Gladys Rosa-Mendoza is a seasoned design researcher and strategist with over two decades of experience uncovering insights that drive innovation. Most recently, she served as a Pathfinding Researcher at Meta (Facebook), where she led foundational research for internal enterprise tools—helping shape the future of work at one of the world’s most influential tech companies.
Gladys began her career in educational publishing, where she co-authored and designed over 600 learning products. She later founded Curious Spectacle, a research and strategy studio based in Chicago, where she partners with organizations to solve complex problems through ethnographic research, participatory design, and visual storytelling.
Her work blends deep curiosity, cultural sensitivity, and systems thinking to connect human needs with product vision. Whether she's mapping content journeys, facilitating co-creation workshops, or navigating ambiguous problem spaces, Gladys brings clarity and energy to every challenge.
In it's 10th year, Front is a sell-out event, with a 1,000 annual attendees from across the country and around the world. Join us at the Front to share, learn, and be inspired to create amazing products.
