Inspired by the desire for impact on product and overall user success, Breanna Wong’s passion for design and helping others led her to GivingData—a perfect intersection of purpose and technology. As the Director of Product Design, Breanna’s work is visible to GivingData users and beyond.
What inspired you to join GivingData?
I was previously working at a larger company, and knew I wanted to join a smaller organization where I could have more impact on product direction, user experience, and ultimately users’ success in reaching their goals. When I found GivingData, the company had exactly what I was looking for - a small, dedicated team passionate about improving people’s lives through technology.
What did you learn from your previous product design roles that you hope to bring to the GivingData community?
User feedback is crucial! Hearing directly from a variety of users allows us to identify patterns in processes across organizations. From there, we can design software that supports the way users actually work, and often find ways to streamline their process. A successful design is always grounded in real user needs.
What does philanthropy mean to you?
Merriam-Webster defines philanthropy as: goodwill to fellow members of the human race especially: active effort to promote human welfare
To me, the “active effort” part is really important. In my time at GivingData, I’ve observed how much hard work foundation staff put in to make sure their funding strategies are effective, resulting in a positive impact on society.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your GivingData experience so far?
It’s super rewarding to see how the product features we’ve designed help to facilitate grantmaking and contribute to social impact. Each year, I’m more and more impressed as the number of grants awarded using GivingData continues to grow.
What one piece of advice would you give a new member of our team?
Bring your unique perspective to the table. We truly value hearing ideas from all team members. Newcomers in particular have a fresh viewpoint that can help us improve the way we work.
What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I love to be outdoors, ideally traveling with my husband to great hiking destinations around the world. At home in Pittsburgh, I enjoy cooking, gardening, and spending time with our four very spoiled cats.
Breanna and her husband, Dustin, hiking in Shenandoah National Park