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Haiyan Zhang
Chief of Staff, Microsoft Gaming / Designer & Inventor
Professional Background
Haiyan Zhang is an innovative designer, engineer, and maker who has established a remarkable career filled with diverse experiences across various roles in prominent organizations. Currently serving as the General Manager of Gaming AI at Xbox, Haiyan is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technology that enhances gaming experiences for users worldwide. With a strong foundation built on years of dedicated service in the realms of software engineering, user experience, and hardware R&D, she has consistently explored how technology can positively influence people's lives.
Prior to her current role, Haiyan held the position of Chief of Staff to the CEO of Microsoft Gaming from 2020 to 2022, enabling her to closely assist in steering key strategic initiatives. Her tenure in leadership roles includes being the Senior Director of Innovation at Microsoft Research Cambridge, which further solidified her status as a thought leader in the intersections of technology, innovation, and design. Additionally, Haiyan gained recognition as an inventor and television host on the BBC series "Big Life Fix," where she developed groundbreaking technology solutions aimed at supporting individuals and communities in need.
Throughout her impressive 20-year career, Haiyan has worked directly in various technical domains, including cloud platforms, design thinking, service design, and blue-sky envisioning. Her commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology extends to her previous critical roles, including Innovation Director at Xbox Games Studio and Co-Founder representing the design and development lead for the SaaS platform, OpenIDEO.
Notably, OpenIDEO has attracted over 150,000 users around the globe to tackle challenges for social good, proving to be an exceptional enterprise innovation engine utilized by prominent organizations such as British Airways, DeutscheBank, and Harvard Business School. This platform is a testimonial to her impact on the design and innovation landscape.
Education and Achievements
Haiyan's educational background showcases her commitment to design and technology, evident in her pursuit of advanced learning. She obtained a Master's degree with Distinction in Interaction Design from the prestigious Interaction Design Institute in Ivrea, showcasing her rigorous understanding of user interaction principles. Furthermore, she holds a Bachelor of Computer Science with First-Class Honours from Monash University in Australia, complemented by a Post Graduate Diploma in Interactive Multimedia from Sheridan College.
In her pursuit of excellence, Haiyan has been recognized as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and is also a member of the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA), underscoring her contributions to the fields of arts, technology, and innovation.
Haiyan's extensive professional journey reflects her dedication to creating impactful technology experiences. As a former Principal Interaction Designer at IDEO, she specialized in crafting innovative tech solutions targeted at enhancing community building, entertainment, and financial services. Her collaborations with leading video game creators reveal her role in influencing the future of gaming. Haiyan has successfully partnered with global brands such as Mattel, Electronic Arts, HBO, Citibank, France Telecom, Alcatel, Cisco, and AT&T, demonstrating her wide-ranging influence in the technology sector.
Personal Impact and Philosophy
Having lived and worked across Australia, Toronto, China, Italy, San Francisco, and London, Haiyan embodies a global mindset that enriches her innovative approach to design and technology. Currently residing in Seattle, she continues to explore new frontiers in gaming technology and befitting solutions for diverse communities.
As a former visiting lecturer and critic at the Royal College of Art and an external examiner at the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design, Haiyan actively contributes to nurturing the next generation of designers and innovators. She has also facilitated prototyping workshops at Stanford University, blending her industry experience with academic insights to illuminate minds and inspire upcoming talents in the field.
In summary, Haiyan Zhang is not just a pioneering professional but an inspiring leader whose work goes beyond conventional boundaries. Her multifaceted career encapsulates the spirit of innovation, design excellence, and a commitment to utilizing technology for social good. Whether through her significant contributions to the gaming industry or her passion for mentorship and academic engagement, Haiyan continues to leave a lasting impression on both her peers and the communities she serves.
Highlights
Correcting kids homework just got a lot faster. ChatGPT still making some simple mistakes in geometry and multiple choice, but still a smidge better than my brain can process in parallel. https://t.co/mkR3X0xwMp
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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