Michelle Shields

Background

About Michelle Shields

Michelle Shields | Researcher | Analyst | Product & Learning Science Leader I’m a lifelong question-asker with a background in cognitive psychology and a passion for translating human behavior into meaningful, data-driven impact. As a Senior Learning Scientist and cross-functional leader, I specialize in connecting the dots between research, product strategy, and business goals—turning complex behavioral data into insights that drive real-world outcomes. 🧠 My superpower is bridging evidence and execution. Whether I’m designing experiments, leading mixed-methods research, or analyzing behavioral data at scale, I deliver insights that are actionable, nuanced, and rooted in how people actually learn, decide, and grow. In product analysis, I’ve worked side-by-side with product managers, data teams, and stakeholders to Identify key drivers of user retention and engagement,Shape onboarding and feature rollout strategies, Prioritize roadmap decisions using evidence-based frameworks As a communicator, I translate technical findings into compelling stories. From executive summaries to interactive dashboards, I tailor insights to meet the moment—whether that’s helping a coach support a learner, or guiding leadership through a strategic pivot. 🤝 As a team leader and collaborator, I build alignment across research, data, and product functions. I’ve led initiatives that resulted in new data infrastructure, crisis detection systems, and org-wide improvements to how teams use behavioral data to make decisions. Tools I use: Python, SQL, Tableau, Retool, Databricks, Qualtrics, Figma 🧪 Methods I love: A/B testing, behavioral segmentation, predictive modeling, survey design, mixed-methods research 🤖 Emerging work: Applying AI and machine learning to human-centered problems, with a focus on responsible integration and real user value I'm passionate about designing for impact—whether that’s optimizing learner experiences, uncovering new insights, or scaling systems to better serve people. Let’s connect if you're looking for someone who thrives at the intersection of research, data, product, and people.