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I design like a coxswain: align the team, call the moves, and keep momentum.

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I’ve built my career working in spaces that aren’t straightforward—fintech, healthcare, early-stage products—usually as the only designer in the room. I naturally sit in the middle—connecting product, engineering, and business—translating priorities, aligning direction, and helping teams move forward with clarity. I’m comfortable making decisions quickly, especially when things are ambiguous or high-pressure. 

 

Outside of work, I train and compete in endurance sports—as a road cyclist and crew coxswain. I approach design the same way I approach sport: with consistency, endurance, and a bias toward action. Training has taught me discipline, adaptability, resilience, and how to perform under pressure—whether that’s in a race or a fast-moving product environment.

 

I’m also a dual U.S.–Israeli citizen, well-traveled, and energized by new environments, perspectives, and challenges. I'm currently based in Cleveland, Ohio and live with my fur-child Doris, the cat. I’m always open to new cities, new problems, and teams building things that matter.

© 2026 Leah Sass and 1x Designs, LLC

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