design Minds, HealyKohler Design)• Educational nonprofits (e.g., National Math Festival, Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico)• Art museums and organizations (e.g., Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art) • Science center and museums (e.g., Exploration Place, Science Center of Iowa)• History + civic engagement organizations (e.g., Made By Us, Oregon Historical Society)
-
-
Senior Associate
-
May 2019 - Mar 2021
-
-
Research Associate
-
Jul 2014 - Apr 2019
-
-
-
-
Invited Speaker on User Research & Experience Design
-
Mar 2016 - Present
Representing Kera Collective (formerly RK&A), I speak to graduate students about a variety of user research and experience design topics. Topics covered: • Usability Theory & Practice• How Research & Evaluation Support the Design Process• Research & Evaluation Best Practices and Methodologies• Using Evaluation to Support and Strengthen Museum LearningPrograms Visited:• Exhibition & Experience Design Program, Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC)• Pratt Institute, School of Information: Information Experience Design + Museums & Digital Culture Programs (NYC)• The George Washington University, Museum Studies Program (DC)• The George Washington University, Museum Education Program (DC)• Tufts University, Museum Education and Museums Studies Programs (Boston)
-
-
-
-
Co-Chair
-
Jan 2019 - Jan 2022
-
-
-
-
Studio Manager
-
Jul 2019 - Mar 2020
-
-
Studio Liaison
-
Nov 2017 - Jul 2019
-
-
-
Peabody Essex Museum
-
United States
-
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
-
100 - 200 Employee
-
Graduate Intern, Integrated Media
-
Jan 2014 - Jun 2014
-
-
-
Harvard Museums of Science & Culture
-
United States
-
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Evaluation & Education Specialist
-
Sep 2013 - Jun 2014
-
-
Research and Evaluation Intern
-
Jun 2013 - Aug 2013
-
-
-
Museum of Science
-
United States
-
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
-
200 - 300 Employee
-
Educator (multiple roles)
-
Sep 2012 - May 2014
-
-
Design Researcher
-
Sep 2013 - Dec 2013
-
-
-
English At Large
-
United States
-
Individual and Family Services
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Project Assistant
-
Sep 2012 - May 2013
-
-
-
TAPIF - Teaching Assistant Program in France - USA
-
United States
-
Primary and Secondary Education
-
200 - 300 Employee
-
English as a Second Language Instructor
-
Oct 2011 - May 2012
-
-
-
-
English as a Second Language Tutor & Translator
-
Oct 2011 - May 2012
-
-
-
National Constitution Center
-
United States
-
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Public Programs Educator (multiple positions)
-
Jun 2009 - Sep 2011
-
-
-
Smithsonian Institution
-
Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
-
700 & Above Employee
-
Education and Design Intern (Human Origins Program)
-
Oct 2009 - Dec 2010
-
-
Education
-
-
Tufts University
Master of Arts (M.A.) -
-
The George Washington University
B.A. -
-
Université Paris Nanterre
Community
