Kara Hodecker is an experienced product design leader with a love for craft & mission-driven work, based just north of Boston.

Kara currently leads the product design team at Panorama Education.

Hello!

I’m currently the Head of Product Design at Panorama Education, leading our talented Design & UXR team. We’re focused on creating impactful tools for educators to help improve student outcomes.

With nearly a decade of design leadership and management experience under my belt, I’m the type of leader who isn’t afraid to pinch hit to support my team. I believe in leading with care, while motivating my team to do their best work.

Previously, I spent over 5 years at Evernote, first as a product designer, then transitioned into design management. I led a team of product designers who were responsible for the core app experiences for both mobile and desktop.

I’ve been designing for the entirety of my career, and consider myself incredibly lucky to have found fulfilling work that blends my passion for design and problem-solving to create meaningful impact for others.


Interviews & Talks

UX of EdTech Podcast | Applying Design Maturity to a Growing Team (2022) Listen to episode

Wired | Evernote's New App is More Than an Update
—It's a Reboot (2017) Read article

Everwise | A Conversation with Emerging Women Leaders at Evernote (2017) Read article

Evernote Blog | Kara Hodecker, "We Have to Stand Up For Each Other" (2017) Read article

Google Design Blog | Evernote: Ideas in Action Read article

Evernote Podcast | Taking Note: Episode 2 Listen


Education

Rochester Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Fine Arts with Highest Honors
New Media Design