Meet Jesenia…
- Jes - Jessie - Jai -
Who am I and what gets me going?
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There are only 2% of Latinx women in STEM.
I am one of the 2%.
The result of my own experience is a lifelong commitment to, and firm belief in the value of, creating authentically inclusive, accessible, and equitable experiences.
DEI is more than just a box to check off, for our users, our players, our global community and our internal team.
It’s what makes UX such a necessary part of any product or marketing toolkit, and why I remain actively involved various ERGs and diversity support groups as a member or an ally to supporting greater representation.
There is nothing more powerful than others seeing people like them in places and positions they connect with.
Because everyone deserves to feel connected, represented, and accepted. -
Gamified experiences is more than just a buzzword that only game creators and designers should think about. In fact, today there are more elements of game mechanics in everyday interactions than ever.
People are driven by elements of play.
Whether it’s daily check-ins for rewards on our favorite coffee shop’s loyalty app, unlocking achievements and progress bars on e-learning courses, themed light displays at an event booth, or something as nuanced as seeing animated confetti after marking a task as complete in project management platforms .
(I’m looking at you Monday.com)It’s why I not only focus on ensuring the content resonates with our audience, but on ways to reward curiosity and encourage engagement throughout the user’s journey across the entire ecosystem.
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Whether it’s an app, a digital product, or a corporate website, everyone has the right to a great end-to-end user experience.
This applies not only to design elements, but also in what is written and how ideas are expressed. It’s categorization, taxonomy, and structure.To me user experience is people experience. Which is why I am an ever advocate for content that is authentic, human, inclusive and accessible.
There’s nothing more fulfilling than being able to connect people with the products they want, love, and need. -
“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence, and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.” - Sheryl Sandberg (COO, Facebook)
This quote encompasses my personal leadership style. I truly believe in the power of empowering others to be their best selves. To motivate them to follow their passions in alignment with the goals we are working together to achieve.
That means authenticity, transparency, self accountability, compassion, and empathy. It’s building trust while also leaning in to the hard decisions when time calls for it.
It’s why I thrive on mentorship, continue to support inclusive practices, and always look at ways to improve productivity - not just for the business but also for those I work alongside with and for.
Leadership isn’t a title or a position, but a mindset and steadfast commitment to empowering those who decide to trust you to make decisions on their behalf - no matter when, where, and what those decisions may be.
While my full name may be Jesenia M. Vargas Diaz, most people call me Jai or Jes.
(Two of my favorites call me Mom!)
Ever since I was a child I’ve had a passion for words and writing. I recall pouring over countless books, handwriting definitions to words I didn’t recognize, and dreaming up stories in my still school-aged mind.
Then as I grew, so did my realization of stories existing beyond physical books into the virtual realm. My second passion? Playing through storylines myself. (Let’s just say a Gameboy Advance was just as close to my bedside as my chapter books. 🎮)
Little did I know it was the early beginnings of my journey combining my love for storytelling with innovative tech experiences.
Hobbies and Interests
ArcheAge Semi-Hardcore Payer + In-Game Guild Officer
Publisher: Kakao Games
Jan 2013 (Alpha) - Current
Game Type: Open-world MMORPG
Time Played: 20,000+ hrs 🤫
Niantic Wayfarer + Orlando Raids Community Member
Publisher: Niantic
July 2016 - Current
Game Type: Mobile AR
Level: 40
Taekwondo
Studio: Ignite Martial Arts
Oct 2006-Current
Styles: International Taekwondo Federation (ITF),
World Taekwondo (WT)
Former Florida Regional Director + Active Alumna
Organization: Hermandad de Sigma Iota, Alpha. Inc.
May 2012 - Current
Non-profit Latina-based Sorority founded in Sept 1990
>> Career Fast forward >>
Thanks to my unique career journey (adventure), I’ve gained the wisdom needed to connect content and story-driven ideas with the platforms needed to get it out to the world.
From writing up multi-million dollar product proposals for a new IoT experience to single-handedly managing the full content rebrand of one of Inc.’s fastest-growing financial tech companies, my skills now go beyond just dreams and talent (and “marketing” in the traditional sense).
The result? Through the intersection of technology and creative thought, I find great joy in making sure the right message is shared in the right place at the right time. While making it fun and exciting along the way.
