Kate Thomas
Product Manager and Civic Technologist
US Citizen with UK Settled Status | Full right to work in US and UK
Professional Summary
Passionate product manager leveraging technology to unlock human potential. With over a decade of experience in developing privacy-first systems that empower and unite communities. Facilitated seamless collaboration among designers, developers, legal and regulatory experts, content creators, and communications teams, acting as a bridge builder between diverse disciplines.
Core Skills
Technical
  • Product Management: Agile, Scrum (CSM), MVP
  • Development: React, Node.js, Python, Local AI
  • Platforms: Airtable, Salesforce, WordPress, Notion, Webflow, Railway, APIs
  • Privacy: HIPAA, GDPR, Data Governance
Leadership
  • Global Team Coordination: 100+ contributors
  • Stakeholder Management: C-suite to community
  • Change Management: Digital transformation
Community Impact
  • Storytelling
  • Distributed Collaboration
  • Ethical AI Implementation
  • Open Source Advocacy
Professional Experience
Product Manager & Designer
Independent Practice | Jan 2014 - Present London & Sarasota, FL
  • Developed HIPAA-compliant clinical research platform to increase diversity in recruitment
  • Built HIPAA compliant screening system in 1 week (vs typical $50K solutions) using local AI
  • Managed Knead Peace cookbook: 30+ contributors, 12 time zones, £2.50/book to Ukraine
  • Publisher and Director of illustrated literary magazines The Sixpenny Magazine and Penny Zine: 100+ contributors, featured in Communication Arts, Kickstarter Project of the Day, Newspaper Club Newspaper of the Month
General Manager
Bookstore Number 1 | Jun 2017 - May 2020 Sarasota, FL
  • Increased sales 20% while reducing inventory 30%
  • Improved staff experience across 12-person team by supporting role ownership
  • Launched teen publishing program and author festival, expanded third place offerings
Education & Certifications
Master of Arts, Creative Writing
City, University of London 2011-2013
Architecture, Art & Planning
Cornell University 2000-2003
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Plus CompTIA Security+ and certificates in RAD with LLMs (NVIDIA) and Project Management
Case Study: Clinical Research Screener
The Problem
A community research site was failing because coordinators spent 60% of their time navigating 47 different vendor platforms instead of conducting research. They couldn't afford specialized screening staff ($60K+ salaries) and faced closure.
My Approach
Technology should empower existing staff, not replace them. Patient data should never leave the building. No recurring costs, no vendor lock-in
Solution
Research & Architecture
Interviewed coordinators, mapped workflow pain points, and designed two-phase architecture: online for setup, offline for patient data
Core System Development
Implemented Claude API for question generation, local processing with Whisper and GPT4All, and created Quick Entry Bar for common medical data
User Interface & Testing
Built real-time eligibility checker, designed conversation-first interface, and tested with actual coordinators
Deployment & Training
Installed on existing $650 MacBook Air, trained staff in 2 hours, and documented system for ongoing use
Impact
Site remained operational
Serving their community without disruption
Zero HIPAA violations
Privacy-first architecture kept patient data secure
Returned focus to actual research
Coordinators spent time with patients, not platforms
Case Studies: Publishing & Community Impact
Knead Peace Cookbook for Ukraine
Managed packaging of a humanitarian cookbook with 30+ world-renowned bakers including Yotam Ottolenghi. Built submission portal, coordinated contributors across 12 time zones, and designed and delivered print-ready InDesign files to Hachette on an aggressive timeline. The book raised £2.50 per copy for humanitarian aid while demonstrating the power of global community action.
Palm Palm Books
Created an AI-powered book discovery platform promoting independent publishers who get buried by Amazon's algorithm. Developed the "Blind Date with a Book" matching system prioritizing serendipity over sales and built a privacy-first progressive web app. Supported 50+ publishers including Fantagraphics and Drawn & Quarterly, proving a sustainable model for discovery without surveillance.
Technical Proficiencies
Developer
JavaScript, React, Node.js, Python, HTML/CSS
AI & ML
GPT4All, Whisper, Claude API, Local LLM implementation
Privacy & Data
HIPAA and GDPR compliance, Secure architecture, Data governance
Design
Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Information Architecture

Throughout my career, I've consistently demonstrated how thoughtful technology can solve complex problems without requiring massive budgets or sacrificing privacy. My approach centers on amplifying human capability rather than replacing it, creating systems that empower users while respecting their agency and data. I build for the community research sites, the independent bookstores, the mission-driven organizations, and the passionate teams fighting to exist. Every tool that keeps them operational is a victory.