Tresha Nielsen
USA
Summary
Strategic transformation leader skilled in aligning stakeholders and implementing scalable solutions through structured research and analysis to identify opportunities that drive sustainable organizational performance. Proven leader of end-to-end initiatives spanning executive leadership, sales, design, development, product engineering, sourcing, manufacturing, research, and consumer insights. Builds high-performing teams and strengthens decision-making through technology-enabled workflows, communication, and cross-functional collaboration.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Design
SI Jacobson Manufacturing
Lake Forest, IL
03.2022 - 05.2026
- Aligned cross-functional business transformation efforts across leadership, sales, design, engineering, sourcing, marketing, and manufacturing to guide global teams toward strategic priorities and end-to-end execution for OEM products.
- Connected customer, product, operational, and business information across functions to improve organizational visibility, accelerate decision-making, and enable leaders to act on emerging opportunities and execution risks.
- Served as a strategic business partner to functional and product leaders, translating customer requirements, business objectives, and operational challenges into actionable strategies, development plans, and execution priorities.
- Implemented technology-enabled operating systems, including Monday.com project management and CRM platforms, to improve information visibility, workflow transparency, cross-functional collaboration, and management decision-making; increased development-process efficiency by 60%.
- Standardized workflows, technical documentation, development practices, and operating processes across teams, improving organizational effectiveness by 40% and establishing more scalable approaches to managing complex initiatives.
- Analyzed operational processes and cross-functional dependencies to identify inefficiencies, prioritize improvement opportunities, and implement scalable solutions that strengthened execution, accountability, and organizational performance.
- Led, coached, and developed high performing design and manufacturing teams through structured mentoring, one-on-one development, knowledge sharing initiatives, and capability-building programs designed to strengthen individual performance and team effectiveness.
- Managed relationships across internal stakeholders, global suppliers, and external partners, establishing clear requirements, performance expectations, and deliverables to support strategic business priorities.
- Directed global factory and supplier initiatives across Asia, conducting factory audits, evaluating production capabilities, sourcing materials, and identifying opportunities to improve manufacturing processes and product performance.
Lead Industrial Designer
Milwaukee Tool
Brookfield, WI
11.2020 - 03.2022
- Championed user-centered design in product development, enhancing user experience and ensuring alignment with customer needs.
- Managed projects from concept to production, leading the design team and mentoring designers and interns to foster skill development.
- Led design for the Soft Goods category within the Hand Tools division, overseeing soft storage, safety wearables, tool attachments, holders, and accessories.
- Collaborated cross-functionally with marketing, engineering, sourcing, and product development to deliver projects on time and resolve development challenges.
- Standardized the technical pack process, improving communication, reducing prototype iterations, increasing sample accuracy, and enabling more precise supplier quotes.
- Researched and introduced performance materials, collaborating with suppliers to create durable fabric solutions for demanding job-site environments.
Senior Design Manager
Heritage Travelware, Ltd.
Elgin, IL
09.2018 - 06.2020
- Led the design, development, and project management of soft goods collections for private-label customers, including Kenneth Cole, Heritage, Ben Sherman, Aimee Kestenberg, American Leather Co., and Nordstrom.
- Directed products from concept through production, managing timelines, specifications, budgets, and deliverables across multiple concurrent development programs.
- Directed new product initiatives, developing detailed product specifications and technical requirements while guiding product development teams in execution.
- Managed collaboration with merchandising teams and manufacturing partners across China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, and India, strengthening cross-cultural relationships, resolving development challenges, and ensuring adherence to production schedules.
- Developed and implemented a standardized New Item Request (NIR) process, improving communication between overseas factories and internal teams, increasing project visibility, reducing development delays, and improving overall efficiency by 35%.
- Liaised between customers, internal teams, and global manufacturing partners, translating customer requirements into actionable product development and production plans for effective implementation.
Senior Product Designer
High Sierra (Division of Samsonite, LLC)
Vernon Hills, IL
12.2017 - 09.2018
- Managed design and development of back-to-school, business, lunch kit, and customer-specific backpack programs, overseeing projects from concept to production to meet market demands.
- Led the inline back-to-school category, representing 55% of annual business, ensuring on-time delivery and alignment with strategic objectives.
- Led design and development of the Costco daypack program, contributing to the successful launch of a product line that generated sales of more than 900,000 units in 2017.
- Drove product innovation by identifying market opportunities through competitive analysis, consumer insights, and trend forecasting, informing design decisions.
- Mentored junior designers and provided guidance throughout the product development lifecycle, fostering collaboration and adherence to design and development best practices.
Product Designer
High Sierra (Division of Samsonite, LLC)
Vernon Hills, IL
06.2012 - 12.2017
- Led design and development of school and business backpack collections, collaborating with marketing, sales, and textile design teams to deliver innovative products and effective sales materials.
- Developed and implemented a standardized product-development strategy for off-price backpack programs, contributing to a 30% increase in sales from 2016-2017.
- Streamlined the product development process for back-to-school programs by improving project schedules and workflows, reducing development timelines, minimizing production errors, and eliminating minimum order quantity (MOQ) challenges.
- Maintained product lines by integrating market trends and consumer insights, ensuring competitiveness in the marketplace.
- Collaborated with China-based merchandising teams and manufacturing partners to optimize materials and construction methods, achieving cost savings while sustaining product quality.
Product Designer (Intern)
High Sierra (Division of Samsonite, LLC)
Vernon Hills, IL
06.2011 - 06.2012
- Supported product, graphic, and textile designers throughout design stages to enhance project execution.
Education
Bachelor of Fine Art - Industrial Design, Art History, Business
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Milwaukee, WICertification - UX Design with specialization in UI Design
CareerFoundry
OnlineCertification - SolidWorks
College of Lake County
Grayslake, ILSkills
- Core Competencies: Market Research and Analysis, Product Analysis, User Personas, User Journeys, Trend Analysis, User Flows, User Research, Trend Research, Material Sourcing, Global Sourcing, Cost Reduction, International Manufacturing, Domestic Manufacturing, Project Development, Soft Goods Design, Industrial Product Design, Prototyping, Rapid Prototyping, Design Strategy, Style Guide, Adobe Creative Suite, PatternSmith, Mondaycom, Microsoft Office Suite, Sustainable Development, AI Tools, Speed
- Leadership Competencies: Team Leadership, Knowledge Sharing, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Customer Engagement, Process Improvement, Coaching and Mentorship, Culture Building, Conflict Resolution, Team Motivation, Supplier Management, Project Management, Product Development, Strategic Planning, Communication, Continuous Improvement, Problem Solving, Issue Resolution, Schedule Adherence
Timeline
Director of Design
SI Jacobson Manufacturing
03.2022 - 05.2026
Lead Industrial Designer
Milwaukee Tool
11.2020 - 03.2022
Senior Design Manager
Heritage Travelware, Ltd.
09.2018 - 06.2020
Senior Product Designer
High Sierra (Division of Samsonite, LLC)
12.2017 - 09.2018
Product Designer
High Sierra (Division of Samsonite, LLC)
06.2012 - 12.2017
Product Designer (Intern)
High Sierra (Division of Samsonite, LLC)
06.2011 - 06.2012
Bachelor of Fine Art - Industrial Design, Art History, Business
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Certification - UX Design with specialization in UI Design
CareerFoundry
Certification - SolidWorks
College of Lake County