Eline Ermens

Global Head of Design & User Research Design Strategy, Innovation & Human-centred Design

Eline leads multidisciplinary design and research teams that turn consumer insight into product direction, customer experience and transformation. A strategic relationship builder and translator across design, business, technology and people, she drives change while supporting sustainable practices and business goals.

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Experience

  1. Global Head of Design & User Research

    Volvo Cars Stockholm, Sweden – Present

    Leads the Design Research practice within Advanced/Strategic Design and manages a team of 15. Connects human insight with business, technology and design, from early opportunity spaces to final design.

  2. Lead Design Strategist, Car UX

    Volvo Cars Stockholm, Sweden –

    Influenced the product roadmap and Volvo Cars’ sustainability and circularity initiatives as the company moved from hardware towards sustainable platforms.

  3. Design Strategy Lead

    Freelance –

  4. Associate Design Strategy Director

    McKinsey & Company Stockholm, Sweden –

    Led teams driving and scaling sustainable innovation, circular design and systems thinking globally, with a focus on apparel, fashion and lifestyle.

  5. Senior Design Strategist, McKinsey Design (formerly Veryday)

    McKinsey & Company Stockholm, Sweden –

    Led in-depth research and design projects for Millennials, Gen Z and Gen Alpha across the UAE, China, the US and Europe, with teams of designers, technologists, analysts and consultants.

  6. Senior Brand Strategist

    Essen International AB Stockholm, Sweden –

    Delivered people and business insights and strategic advice to brands, owned client relations and coached junior strategists.

  7. Senior Strategist & Researcher

    This Memento Amsterdam, Netherlands –

    Led qualitative consumer research and brand strategy for global brands, specialising in ethnographic and mixed-method research.

    Clients: Nike, Converse, O'Neill, Onitsuka Tiger, Hunkemöller, V&D, NOS Jeugdjournaal, Wieden+Kennedy, AKQA

  8. Strategist & Researcher

    This Memento Amsterdam, Netherlands –

  9. Project Manager

    Mediamatic Amsterdam, Netherlands –

  10. Project Manager

    Sid Lee Amsterdam, Netherlands –

  11. Manager of retail teams and stores

    Diesel Benelux –

  12. Sales associate and visual merchandiser

    Diesel Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands –

Expertise

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