User Experience

As the Lead Front-End Engineer on Thrivent’s CMS platform team, I worked cross-functionally and across teams in-support of our multi-year project to adopt, mature, and integrate our new Brightspot CMS solution while safely decommissioning our old TeamSite CMS solution.

Our platform team executed tasks with grace and efficiency while growing tremendously in our work and building bonds that will last long after this project.

This project positively impacted several Thrivent online experiences and over 240k users/month, including:

• Thrivent

• Thrivent Credit Union

• Thrivent Art Collection

• Thrivent Church Financing

Marketing Thrivent

When marketing Thrivent at a Fall Recruiting Showcase, I was initially prepared to concisely present a convincing array of positive statistics to the St. Olaf and Carleton students. When I noticed other companies marketing themselves in the same way, I quickly assessed this new real-time data, considered how the audience was responding to these other companies, and made an informed decision to market Thrivent differently by telling a heartfelt relatable story of a recent intern’s successful journey to eventually become a full-time employee. So moved was the audience that many students spoke with us after most other companies had left, and the St. Olaf Director of Employer & Alumni Relations told our Thrivent recruiting team that we gained the greatest response from the audience.

Marketing the platform team

When interviewing a QA Engineer for Thrivent’s CMS platform team, I directly marketed our team by naturally expressing my authentic enjoyment of Thrivent’s work culture and overall ethics. Once on our team, this individual later shared with me that what I expressed was a key factor in convincing him to accept our job offer instead of going with a serious contender. So much did this impact him that he also shared this when introducing himself at one of our department-wide in-person events.

Marketing the platform team’s work

When marketing Thrivent’s CMS platform team’s work and progress to key stakeholders and executives during biweekly Demos, I acutely focused on a calm inviting tone, a concise casual delivery, and keen senses to quickly meet people where they were at depending on their facial expressions or vocal responses. I care for people to feel seen, especially when they are not the ones talking. Teammates and business partners alike have expressed appreciation for my approach.

Leveraging creative tools that included Figma, Gimp, and Inkscape, I advised on the technical feasibility of design strategies, collaborated with Designers on the most efficient approach to an optimized user-experience, fine-tuned design assets when necessary, and researched our internal user needs and dreams from a multi-disciplinary cross-section of our stakeholders.

Leveraging a tech stack that included HTML5/HBS, CSS3/Less, JS ES6, JSON, Yarn, and Java within IDE’s Visual Studio and IntelliJ, I architected 1,000’s of lines of code across over 70 customizable CMS web modules (e.g. header, footer, contact form) reused by over 10 online experiences.

With empathy and empowerment, I took care of over 100 code reviews and mentored 8 individuals in Front-End best practices.

With collaborative dedication, I further enhanced product quality by integrating design tokens from our internal design system, improving WCAG AA accessibility, advising QA Engineers on expanding Playwright Front-End code coverage, advising on user-experience strategy, and documenting key research takeaways.

One of the 1st tasks I took on was not assigned to me. During the initial setup phase, we encountered a local codebase setup issue that our entire Thrivent team and our Brightspot consultants were struggling to resolve. Leveraging the scientific method, exhaustive experimentation, and extensive research, I proactively stayed up one night to eventually identify the root cause Yarn build issue and determine a long-term solution.

As the Team Lead on Thrivent’s skill-based volunteer effort for Riverview Gardens, I supported 3 brilliant Thrivent colleagues and 2 inspiring Riverview Garden representatives in building a trusting relationship, carefully reviewing the website, discussing all key findings, and determining best next steps for Riverview Gardens in their website content and user-experience strategy project.

Everyone was a joy to work with, leaned into a growth-mindset, and respected each other’s area(s) of expertise.

In our website review, marketing-related items we noticed included:

• reconnecting MonsterInsights to Google Analytics for improved data-intelligence and user understanding

• adding a donate call-to-action near the top of the page for easier access/promotion of ways to support their non-profit organization

In our website review, design-related items we noticed included:

• prioritizing any key call-to-actions and information towards the top of the page to help users naturally connect faster with your priorities at the given time

• avoiding more than 3 clicks to reach anything on your website to help retain user interest and avoid user exhaustion

In our website review, engineering-related items we noticed included:

• accessibility improvements (e.g. adding aria-labels, adding a visible focus state)

• security improvements (e.g. updating wordpress plugins)

As the Marketing Lead on Thrivent’s 2024 Hackathon Planning Committee, I leaned into creative ideation and visionary empathy to craft daring fun promotions that helped uplift and excite both the committee and the participants of our 2024 Hackathon project.

To ensure cross-functional teamwork, I made extra time to sync all my engaging marketing strategy with another team member’s informational communication strategy - yielding successful campaigns across multiple digital channels (including word-of-mouth, email, social media, etc.).

