Serenity Thompson

Bio

The vision to see what's possible. The grit to make it real.

 
“Modern Mom.” Midday Live. ABC7 News. KGO, San Francisco, California, April 19. 2019. Television/Web.

“Modern Mom.” Midday Live. ABC7 News. KGO, San Francisco, California, April 19. 2019. Television/Web.

  • Serenity Thompson operates at the intersection of technology, business, product design, and systemic impact to build the foundation of modern digital experiences. As a veteran digital product and marketing executive, she spent the last two decades driving transformation, growth, and measurable results at the intersection of emerging technology and user-centered design.

    Serenity partners with executive teams, engineers, and data leaders to build trust and scale into every digital touchpoint. Her leadership is defined by a commitment to operationalizing human-centered design, whether she is scaling fintech platforms or deploying advanced automation to orchestrate massive shifts in digital adoption. She is an early adopter of next-generation tools—fluent in leveraging Generative AI, conversational interfaces, and secure digital identity ecosystems to solve friction-heavy customer journeys.

    An entrepreneurial strategist at heart, Serenity builds and mentors high-performing, cross-functional teams that deliver under pressure. Her commercial and operational strategy has successfully supported five funding rounds and multiple market acquisitions.

    By championing data, user experience, secure digital platforms, and ethical AI for the State of California, she currently (2026) drives large-scale modernization—proving that critical public infrastructure can be agile, accessible, and built for everyone. Outside of work you can find her exploring the world through adventure travel and voluntourism, seeking out local art and music, and appreciating nature through conservation.

  • A lifelong learner dedicated to driving systemic impact, Serenity is expanding her governance expertise through the Public Leadership Credential program at the Harvard Kennedy School. She earned her MBA with Honors from the University of San Francisco—founding the university's Entrepreneurship Club—and remains an active fixture in the USF community as a mentor to business students and a supporter of the Women in Leadership and Philanthropy initiative.

    Serenity’s operational toolkit bridges modern digital execution with agile product management. Her credentials span multiple certifications in Generative AI, Human-Centered Design, and UX Design, backed by a Scrum Master certification and deep expertise in full-funnel growth marketing.

    Bringing a unique perspective to executive communication and team dynamics, Serenity also draws on a foundation in the arts, having earned her BA from the University of California, Santa Cruz and trained at New York City’s Atlantic Theater Company Conservatory and Sacramento’s Capitol City Ballet.

    • Women @ DMV - Founder and Executive Sponsor (2022 - present)

    • Beta Gamma Sigma - Lifelong Honoree (2004 - present)

    • Screen Actors Guild (SAG) - Member (1999 - present)

    • The Porter Foundation - Board Member (2016 - 2025)

    • Women in Travel Technology - Founding Member and Co-Producer (2017 - 2022)

    • Women in Innovation - Community Member (2019 - 2022)

    • Girlboss - Community Member (2018 - 2021)

    • Create + Cultivate - Community Member (2017 - 2021)

    • Dean Street Society - Community Member (2016 - 2021)

    • Forbes Agency Council - Official Member (2019 - 2021)

    • Professional BusinessWomen of California - Board Member (2016 - 2019)

    • USF Graduate Business School Board of Directors - Board Member (2006 - 2009)

  • My Substack: Designing Trust

    “DMV Digerati” Podcast

    1. Episode 1 “Design That Delivers: The Power of Standards, Systems, and Style.” A look at how great UX/UI frameworks turn consistency into confidence.

    2. Episode 2 “Designing Services People Actually Love to Use.” Behind the scenes of what makes digital service design succeed in government and beyond.

    3. Episode 3 “Human-Centered by Design: Building with Empathy, Equity, and Impact.” Exploring how putting people first changes everything—from accessibility to trust.

    4. Episode 4 “Pretty Critical: Why Software Developers Need to Shift Their View on Aesthetics.” A candid conversation on balancing brand, beauty, and real-world usability.

