Jody Mante

Why this persona fits the audience

Senior UX researcher at a 300-person B2B SaaS company in Seattle. Runs 8-12 customer interviews a month, then codes transcripts and open-ended survey responses with Dovetail and spreadsheets. Shares weekly readouts with one other researcher and product managers.

• Age: 34
• Location: Seattle, WA, USA
• Occupation: Senior UX Researcher
• Income: $118k
• Education: Master's in HCI
• Company size: 300-person
• Years in role: 6

“The real challenge isn't just finding out what users want, it's understanding the *why* behind it, and then translating that into something the product can actually become.”

Jody Mante, 34, has carved a niche for herself as a Senior UX Researcher in Seattle's vibrant tech scene. From a young age, she was drawn to understanding how things worked and why people behaved the way they did, a curiosity that naturally steered her towards a Master's in Human-Computer Interaction. After a few years in a more agency-like setting, she found her stride at her current 300-person B2B SaaS company, where she's been instrumental in shaping their user-centered approach for the past six years. Jody thrives on the detailed work of qualitative research, meticulously conducting 8-12 customer interviews each month. She then dedicates significant time to coding transcripts and open-ended survey responses, often leveraging tools like Dovetail alongside spreadsheets to distill complex user feedback into clear, actionable themes. Her primary motivation is driving evidence-based decisions, ensuring that product strategy is grounded in genuine user needs. This involves close collaboration with product managers and her fellow researcher, with whom she shares weekly readouts, meticulously outlining key findings and recommendations. Jody’s approach is highly systematic and pragmatic; she values efficiency and clarity, always striving to make her research insights accessible and impactful. She sees her work not just as a job, but as a critical function in building better products, and is deeply committed to refining her craft. Her income of $118k allows for a comfortable lifestyle, enabling her to invest in her passion for trail running, travel, and continuous professional development, viewing these as essential components of a well-rounded and fulfilling life.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Jody's typical weekday begins around 6:30 AM with coffee and a walk with Buster. After her commute, she dives into reviewing interview notes or coding qualitative data in Dovetail. Mid-morning might involve a sync with a product manager to discuss recent user feedback. Lunch is usually a quick meal at her desk while catching up on industry newsletters. The afternoon could feature a customer interview, followed by synthesizing those notes or preparing materials for her weekly readout with the research and product teams. She aims to wrap up by 5:30 PM, often heading out for a run or to a local brewery trivia night.

Lifestyle

Jody lives in a modern two-bedroom condo in Ballard with her rescue mutt, a scruffy terrier mix named Buster. Her weekdays are structured, starting with a strong pour-over coffee and a quick check of Slack before her commute. Evenings often involve a run on the Burke-Gilman Trail or a yoga class. Weekends are for longer trail runs in the Cascades, meal prepping for the week, and catching up with a small circle of close friends, usually over board games or a casual dinner. She's mindful of her spending, focusing on experiences and quality over quantity, saving consistently for future travel and professional development.

Work life

As a Senior UX Researcher at her 300-person B2B SaaS company, Jody is deeply involved in understanding user needs for their enterprise software. Her days are a blend of focused research synthesis and collaborative discussions. She conducts 8-12 customer interviews monthly, meticulously coding transcripts and open-ended survey responses using Dovetail and spreadsheets to identify patterns. Weekly readouts with the other researcher and product managers are critical for aligning on insights and influencing product direction. The pressure is on to deliver actionable findings that directly impact the roadmap, ensuring her research translates into tangible product improvements.

Relationships

Jody maintains strong connections with her immediate family, who live on the East Coast, communicating via weekly video calls. Her close friends in Seattle are a mix of former colleagues and people from her running groups; they provide a vital support system. She’s influenced by her mentor, a seasoned UX Director at another tech company, and actively engages with online communities of practice.

How they decide

Jody approaches decisions methodically, prioritizing data and evidence. She researches options thoroughly, compares potential outcomes, and often seeks input from trusted colleagues or mentors to validate her thinking before committing. She values clarity and consensus when it comes to collaborative decisions.

How they sound

Speaks with a clear, measured cadence. Tends to be articulate and avoid jargon unless explaining technical concepts. Uses phrases like 'it seems', 'the data suggests', and 'to clarify'. Prefers directness but maintains a friendly, approachable tone. Avoids overly casual slang but is comfortable with industry-standard acronyms. When discussing research, she emphasizes 'actionable insights' and 'user needs'.