Furthermore, I ensured team consensus on each content creation, analytics-informed marketing strategy, and brand positioning - helping collaboratively yield over 80 Hackathon participants and a diverse set of Hackathon executive judges from across the Thrivent enterprise in 2024.

After the Hackathon event, I conducted multiple user research surveys and feedback sessions - garnering deep insights on what managers and executives can do to further promote and empower prospective participants’ perceived ability to innovate in the workplace.

I leaned into my graphic design, voice-over, sound production, and video production skills to provide accessible, multi-faceted, multi-sensory engagement with prospective Hackathon participants.

I also designed (wrote and curated) content that held high potential for pop-culture intrigue (e.g. “2001: A Space Odyssey” film reference) and heartfelt meaning/purpose (e.g. “the power of your imagination“).

Leveraging technical tools that included Gimp, Audacity, and DaVinci Resolve, I created image, sound, and video content specifically formatted for compatibility across most user devices and typical internet connection speeds.

As the current Webmaster, Consultant, and prior active Baritone Vocalist with Sounds of Blackness, I’ve had the unexpected opportunity to help build the international brand, identity, and positive impact of this 3 X Grammy award winning group.

Beyond our professional connection, we share a familial bond that is deeply affirmed by (but not limited to) music.

Through all main forms of marketing (including user traffic data analysis, influencer, social media, email, and co-promotional marketing), I’ve collaboratively helped grow our fanbase to nearly 200k monthly listeners on Spotify and nearly 1k monthly traffic on our website.

Each of these stats are a human being with a heart, a life, and likely a hope for their path forward. Sounds of Blackness aims to steady their footsteps by promoting empowerment, self-care, and cultural self-acceptance.

I’ve also advised and collaborated on our brand, radio, and social media strategy - especially during new music releases, countdowns, events, and online store updates based on season and societal impact.

I’ve designed, updated, and helped maintain an empowering identity for Sounds of Blackness on our website.

Through Squarespace, Visual Studio, HTML5, CSS3, and JS, I’ve developed custom experiences that help our website standout and run smoothly.

I also coordinate and maintain the security of our various online, email, web, and social media accounts.

As the Winter Holidays Music Director during my time at Thrivent and C.H. Robinson, I’ve experienced the unexpected opportunity to promote belonging through song in the corporate workplace.

Through direct, co-promotional, influencer, and social media marketing, I collaboratively helped grow Thrivent’s annual Silent Night virtual production by over 30-40 internal musicians, enterprise-wide internal visibility, and over 130 reactions on LinkedIn (2022, 2021).

Similarly, I helped annually bring music and belonging to C.H. Robinson’s corporate work culture.

At the end of the day, we are all human and exist above-and-beyond our lives at work. Appropriately bringing more humanity and cheer into the workplace can dramatically enrich a company’s work culture and improve employee loyalty and retention.

I leaned into my singing, songwriting, and sound production skills to help provide a warm purpose-filled experience for the musicians and an inspiring hope-filled experience for the listeners.

I also designed (wrote) content that held high potential for peace and delight (e.g. custom Silent Night lyrics and uplifting phrases like “May our souls soar in song this winter holiday season!“).

As the Lead Front-End Engineer on Thrivent’s CMS platform team, I worked cross-functionally and across teams in-support of migrating Thrivent’s main website to our new Brightspot CMS solution.

Later on in this migration project, we encountered an accessibility issue with the inconsistent visibility of the focus states for our blue buttons.

After determining the root cause being the focus outline at times blending into the page section background, I designed a high-contrast double-layer focus outline to elegantly remain visible independent of any light or dark page section background.

To ensure the new design solution minimally impacted the pre-existing button code, I architected and tested a CSS3/Less-only button update using a double-layer box-shadow technique.

As the Lead Front-End Engineer on Thrivent’s CMS platform team, I worked cross-functionally and across teams in-support of migrating Thrivent’s Credit Union website to our new Brightspot CMS solution.

Throughout this migration project, the global multi-site page header was the most complex web module among the 70+ web modules. In addition to 3 variations, 3 themes, and 4 responsive breakpoints, most aspects of the header layout were completely customizable.

To ensure graceful continuity across breakpoints, I carefully designed a technically feasible top-left logo/name placement at every breakpoint.

To ensure the minimal amount of design assets needed to elegantly fit the changing layout throughout every breakpoint, I architected and tested an HTML5/HBS and CSS3/Less logo/name placement that uses the same single image for the “t“ (in mobile) and the “Thrivent“ (in desktop).

As the Lead Front-End Engineer on Thrivent’s CMS platform team, I worked cross-functionally and across teams in-support of migrating Thrivent’s Art Collection website to our new Brightspot CMS solution.

When starting the process for this migration project, we received a novel design requirement that the designer and our team could not find anywhere online. The designer wanted all H1’s and H2’s to respectively have a black or grey background from left to right.

