AnswerLab Bolsters Leadership Team to Meet the UX Demands of a Changing Market

AnswerLab, a long-standing leader in crafting customer-centric brand experiences, is making bold moves to redefine its future. The company has announced the addition of four senior executives, further strengthening its leadership team just one year after appointing Megan Malli as CEO.

The new hires reflect AnswerLab’s pivot from a pure UX research firm to a strategic growth partner—one that helps clients navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape shaped by AI, rising consumer expectations, and the demand for real-world business impact.

“In today’s dynamic market, we must be outcome-driven, not activity-driven,” said CEO Megan Malli. “These new leaders bring the vision, discipline, and heart to help us expand our role as trusted, strategic partners.”

Meet the New Leadership

• Tim Rumpler, Chief Client & Growth Officer
  With 25+ years at Accenture, VML, and Valtech, Rumpler specializes in enterprise-scale transformation and client-centric innovation. Known for leading high-performance teams, he brings a data-driven, collaborative mindset focused on measurable outcomes for Fortune 100 brands.

• Jesse Buccafusco, Managing Director, Strategy
  A veteran of digital product design and development, Buccafusco brings 15 years of experience aligning creative and tech teams to deliver meaningful business value. His strengths lie in making the complex simple—and actionable.

• Amanda Nizzere, Chief Marketing Officer (Fractional)
  Former Global CMO of Prophet and creator of the Female Fractionals podcast, Nizzere offers deep expertise in B2B marketing strategy. She’s particularly adept at blending brand and demand to drive pipeline growth and market differentiation.

• Tess Bricker, Chief of Staff
  With operational expertise sharpened during the 2024 sale of Huge Inc. to AEA, Bricker adds executive-level focus to cross-functional execution. She’s a steady hand for scaling during rapid organizational change.

A Strategic Reboot, Not a Cosmetic Refresh

This isn’t a vanity hire spree—it’s a strategic reshaping of the firm’s core identity. AnswerLab is now framing itself as a next-generation UX powerhouse: one that connects human behavior, emerging technology, and strategic insight to help global brands grow faster and smarter.

The expanded leadership team is designed to help the firm evolve beyond UX research, offering clients more integrated support across customer experience, innovation strategy, and business transformation. It’s a timely shift for an industry under pressure to do more with less—and do it meaningfully.

“Our clients are being asked to deliver faster and more holistically,” added Malli. “We’re answering that call by investing in leaders who know how to scale value at every touchpoint.”

The UX world is no longer about interfaces—it’s about orchestrating trust, impact, and seamless experiences in a fragmented world. AnswerLab’s leadership refresh signals a clear intention: to be not just a vendor, but a strategic partner helping clients adapt to change and stay ahead of it.

As the line between UX, strategy, and brand performance continues to blur, this kind of integrated, human-first approach may be exactly what the next decade of digital leadership demands.

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