Tara Franz is an experienced UX Research professional with a strong background in leading research initiatives across various companies, including Meta, Earnin, Oculus VR, and Facebook. She has held leadership roles such as Director of UX Research at Meta, where she leads research on Meta Avatars and identity in the Metaverse, and Head of UX Research at Earnin. Her experience also includes managing research projects, communicating user insights, and specializing in qualitative methodology and moderation. Additionally, Tara has experience in market research, social research,  entrepreneurship and non-profit management. She has worked with clients like Rolex, Adidas, and Citi Bank, and has led non-profits like the Howe Sound Women’s Center. As a young professional leading in technology by co-founding a computer services and web development company in the late 90’s Tara knew she would be working in technology and the continuous shift and evolution of culture through technology and with the businesses that enable these shifts. It’s no surprise that her last four years have been dedicated to working on the future of the Metaverse at Meta.

Greg leads a multidisciplinary UX organization at Oracle NetSuite, driving design systems, Ai-enabled workflows, and platform-wide experience strategy. With over 20 years of experience across fintech, SaaS, and government services, he has scaled design teams, strengthened cross-functional collaboration, and delivered product innovation at both startups and global enterprises. Passionate about advancing UX leadership, Greg helps senior practitioners chart high-impact career paths beyond traditional design roles. He frequently speaks on the future of UX leadership, career progression, and how Ai is reshaping design practice and business strategy.