After confirming the Designer would like us to invest extra time on this one, I continued consulting with the Designer and partnering on where I could adjust the design if needed during implementation.

After the team & I troubleshooted for some time and were beginning to accept this design requirement just was not technically feasible, I made a breakthrough.

By leveraging a combination of CSS3/Less “::before“, “repeating-linear-gradient“, and style variable techniques, the team was able to fulfill on the initial design requirement.

As the Lead Front-End Engineer on Thrivent’s CMS platform team, I worked cross-functionally and across teams in-support of migrating Thrivent’s Church Financing website to our new Brightspot CMS solution.

Halfway through the migration process, we encountered a need to upgrade our lightbox solution.

During the upgrade, I encountered new opportunities to further improve the web design responsiveness and navigation of our lightbox solution.

Due to pre-existing package dependency versions beginning to limit our JS library updates, I researched new options and leveraged JS ES6 and CSS3/Less to implement a new lightbox package dependency - basicLightbox.

Jennifer London, CSM, CPO - Recommendation from LinkedIn

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Elwyn on the Hackathon at Thrivent for four years. In the first two years, he quickly took the lead or joined teams to create innovative software solutions, always prioritizing the user experience, all within just one day! In the third and fourth years, he became part of the Hackathon core team, helping to organize the enterprise-wide events. Elwyn devised creative strategies to recruit participants through videos and internal online marketing. And his voice? Elwyn could easily be a professional narrator or voice-over artist for any video or podcast—it’s smooth and soothing. Collaborating with Elwyn is always a rewarding experience. He listens attentively and values different perspectives, truly embodying the spirit of teamwork.

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Andrew Kolb - Recommendation from LinkedIn

Elwyn and I worked together at Thrivent on the Thrivent Hackathon team. Elwyn is a thoughtful communicator who brought great ideas to drive engagement and inclusion for the Hackathon. He cares personally about the people that he works with and that shows up in everything he does. If you're looking for someone who leads with empathy, brings creative ideas to the table, and has an excellent voice, Elwyn is the guy for you.

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Chris Galante - Recommendation from LinkedIn

I worked with Elwyn on 2 transformational efforts at Thrivent. Those transformation efforts influenced a modern approach to a clients post login experience and encouraged innovation through executing upon a company wide Hackathon event leverage product and agile approaches to discovery and delivery.  Elwyn was a great teammate and thought partner through it all.  He even brought his humanities talents to the table to promote and execute upon the Hackathon.  I thoroughIy enjoyed working with Elwyn and would work with or for Elwyn anyday in the future.  Elwyn is a positively differentiating asset to any company!

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Lorrie Lean - Recommendation from Google

Top notch talent and professional. It is rare to find a business minded individual that has a great eye for detail. I am confident that the quality of his work is always displayed to represent the project and business in a positive and professionalism way. Elwyn is definitely someone that I recommend for business representation, promotions, creating websites, and building a great social media platform and presence. I am looking forward to future projects because there is I’m sure lots of hidden talent yet to be uncovered. Thank you Elwyn for all that you continue to do!

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Kelli Martin - Recommendation from LinkedIn

Elwyn is truly the ideal teammate to work with -- he is smart, a great problem solver, and endlessly considerate of others. Elwyn makes sure everyone's voice is heard and knows how to make good decisions that appeal to everyone in situations with competing priorities and a wide range of stakeholders. He's always willing to jump in and help to find a solution to any given problem, even when the issue falls outside his area of responsibility. Elwyn is an overall excellent teammate, and I love working with him!

Renato Mazziero - Recommendation from LinkedIn

Elwyn is an exceptional Engineer on our Digital Engineering team at Thrivent. His creative problem-solving skills and curious mind are great asset to any digital team. Elwyn’s artistic personality shines through in his work. He has this unique ability to think beyond just writing code and often focus on creating enticing and pushing for a multisensorial lens on experiences we could design. A fantastic team member who always goes above and beyond. I highly recommend Elwyn.

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Claire Cheng - Recommendation from LinkedIn

Elwyn provided a professional fundamental design for my team's commissions UI from ground up. He successful developed a creative, clean and also intuitive design following our company's theme/standard. All the team members are quite happy with UI look and impressed by his expertise.

Elwyn was always thoughtful and considerate, an excellent team player who can also work independently and do a fantastic job. I heard lots of good words on Elwyn in the company from different teams.

Elwyn is also talented in music and photography which brought lots of joy to company big events.

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Kristine McClenton - Recommendation from Google

Elwyn was great to work with. He responded in a timely manner each time I had a modification to the logo he was designing for me and produced what I wanted with professional insight.

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Sarah Hutjens - Recommendation from LinkedIn

Elwyn is a caring, empathetic team member. He regularly engages in conversations and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Elwyn is passionate about providing a good user experience and strives to find ways to bring innovation into the workplace. It was great to collaborate with Elwyn over the years a fellow agile team member!

