London, Ontario, Canada
Catherinah Rajakumar
Design leader. Product thinker. Founder.
I help teams create momentum by bringing clarity to complex product challenges and turning ambitious ideas into thoughtful, shipped experiences.
Approach
- 01
Start with people.
The best products begin with understanding people. I listen first, ask questions, and uncover what's really getting in the way before exploring solutions.
- 02
Simplify the complex.
I enjoy untangling complexity. Whether it's a product, a process, or a team challenge, I look for the clearest path forward without losing sight of what matters.
- 03
Create momentum.
I'm often brought into projects that have lost direction or stalled. I help teams find clarity, make decisions, and keep moving until ideas become real, valuable experiences.
Experience
I lead a design team building digital experiences for millions of Canadians across workplace benefits and retirement. My focus is creating simple, accessible products in a complex, regulated environment by connecting customer needs, business goals, and technology.
Responsibilities
- —Lead and mentor a design team while setting direction and maintaining a high quality bar
- —Partner with product, engineering, and business teams to define problems and deliver meaningful experiences
- —Use research and customer insights to improve key journeys and simplify complex financial experiences
Big Wins
- —Designed and helped ship the My Canada Life at Work mobile app from 0→1 across iOS and Android, now supporting millions of Canadians
- —Introduced a design process that improved collaboration and reduced rework across teams
- —Redesigned key member journeys through research, stakeholder alignment, and iterative product improvements
Leadership Highlights
- —Advocate for accessibility and inclusive design throughout the product lifecycle
- —Help teams navigate ambiguity by creating clarity, alignment, and momentum
- —Bridge customer needs, technical constraints, and business priorities to move ideas into action
Selected Projects
What Others Say
“She provided thoughtful, rationale-backed insights and was always curious about user feedback regarding new features. She effectively represented the team and design as a whole to leadership and other disciplines.”
— Design Collaborator, Canada Life
Selected Work
Product · iOS · Android
Building a Mobile App from 0 → 1
Product · Web · Mobile
Simplifying a Complex Claims Journey
Product · Web
Reimagining the Charity Profile
Branding · Product Design
Made In Rural India: A Brand and a Marketplace for Farmers
Campaign · Sustainability
Hidesign: Telling a Sustainability Story
Founder
The Better Fat Co. started with familiar ingredients and traditions I grew up with. Building it alongside my design career has pushed me to think beyond screens and consider a full product experience, from what's made to how it's understood.
What it taught me
Ownership
When you build something yourself, every decision has your name on it.
Positioning
A great product needs more than quality. It needs clarity around why it matters.
Product thinking
You can't A/B test a jar. Building a physical product has taught me to think about customers, constraints, and experiences in a completely different way.
Education & Credentials
Education
Masters in Communication Design
Kingston University, London UK
2013 — 2014
Bachelor of Commerce
Stella Maris College, Chennai India
2008 — 2011
Certifications
Empathy + Social Insight for Human-Centred Design
OCAD University · Mar 2021
Accessibility: How To Design For All
Interaction Design Foundation · Feb 2021
Enterprise Design Thinking Practitioner
IBM · May 2020
Skills
Contact
© 2026 Catherinah Rajakumar. Designed and built with care in London, Ontario.