My Personal Vision
To be in a position where I can bring dreams once imagined to life through the intertwining of real and virtual experiences. Whether it’s through the expansion of modern game experiences or the build out of technology that allows others to communicate and share in new ways they never thought possible.
“Words and Content are a way for people to collaborate and communicate with each other, with context being the queen that helps guide them both in the right direction. ”
Where I’ve Been (Career-wise)
Here’s a few places I’ve put my curiosity to the test and learned a “few” things I enjoy teaching others.
2023 — Heads Up! Mobile Game
MOBILE GAME PRODUCER ~ PROJECT MANAGEMENT ~ PLATFORM PUBLISHING (APPLE STORE + GOOGLE PLAY)
Details TBD
2023 — Worth AI
CONTENT PUBLISHING ~ CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT ~ PR
Details TBD
2019 — Stax
CONTENT MARKETING ~ BRAND STRATEGIST ~ PR ~ EXECUTIVE THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Orlando-based Fintech Unicorn Stax is the most recent place I call my work home and has been a rocket ship of growth. It's been a wild ride serving an integral role in direct support of the company’s triple-digit growth year over year, to include managing the entire company’s user experience-driven content strategy across 3+ acquisitions, 4+ industry-first product launches, a full company rebrand, multiple feature releases, multiple investment rounds, and 15+ award wins (but who’s really counting by now?).
Being able to work under the representative leadership of two Pakistani siblings and one of the industry’s rarest and fiercest Woman CEO further supported my belief in the power of diverse, equitable, and inclusive workspaces.
Needless to say, Stax and their ever-ambitious leadership team have really allowed me to sink my teeth into what it takes to build a billion-dollar brand.
2018 — Electronic Arts
DIGITAL PUBLISHING ~ CONTENT MANAGEMENT ~ LOCALIZATION
A detour without being a detour. Much of my in-depth web and content publishing knowledge came from my year-long contract work on EA’s global Digital publishing team.
It was awesome working alongside some of the most talented creatives and writers in support of the Madden web experience (including Madden Mobile AND the Madden Ultimate Team), NBA Live, and UFC - as well as helping teammates across SIMS, FIFA, and many others.
I learned a TON about publishing content through Adobe’s AEM platform, web localization for 25+ locals, and the glories of having to manually submit translations when a headline truncated because it’s gfkdagfkj long in German (#istillloveditanyways).
Being on the “other” side of the content space as a web publisher supporting the marketing and content teams made me appreciate cross-team collaboration that much more. I am a big supporter of making my fellow designers and web developers’ life easier when I write content for them. I understand your pain now.
2016 — LMS, Inc.
INTERNAL COMMS ~ HYPER-PERSONALIZATION ~ IOT ~ PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
What started as freelance work turned into some of my most career-pivoting years. One of the unique experiences I had was supporting tour team’s ability to lead and manage several projects in development, launch and integration of Carnival’s Medallion Class IOT experience on their Princess Cruise Lines. as the Communications Director and Editorial Manager.
It was great also being able to work alongside our Creative Director to implement new QA processes for copy and design as the team’s content and design teams expanded. Now while I love moving fast - I love making sure quality isn’t lost and there’s always an extra set of eyes to catch those pesky extra spaces or missing commas just as much.
My experience at LMS also came with more than it’s own fair share of brand refreshing and content support added to the mix. Client emails, direct mail pieces, and HR memos to mention a few.
2015 — Celebrity Expert Marketing
CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT ~ COPY + DESIGN ~ CONTENT STRATEGY ~ GHOSTWRITING
Ever had the chance to be a client account manager, designer, copywriter, and content strategist all at once? If you’re a hands-on writer, I can already see you raising your own hands in my mind's eye.
When it comes to personality-driven marketing and ghostwriting, nothing gives more solid experience than working directly for 12+ entrepreneurs and business owners on their customer newsletters.
Whether I was interviewing real estate customers for testimonials, researching eye diseases to write a case study directed at doctors, or drafting up articles with dental advice, being able to write on behalf of the business owners gave me insights on the impact of a well-positioned message.
Especially from a direct mail newsletter. (Yep - we went the traditional route!).
I’ll never forget how excited my cosmetic surgeon client was during our monthly call as he shared that ever since we implemented his newsletter program, his dog became a huge hit with his customers.
Turns out, they loved reading the newsletters just to hear about their joint adventures and couldn’t get enough. In fact, they started asking him to bring Brody to the office!