    5. Episode 5 “The Digital Adoption Playbook: Turning Change into Habit.” Proven tactics to help teams, customers, and agencies embrace new digital tools.

    6. Episode 6 “Designing the Brand Experience: Where Emotion Meets Interaction.” How thoughtful design can elevate your brand from functional to unforgettable.

    • August 2026, “Bits and Bytes: California's Digital Identity Future,” California Government Innovation Summit hosted by Government Technology. Sacramento, CA.

    • January 2026, “Reimagining DMV Services: Digital Transformation for a Seamless Customer Experience,” Government Innovation California hosted by Public Sector Network. Sacramento, CA.

    • August 2025, “Digital Identity and Trust: Modernizing for Security and Service,” California Government Innovation Summit hosted by Government Technology. Sacramento, CA.

    • May 2025, “Creating a Secure Digital Persona,” hosted by the Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance Council. Sacramento, CA.

    • January 2025, “Fostering Strategies for Digital Inclusion and Bridging the Digital Divide,” Government Innovation Showcase hosted by The Public Sector Network. Sacramento, CA.

    • August 2024, “Future Lab: Beyond AI, What’s Next?” California Government Innovation Summit hosted by Government Technology. Sacramento, CA.

    • August 2024, “Making Digital Services More Accessible,” GovLoop Spotlights hosted by GovLoop. Sacramento, CA.

    • January 2024, “Making Digital Services More Accessible,” GovLoop Spotlights hosted by GovLoop. Sacramento, CA.

    • May 2023, “Broadband For All,” Essential Services, Civic Engagement and Accessibility Outcome Area Working Group. Sacramento, CA.

    • March 2023, “Citizen Buy-In: How Public Sector Leaders Can Navigate Digital Transformation to Ensure Public Confidence,” Government Innovation California hosted by Public Sector Network. Sacramento, CA.

    • June 2022, “The Future of Digital Transformation in California,” Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. San Francisco, CA.

    • June 2022, “Digital Transformation and Technology,” American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Region 4 Symposium. Salt Lake City, UT.

    • May 2022, “Enabling Remote Work with the DMV Virtual Office,” American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Region 2 Symposium. Virtual.

    • June 2020: Panelist, “Surviving and Thriving: Entrepreneurship During a Crisis,” USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy Virtual Symposium. Virtual.

    • December 2019: Moderator, “Relationships, Reputation and Relevance in the Age of Authenticity,” 2019 Women in Travel Tech Conference hosted by A23 Advisors. Park City, UT.

    • October 2019: Panelist, “Resilience in the Age of Digital Nomads: Curating Virtual Practices, Projects and Personal Experience to Transform Career Pathways at All Stages of Life,” Northeastern University Organizational Learning and Systems Thinking Program. Boston, MA.

    • August 2019: Panel Moderator, “Taking Professional Risks,” Young Women’s Professional Summit | PBWC and Bank of the West. San Ramon, CA.

    • August 2019: Moderator, “Beyond All Limits,” Young Women’s Professional Summit | PBWC and Bank of the West. San Ramon, CA.

    • May 2019: Guest, “Controversy to Conversation,” Dare to Differentiate Podcast. San Francisco, CA.

    • April 2019:  Guest Speaker, “Living Your Dream,” ABC7 Stage at PBWC “Unstoppable” Conference. San Francisco, CA.

    • April 2019:  Guest, “Developing the Leaders of Generation Z,” ABC7 News. San Francisco, CA.

    • December 2018: Guest Speaker, “Bringing Design Thinking to the C-Suite.” Women in Travel Tech Conference. Park City, UT.

    • September 2018:  Workshop Leader, "The Landlord's Guide to Digital Marketing." East Bay Rental Housing Association. Oakland, CA.

    • May 2017:  Guest Lecturer, "Strategies for Industry Innovation." Organizational Learning and Systems Thinking. Northeastern University. Boston, MA.

    • January 2014:  Guest Lecturer, “What Consumers Really Want from Travel Brands.” Mega Event 2014. New Orleans, LA.

