Volunteer of the Month: Katrina Lovrick

This March, we thank Affiliate Member Katrina Lovrick for her contribution to the RGD community.

How long have you been volunteering with the RGD, and in what capacity?

I’ve been involved with the RGD since 2023, when I worked with Context Creative as Lead UX on the website redesign. In 2024, I began volunteering as part of the XD (Experience Design) Advisory Group, with a focus on increasing UX representation within the RGD.

What experience/memory stands out for you?

I am really happy to have seen the RGD website get launched and am looking forward to getting more articles, events, webinars and programs that boost UX representation.

What is the most surprising/unexpected thing about volunteering with the RGD?

I’ve met so many passionate design professionals who are involved with the RGD in both working and volunteer capacities. It’s really heartening to see the community come together through the RGD to make it the best possible organization. It takes dedicated volunteers like these to build such a wonderful community of peers who can share knowledge, access resources and attend valuable, educational events.

What have you learned about the industry since volunteering for the RGD?

I was surprised to learn that the RGD encompasses more than just designers—it also includes project managers and developers. It’s great to see such broad acceptance of people working in the design industry in different ways. There’s something that any design professional can gain from the RGD.

Based on your experience volunteering with the RGD, how would you describe the organization's role in the industry?

RGD stands as a valuable community and resource for designers and professionals in UX. Advocacy and transparency for design professionals is so important especially as we enter a potentially new era of AI and how that changes the way we work—what is ethical, what should be expected of us and what is fair pay; not to mention the need for more resources in changing ways of working.

At the end of the day though, I find the events and webinars that the RGD puts on to be the most valuable—it's amazing that Members can search through the rich history of recorded events on the site.

What have you gained from being an RGD volunteer, and why would you recommend it to other Members who might be thinking of getting involved?

I think there may be an assumption that getting involved with the RGD might be too much work or that you’d be too busy. However, all the volunteers are working professionals as well, and everyone is very respectful of the fact that you may have a full-time job. People encourage each other to take on only what they can manage. The volunteers are here to support and lift each other up.

I would definitely recommend that if you feel like contributing to the community and helping make the RGD even better, you give it a shot. Small contributions can add up to a lot.