Benjamin Spear

Ben Spear is a strategic, user-centered designer with experience in software development, branding and web design, and leadership. After earning his BFA in Graphic Design from Boston University in 2002, he worked at a small studio designing and producing books, catalogues and websites. For the next few years, he ran Thinkside, a solo design studio working with small- to medium-sized businesses and nonprofits, delivering brand-driven print and digital work.

His first design leadership role was with Lighter, a software startup that helped people transition to a vegan diet. He also taught at the tech bootcamp General Assembly.

After Lighter, he joined HubSpot’s marketing department as director of design, leading a team of six to produce analytics-driven web experiences. After a couple years consulting as a designer, coach and advisor, he joined Geode Capital, a small and sophisticated investment firm managing over a trillion dollars in assets. He hired and managed a team of three (one UX researcher and two product designers), and within a year they shipped a small suite of new fund management tools.

Today he consults, coaches and teaches, with a focus on green technology.