Ben Tollady

Ben Tollady is an experienced design professional and leader currently serving as the Head of Digital User Experience (Sales) at Telstra, a position he has held since June 2022.1 With a career spanning over 26 years in digital design, Tollady has established himself as a strategic designer and design leader with a strong background in building high-performing teams and fostering creative cultures.1

Career Highlights

Current Role:: At Telstra, Tollady leads a team of 30 UX designers across the Sales missions.1 This role allows him to apply his extensive experience in user experience design to one of Australia's largest telecommunications companies.

Previous Positions::

• Experience Design Lead for Telstra Energy (August 2020 - June 2022)1
• Experience Design Director at Origin Energy (February 2018 - July 2020)1
• Co-founder and Experience Design Director at Thirst Studios (February 2008 - May 2018)1

Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Tollady has demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit throughout his career:

• He co-founded Thirst Studios, where he served as Experience Design Director for over a decade.1
• Currently runs Benjamin Tollady Design, offering strategic design services.1
• Co-founded and curates the Business of Design Meet-up in Melbourne.1

Education and Professional Development

• Holds a BA (Hons) 2:1 from Loughborough University (1994-1997)1
• Completed certifications in "Leading For Creativity" and "Storytelling For Influence" from IDEO U1

Industry Involvement

Tollady is actively involved in the design community:

• Member of InVision's Design Leadership Forum1
• Former founder and curator of UXmas and Melbourne Geek Night1
• Has served as an industry mentor and visiting lecturer at various institutions1

Ben Tollady describes himself as "personable, innately curious and a unique systems thinker," attributes that have likely contributed to his success in the field of user experience design and leadership.1