As a design anthropologist and psychologist, Anna Kirah is an expert in cutting-edge qualitative research methods used to understand the articulated and unarticulated needs of people. She connects this understanding to the creation of meaningful, relevant, useful, and desirable products, services, and organizational change. Anna believes that focusing on meaning rather than technology better equips industries for transformations, including digital transformations. She advocates for finding a balance between technology and humanity, emphasizing system design and transformation.
Anna Kirah’s experience working for Boeing and Microsoft has earned her global recognition in technology trends, digital transformation, strategy, and change management. She has an uncanny ability to zoom in and out, putting challenges organizations face into perspective in an ever-changing world.
Anna began her career as a design anthropologist in the 90s at Boeing, responsible for both quantitative and qualitative research for the pre-concept work of Boeing’s 787 “Dreamliner.” During this time, she tested her methods with pilots, passengers, and crew on long-haul flights, becoming an expert in passenger experience both at airports and in the air. She focused on transition time to identify gaps in current service designs.
In 1999, Anna was headhunted to Microsoft, becoming the first anthropologist in a company of over 70,000 employees. She served as the Chief Design Anthropologist for Windows, MSN, Windows Live, mobile services, embedded software solutions, and digital media. She developed and implemented “REAL PEOPLE, REAL DATA,” a global initiative built on ethnographic methods that brought user involvement to the forefront of technology design and development. This initiative marked the first people-centered design effort where services and products were created with end users, who Anna refers to emphatically as “people.”
At Microsoft, Anna studied life stages around the world—from ghettos in South Africa and Brazil to the most developed homes in Korea, Dubai, Japan, and Europe. Her work became so sought after that Microsoft loaned her out as an advisor to numerous global companies, including L’Oreal, Ford Motors, and Proctor & Gamble.
In 2004, Anna was awarded Contributor of the Year at Microsoft for her strategic work contributing to the development of both Windows XP and MSN (later Windows Live). In 2010, she was named World Wide Community Subject Matter Expert for User Experience.
Anna has led global initiatives in both the public and private sectors in various countries, designed and led a radical innovation school for top leaders featured in Business Week, and advised governments and CEOs worldwide.
As a design anthropologist and psychologist, Anna Kirah is an expert in cutting-edge qualitative research methods used to understand the articulated and unarticulated needs of people. She connects this understanding to the creation of meaningful, relevant, useful, and desirable products, services, and organizational change. Anna believes that focusing on meaning rather than technology better equips industries for transformations, including digital transformations. She advocates for finding a balance between technology and humanity, emphasizing system design and transformation.
Anna Kirah’s experience working for Boeing and Microsoft has earned her global recognition in technology trends, digital transformation, strategy, and change management. She has an uncanny ability to zoom in and out, putting challenges organizations face into perspective in an ever-changing world.
Anna began her career as a design anthropologist in the 90s at Boeing, responsible for both quantitative and qualitative research for the pre-concept work of Boeing’s 787 “Dreamliner.” During this time, she tested her methods with pilots, passengers, and crew on long-haul flights, becoming an expert in passenger experience both at airports and in the air. She focused on transition time to identify gaps in current service designs.
In 1999, Anna was headhunted to Microsoft, becoming the first anthropologist in a company of over 70,000 employees. She served as the Chief Design Anthropologist for Windows, MSN, Windows Live, mobile services, embedded software solutions, and digital media. She developed and implemented “REAL PEOPLE, REAL DATA,” a global initiative built on ethnographic methods that brought user involvement to the forefront of technology design and development. This initiative marked the first people-centered design effort where services and products were created with end users, who Anna refers to emphatically as “people.”
At Microsoft, Anna studied life stages around the world—from ghettos in South Africa and Brazil to the most developed homes in Korea, Dubai, Japan, and Europe. Her work became so sought after that Microsoft loaned her out as an advisor to numerous global companies, including L’Oreal, Ford Motors, and Proctor & Gamble.
In 2004, Anna was awarded Contributor of the Year at Microsoft for her strategic work contributing to the development of both Windows XP and MSN (later Windows Live). In 2010, she was named World Wide Community Subject Matter Expert for User Experience.
Anna has led global initiatives in both the public and private sectors in various countries, designed and led a radical innovation school for top leaders featured in Business Week, and advised governments and CEOs worldwide.
