UX San Antonio creates ways for people to connect, explore, and grow in the career field of user experience (UX).
Volunteers helped Hector Carrillo and Bob Hotard launch Mission UX, a grassroots-based conference held in San Antonio for UX people. After two annual conferences, we decided we wanted more, an empowering community where we could help and be helped, learn, grow, and build relationships. Also, we wanted to meet with recruiters, experts, and business people.
At last, the first gathering packed the event space at iHeartMedia headquarters in San Antonio on Jan. 9, 2020, featuring Lou Rosenfeld, publisher for Rosenfeld Media. Because of the pandemic, we shifted to online meetings in February.
We use Meetup.com for event announcements and registration. So far, monthly events charge no admission price thanks to our generous sponsors. On the side, we offer volunteer projects and a Slack channel. Job seekers and career-changers can connect with us for a portfolio review, interview tips, or someone to talk to. Finally, some of our sponsors are staffing companies, and their recruiters participate on Slack as active members.
Our Nonprofit Fiesta for the Mind
Fiesta for the Mind is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that produces idea-focused communities in San Antonio, including:
* User Experience San Antonio (this organization)
* TEDxSanAntonio, a premier TEDx event community
* Creative Mornings San Antonio
To find out more about Fiesta for the Mind or our programs, reach out to the Fiesta for the Mind board president Susan Price at Susan@FirecatStudio.com.
A wise ally
Fortunately, we work under the umbrella of Fiesta for the Mind, a 501(c)(3) organization that supports events for TEDxSanAntonio, World Usability Day, and World Information Architecture (IA) Day. Therefore, UX San Antonio values Fiesta for the Mind founder Susan Price for her time and contributions as Advisor on our leadership team during this important first few years.
Ways we serve
- Connect people in San Antonio’s robust UX job market.
- Support learning and growth for all skill levels.
- Create opportunities for UXers in our community.
- Expand awareness of the benefits of human-centered design (HCD).
- Have fun!
Leadership Team
Leadership
Gemma Saunders - Co-President
Adrienne Palmer - Co-President
Bob Hotard - Business Development
Susan Price - Advisor
Paula Schuler - Communications
Gemma Saunders works as a UX researcher at Firecat Studio, and in 2023, she completed training to become a Certified Usability Analyst. While volunteering for two years, she’s grown knowledgeable about the activities and value that UXSA provides. The president role opened, so she raised her hand and started her term as UXSA Co-President in January 2024.
Gemma emigrated from the U.K. to the U.S. in 2014. As a mother of five, she’s mastered management, organization, and task tracking. On the side, she’s earned three psychology degrees. Altogether, this helps her keep the organizations she serves moving forward and running smoothly.
Adrienne Palmer designs products for users so that they can work faster and happier, not harder. In design for about 20 years, her full-range work is found at startups and Fortune 500 companies alike. When she isn’t navigating the outer edges of what’s possible in digital, she is curled up with a nice hardcopy real book or walking her very real and all too quirky dog.
Bob celebrates over 25 years in the digital space in multiple UX design and leadership roles for AT&T and USAA and owns 10,000 hours of experience in Interaction Design. Telecommuting since 2002, working with and managing geographically separated teams is his pre- and post-covid normal.
As a Lead UX Designer for AT&T’s Design Standards team, Bob managed a Design System website serving UX designers, developers, and marketing/business partners. Since August of 2020, he has facilitated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion conversations at AT&T, guiding employees in conversation about racism and civil injustices against marginalized groups.
Bob uses a background in multimedia production and sales management to sharpen management skills while volunteering for design related organizations including UXSA, TEDxSanAntonio and local UI/UX conferences.
Bob enjoys DDPYoga, playing team sports, listening to Blues and Rock-n-Roll music, as well as spending time with family and a rescue poodle named Luna.
Susan Price is a UX pioneer, strategist, entrepreneur, and community builder. As Founder, CEO and Master Strategist at Firecat Studio, Susan and her team strategize, design, and create experiences in all channels, with websites, apps, accessibility, equity, in-person and remote experience research and design. They strategize, design and execute marketing such as branding, research, search engine optimization, digital advertising, social media, email campaigns, and advertising.
Susan fosters communities of ideas.
Susan fosters communities of ideas.
She co-founded TEDxSanAntonio, Austin Free-Net, Fiesta for the Mind, and UX San Antonio. She helps clients create innovation communities.
Paula Schuler has volunteered with UX San Antonio since its founding. Her background includes work as a UX writer, content designer, systems analyst, web content editor, technical writer and service designer. She enjoys cultural events and the outdoors.
David Alegria
Logistics Director
David Alegria is a goal-driven marketing and communications professional with a passion for digital strategy, project management, and delivering great experiences.
He aspires to transition into the world of UX and apply the skills he’s developed throughout his career in marketing. He thrives through collaborations, creative brainstorming, and challenging myself to think outside the box.
Currently, he serves as Communications Manager for the City of San Antonio’s health department. In his spare time, he enjoys running, going on hikes, attending live music events, and volunteering.