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Kimberlee Karr - Recommendation from LinkedIn

I had the pleasure of working alongside Elwyn on Thrivent’s Hackathon, and I was consistently impressed by his creativity and vision. Elwyn is an exceptional ideas person who articulates his thoughts with remarkable clarity and grace. His gentle and thoughtful communication style brings a sense of calm to every meeting he attends. Elwyn genuinely cares about his fellow team members and consistently proposes innovative projects that showcase their unique talents. His creativity knows no bounds, and he is truly an artist at heart.

Amanda Anderson - Recommendation from LinkedIn

Elwyn shows up as a creative engineer with a deep passion for innovation and continuous learning. Elwyn's team members have spoken of him as a supportive and reliable cohort who is dedicated to delivering results alongside his partners and always has an uplifting point of view to offer. I've enjoyed seeing Elwyn grow in his career and influence both personally, through his dedication to his community, and professionally, through his ongoing learning of new digital engineering skills. He is courageous in asking the tough questions and resilient in maintaining persistence when meeting blockers.

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Pradeep Kurup (PMP, CSM, CSPO) - Recommendation from LinkedIn

I am pleased to recommend Elwyn Fraser, who has been an invaluable and reliable member of our team as a Front-End Development Engineer Lead. He consistently demonstrates exceptional technical and a deep understanding of front-end technologies and leverages them to deliver exceptional client experience.

Elwyn has a remarkable ability to translate complex requirements into elegant, user-friendly interfaces. His attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality code have significantly improved our product features. He stays up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices, which has helped us implement modern solutions that enhance our client experience.

Beyond technical expertise, Elwyn is a fantastic team player. He communicates effectively and collaborates seamlessly with designers and back-end developers, Product Owner, Scrum Master and the Engineering Lead, fostering a positive and productive work environment. His problem-solving skills and proactive approach have been instrumental in overcoming challenges and meeting tight deadlines.

Beyond his technical expertise, Elwyn embodies a strong commitment to community service. He actively volunteers for various causes, showing his dedication to making a positive impact outside of work. This passion for helping others not only reflects his character but also inspires those around him.

I wholeheartedly recommend Elwyn for any front-end development lead role. He will undoubtedly be an asset to any team lucky enough to have him.

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Steve Hale - Recommendation from LinkedIn

Elwyn is a creative web designer at heart, has a strong passion for code consistency and organized design architecture, and was an absolute pleasure to work with during his time at Thrivent where he was the front-end developer lead for the CMS Platform Engineering Team.

Elwyn's eagerness to learn new technologies was put to the test immediately after joining the organization as we needed to quickly learn and contribute to a new vendor-hosted CMS platform which included several programming frameworks which were new to Thrivent. Elwyn's strong trouble-shooting skills solved numerous challenges that came up and his quick grasp of the new framework technologies led to many front-end tickets being assigned, developed, tested and deployed during the project. Elwyn was the front-end lead developer for numerous site redesigns, module/template enhancements and entire site migrations during his time here, and also worked with a separate team developing similar company/brand styles for web applications to ensure consistency across both traditional web sites and web applications.

Elwyn does a great job presenting ideas as needed, including during our sprint demos where he is very clear and concise with the subject matter he is delivering. Elwyn clearly demonstrates a very strong knowledge and firm understanding of the web design space, thinks outside-the-box for complicated issues which require unique solutions, isn't afraid to ask big picture questions or challenge requirements as necessary (as in, "have you thought about this approach instead"), is eager to learn new things, always has a positive, can-do attitude, and any team would be extremely lucky to have him as a front-end developer!

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Kelly Stahn - Recommendation from LinkedIn

Elwyn is the calm, capable person you want to work with when developing new ideas. I worked with Elwyn as a designer at Thrivent, and his top-notch communication, documentation, and can-do attitude made every project a dream. From discussing new solutions, to exploring possible options and providing feedback, to creating outstanding and functional outputs, Elwyn delivers best-in-class development work. His commitment and thoroughness made replatforming Thrivent sites together smooth and painless, and his expertise at crafting responsive client experiences helped us connect to our customers more deeply. I look forward to working with him again in the future and highly recommend him for any role.

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Rachel Kilpela - Recommendation from LinkedIn

I've had the pleasure of working with Elwyn on and off for the past four years on a variety of web development needs. As a marketer (and someone who is not very familiar with the technical aspect of things), Elwyn always took the time to help me understand the solutions he was putting in place and explained them in a way that was easy to understand. He takes the time to truly understand the problem at hand and continuously finds new ways to solve for them. Working with him is always so enjoyable because he also takes the time to get to you his teammates on a deeper level and really cares about them and their lives. He's an outstanding teammate and someone I've truly enjoyed working with.

For more recommendations, check-out:

• LinkedIn

• Google