    • Quoted and/or featured in various publications and websites, including yet not limited to: Adweek, Ad Age, Paper Magazine, New York Times, and New York Observer.

  • 2026

    • American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators - Improvement Through Efficiencies Award for “Driver Safety Case Management System Modernization.” The Driver, Attorney, and Law Enforcement portals are self‑service, time-saving applications that allow law enforcement, drivers, and attorneys to submit information, schedule appointments, and upload documents, automating processing for 20,000 unsafe driver cases each month and the administration of about 1.4 million sanctions each year throughout the state of California.

    • Simpplr Excellence Award - Best Digital Visionary for the DMV Intranet, “The DMV Driver.” Great technology strategy starts with people who see what’s possible. DMV digital services executive leadership was recognized for transforming the Driver using strategic platforms and AI capabilities to make management more accessible, information more actionable, and culture more connected.

    2025

    • Government Technology Best of California – Excellence in Customer Experience Award for “The Personalized MyDMV Revolution.” The new, personalized MyDMV Experience with The Garage feature integrated a range of technologies and human-centered design processes to modernize the way Californians interact with DMV services. The project combined personalization, modular technology, and rapid innovation cycles, while maintaining security, scalability, and accessibility to deliver a faster and easier DMV experience that is intelligent and inclusive.

    • American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators – Community Service Award for “Women@DMV Clothing Drive & Job Application Classes for Women’s Empowerment.” DMV team members who belong to the department’s Women’s Affinity Group donated 1,000 pounds of clothing, which included professional outfits and accessories. They also participated in an employment workshop to empower single mothers and those experiencing homelessness to improve their lives.

    2024

    • Government Technology Best of California – Innovation Serving the Public Award for “DMV Wallet and mDL.” The DMV developed a secure and convenient DMV Wallet that houses a digitized, mobile driver’s license (mDL) or identification card on a mobile phone, both iOS and Android. As part of a voluntary pilot program, this innovative solution allows as many as 1.5 million Californians to access their DL/ID card via a digitalized version on their mobile device, which can be used as proof of identity at select airport TSA checkpoint locations and participating convenience stores.

    2023

    • Gartner Eye on Innovation Provincial, State or Regional Award for “Open Source Mobile Wallet for Decentralized Digital Credentials for California DMV.” This application allows Californians to get their driver’s license or identification card on their smartphone for use at TSA airport security checkpoints and for age verification purposes.

    • GOV X Government Experience Awards for “Service Advisor for California DMV.” The DMV Service Advisor is an online self-service solution to support California residents on their terms.

    2019

    • Most Innovative Trailblazer in Travel Tech (Finalist, Pinnacle Awards by GBTA)

    • Achievement in Promotion of a Women-related Corporate Social Responsibility Project (Finalist, WiNiT Awards by GBTA)

    • Company of the Year - Hospitality, Travel, Recreation, and Leisure (Golden Bridge Awards, A23 Advisors)

    • Most Innovative Company of the Year (Women World Awards, A23 Advisors)

    • Diversity & Inclusion Campaign of the Year (Finalist, Platinum PR Awards)

    • Integrated Communications Campaign of the Year (Finalist, Platinum PR Awards)

    • Most Dynamic in E-Commerce and Hospitality Services (Global Business Insight Awards, A23 Advisors)

    • Startup of the Year (Stevie Awards, Bonwi.com)

    • Official Judge, PR World Awards

    2018

    • Woman of the Year, Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations (Stevie Awards for Women in Business, A23 Advisors)

    • Executive of the Year (Stevie Awards for Women in Business, A23 Advisors)

    • Best Travel Deals Site (Travolution Awards by Travel Weekly, Bonwi.com)

    • Best Technology Product (Travolution Awards by Travel Weekly, TripTuner)

    • Most Dynamic in E-Commerce and Hospitality Services (Global Business Insight Awards, A23 Advisors)

    2017

    • Most Innovative Company of the Year (Stevie Awards for Women in Business, A23 Advisors)

 
Brands I've worked with