Our story
We believe business software should feel like a well-designed workplace.
Hearthline Studio was founded to make business software feel less like a barrier and more like a useful tool. We value clarity, useful constraints, honest collaboration, accessibility, and measurable operational improvement.
What we stand for
Clarity
We cut through complexity to find the simplest useful path forward.
Useful Constraints
Good design comes from honest limits, not unlimited possibility.
Honest Collaboration
We tell you what we think, even when it is not what you want to hear.
Accessibility
Software that works for everyone is simply better software.
Measurable Improvement
We focus on outcomes you can see, not deliverables you cannot use.
The people behind the work
A small, experienced team of strategists, designers, researchers, and engineers.
Maya Ellison
Founder & Product Strategist
Maya helps leadership teams turn uncertain product decisions into useful, testable priorities. With over a decade of experience in product strategy, she brings a calm, evidence-based approach to complex business challenges. Before founding Hearthline Studio, Maya led product teams at logistics and financial services companies where she learned that the best software starts with honest conversations about what actually needs to change.
Graham Whitaker
Engineering Director
Graham leads resilient software delivery with a focus on practical architecture and calm collaboration. He has spent 15 years building web applications for operations teams, and believes the best engineering decisions are the ones that make future changes easier. Graham mentors our engineering team and works directly with clients to ensure technical choices serve long-term business goals.
Elena Marlowe
Design Director
Elena turns complicated services into interface systems that feel direct, human, and dependable. She has designed products for healthcare, education, and public-sector organizations where clarity is not optional. Elena leads our design practice with a strong belief that accessible design is good design, and that the best interfaces disappear into the work.
Priya Sutherland
Technical Product Manager
Priya connects operational goals, customer needs, and delivery detail without losing momentum. She has managed product development for B2B platforms and internal systems, always keeping the focus on outcomes clients can recognize. Priya thrives in the space between strategy and execution, making sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Caleb Hartwell
Staff Software Engineer
Caleb builds thoughtful web applications, integrations, and reliable internal platforms. He cares deeply about code quality, test coverage, and documentation because he knows that software is only as good as its maintainability. Caleb has architected systems handling millions of records for logistics and financial operations clients.
Rosalie Kent
User Research Lead
Rosalie finds the real friction in workflows and brings customer evidence into every important decision. She conducts interviews, usability tests, and contextual inquiries that reveal what people actually need versus what they say they want. Rosalie has led research for public programs and enterprise software where understanding diverse user populations is essential.
Marcus Dale
Accessibility Specialist
Marcus helps teams create digital products that work well across abilities, devices, and contexts. He audits interfaces against WCAG standards, trains development teams on inclusive patterns, and advocates for accessibility from the earliest design decisions. Marcus believes that accessible software is simply better software for everyone.
Tessa Rowland
Client Partnerships Lead
Tessa keeps engagements organized, transparent, and focused on outcomes clients can recognize. She manages project timelines, coordinates cross-functional teams, and ensures every client feels informed and supported throughout the process. Tessa has worked with organizations ranging from small nonprofits to Fortune 500 operations teams.