Michelle Guarino
Go to Michelle's Linkedin pageEmail Michelle

Leading the Fintech and Payments Product Group at DAT, previously Head of Design at Outgo.

Outgo
Head of design
Product
Systems
Brand
DAY ONE:
NAME THE COMPANY
DAY SIXTY:
NAME, BRAND, VISION
DAY ONE: NAME THE COMPANY
DAY SIXTY: NAME, BRAND, VISION
I led the creation of a bold brand and go-to-market strategy that redefined design in the freight industry.
From naming the company to developing the visual identity, directing agencies, managing people, and scaling a comprehensive design system. Outgo's brand stands out in a space dominated by stock photos of aerial views of roads and 18 wheelers.
I led growth initiatives across product and marketing, laying the foundation for who we are and embedding it into every part of the organization. From communications and product strategy to prioritization and policies, Outgo's identity is cemented within every touchpoint.

Great design comes from pairing process with purpose, enabling teams to deliver experiences that balance speed, quality, and impact.

NO SYSTEM
NO PRODUCT
1 CUSTOMER
6 MONTHS
New to financial tech, trucking, and factoring, I joined Outgo as the first employee and dove headfirst into understanding our customers. I created a design system tailored to our size, developed an MVP focused on exactly what customers needed, and launched the first-ever product to combine factoring and banking.
This technology transformed the carrier experience and reshaped the industry. Since launch, we’ve changed the landscape of freight factoring, with every major player now working toward building similar capabilities.
Read how our technology helps carriers
RAISING $15M SO WE CAN KEEP MOVING
By showcasing our product, scale, and impact, we raised $15 million, securing our vision to build a financial platform that powers the economy and the people who keep it moving: truck drivers.
Partnering closely with our CEO, CPO, and board, I crafted the storytelling and pitch that secured the round.
Learn about our first raise
THE FASTEST FACTORING PRODUCT ON THE MARKET
With a relentless focus on operational efficiency, we built the fastest factoring payment platform in the freight market, delivering a best-in-class customer experience where funding happens in minutes.
Partnering closely with engineering, we invested in Outgo’s operational platform and balanced risk with automation and AI. These advancements transformed the way our platform operates, creating a seamless, unmatched experience for our carriers.
How fast? Near instant
THE BRAND, PRODUCT, AND PITCH THAT SECURED OUR FUTURE
After four years of building Outgo’s brand, product, and design system, the company was acquired by DAT for an undisclosed amount.
Partnering closely with the CEO, CPO, Board, Investors. I crafted the storytelling and pitch that secured the acquisition.
New parents, an even bigger vision

Builder of world-class teams, products, brands, and systems, guiding them from early ideas to enterprise scale.

Airbnb
Experience designer
Product
Systems
SAVING AIRBNB MILLIONS WITH CONVERSATIONAL AI
Partnering with AI engineers, I led the development of a conversational AI system, launching first with Helpbot in customer support. The initial release saved the company millions in annual support costs and established a scalable foundation for future AI-driven experiences across Airbnb’s customer lifecycle—from booking to notifications and beyond.
Helpbot: Launching rapid support in the pandemic
The technology behind Helpbot
LAUNCHING AIRBNB’S FIRST-EVER SAFETY STRATEGY
Focused on trust and security, I designed and launched Airbnb’s first safety initiatives, introducing urgent on-trip support and accessible safety resources to ensure everyone in the community knows how to get help when they need it.
Setting the foundation for safety
Yohana
Design systems lead
Product
Systems
Brand
10+ DESIGNERS
100+ ENGINEERS
3+ SURFACES
NO SYSTEM
I founded, designed, and built Yohana’s first design system, creating a strong foundation rooted in best UX practices, scalable structure, and a contribution model that empowered every designer to take ownership.
I led a small, focused team to scale the system across two products and marketing. Its success inspired Panasonic to adopt and expand the foundation across the broader organization.
Read more about Yohana

Design is not just about craft, but about creating exactly what’s needed for the moment while laying the foundation for the future.

NO WINDOW,
NO DOOR HANDLE,
PROTOTYPING FOR MY LIFE
In a series of unfortunate events, I was was locked in a bathroom with no door handle, no windows, and no phone. Using prototyping, ingenuity, I managed to free myself in two hours using found objects.
Don’t believe it? I’ve got the trauma and receipts to prove it.
BIGGEST ICK:
DISABLED BUTTONS
Disabled buttons are a pattern of the past. Designed for technology rather than people, they often block users without offering clarity, creating confusion and frustration.
We can design experiences where disabled buttons don’t exist, where users always understand how to complete an action rather than being told they can’t.
Got a scenario that challenges this thinking?
Let’s chat, I’d love the challenge and to solve it with you.

Above all, I value momentum: moving fast, learning quickly, and taking action.

Michelle Guarino
©️
Copyright 2025
Go to Michelle's Linkedin pageEmail Michelle