Yawen Gao

Internal Tooling | Workflow Systems | AI Architecture | Commercial Operations
Brooklyn, NY
(812) 369-9382
gaosiki@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/yawen-gao-nyc

Professional Summary

Business operator and builder who uses AI-assisted development to ship production-grade internal workflow tools and design commercial AI systems. Background spans B2B deal development — sourcing and presenting international brand partnerships to C-suite clients at major Chinese apparel corporations — and 5 years generating $3M+ annually in high-touch commercial operations at SSENSE, a data-driven luxury e-commerce platform. Independently initiated, scoped, built, and moved an internal workflow tool through formal IT, data, security, and compliance review inside a live commercial operation, replacing a $70K+/year third-party SaaS. Separately designed a three-layer commercial AI architecture (capture → operating intelligence → dual learning loops), documented in a three-whitepaper series.

Core Skills

Internal Tooling & Workflow SystemsWorkflow mapping, internal tool scoping and build, AI-assisted software development with Claude Code, Chrome extension development, stakeholder governance, rollout and adoption.
AI System ArchitectureMulti-agent system design, human-in-the-loop workflow design, decision-support architecture, expert judgment capture, commercial intelligence design (designed/documented; not yet deployed).
AI Deployment & AdoptionPilot scoping, use-case prioritization, workflow mapping, adoption strategy, UAT, enablement, success criteria, value realization, stakeholder alignment.
Product & OperationsPRD/TDD documentation, capability intake, roadmap sequencing, SOPs, process optimization, implementation planning, governance documentation, rollout planning.
Commercial OperationsHigh-touch sales, luxury clienteling, customer segmentation, revenue generation, retention strategy, issue resolution, KPI definition, attribution tracking.
Tools & LanguagesChrome extensions, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL, Supabase, Claude API, VS Code, Google Cloud Project, Quicksight, Athena, Excel, CRM systems, Adobe Creative Suite; English, Mandarin Chinese.

AI Projects

Capture layer

High-Touch Client Sales Tool: Workflow-Native Expert Judgment Capture

Chrome extension-based internal platform · SSENSE
Feb 2026
  • Independently initiated, scoped, designed, built, tested, and deployed a Chrome extension-based internal high-touch sales workflow tool from PRD to production in one week, using Claude Code to generate, debug, and iterate the codebase.
  • Rolled out to the entire high-touch sales department (20 advisors) with account and permission controls, admin functionality, centralized data storage, data logs, audit trails, and structured workflow records.
  • Replaced a $70K+/year third-party SaaS by recreating core workflow capabilities internally at zero incremental cost — running entirely on existing Google Workspace infrastructure — including product selection, client segmentation, outreach assembly, HTML/PDF export, team-shared libraries, and UTM-based attribution.
  • Converted fragmented manual steps into a workflow-native capture layer for product curation, client send-outs, team collaboration, and sales attribution.
  • Personally drove the implementation through IT, Data, security, and compliance review, creating PRD/TDD, SOPs, UAT/test cases, rollout materials, data-handling records, and stakeholder review documentation; presented to stakeholders and is actively pursuing official product ownership, maintenance allocation, and expansion to additional teams.
Operating layer

High-Touch Sales Operating Intelligence: Sales & Operations Agent Layer

Department-level multi-agent MVP architecture
Apr 2026 - Present
  • Architecting a scalable multi-agent operating layer with Sales Agent and Operations Agent workflows that assemble department context and prepare decision support across sales and operations use cases.
  • Built a working multi-turn chat interface integrated directly with the Claude API, with client data injected as context and intent detection for structured action output; designed and implemented the full PostgreSQL schema (5 tables, indexes) in Supabase backing the system.
  • Built the framework around a workflow spectrum from automated signal assembly to human-reviewed decision-making: AI gathers context, analyzes inputs, and prepares support while humans retain judgment over outreach, prioritization, approvals, and execution.
  • Translated capability intake into workflow and event design by mapping decision logic, exceptions, escalation paths, human involvement, success metrics, and event-record requirements across Sales Agent and Operations Agent workflows.
  • Structured the roadmap around repeatable pilot logic: map the workflow, isolate high-impact use cases, validate with users, measure adoption and business signals, and decide whether to scale.
Learning layer

Dual Intelligence MVP: Shared Product and Client Learning Architecture

Commercial intelligence architecture
May 2026 - Present
  • Identified execution-linked expert judgment data as a missing intelligence layer in retail recommendation systems: what professionals select, pair, prioritize, approve, hold, revise, and send inside real commercial workflows.
  • Designed a shared execution spine that connects client-facing workflow records, selected operating decisions, enterprise context, and attributed outcomes into reusable judgment memory.
  • Architected two compounding learning layers: Product Loop for product role, pairing, fit, and framing behavior; Client Loop for context-specific client and segment readiness patterns.
  • Defined the logical event schema for the Shared Execution Spine, including event identity, binding objects, execution context, attributed outcome fields, recipient-level outcome joins, and attribution confidence labels.
  • Framed other commercial functions as staged insight consumers of validated Product and Client Loop outputs, with reuse governed by confidence gates before broader workflow guidance or cross-functional adoption.

Professional Experience

Senior Personal Stylist

SSENSE, New York, NY
2020 - Present
  • Operated in a data-driven environment, using sales dashboards and client signals to identify trends, prioritize outreach, improve timing, and inform product curation decisions.
  • Generated $3M+ in annual revenue through personalized styling, client development, and long-term relationship management with high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, and stylists.
  • Managed the full client lifecycle across styling consultation, event coordination, post-purchase logistics, issue resolution, and ongoing retention, operating as the single point of contact across commercial and operational touchpoints.
  • Built a structured client tracking system from scratch to organize client context, outreach priorities, follow-up timing, and relationship records across a high-value book of business in the absence of adequate internal tooling.

Global Project Manager

International Brand Investment Corporation (IBIC), New York, NY
2018 - 2020
  • Sourced and vetted international designers and brands as investment and collaboration candidates for major Chinese apparel corporations including JNBY, EP Yaying, I DO, ANTA, and Ellassay Group; acted as the primary knowledge bridge between international creative talent and Chinese enterprise decision-makers.
  • Participated in early-stage deal development for cross-border brand partnerships, including involvement in the Self-Portrait China joint venture; conducted market-entry research and translated brand positioning into executive-level investment recommendations for C-suite clients.

Senior Sales Associate

Dover Street Market, New York, NY
2017 - 2018
  • Managed a high-value client portfolio including celebrities, stylists, and influencers through bespoke appointments, product advisory, and white-glove service.
  • Coordinated high-profile brand events, seasonal openings, designer luncheons, and exclusive activations with cross-functional execution requirements.

Education

Bachelor of ArchitectureSyracuse University | 5-year program completed in 4 years2012 - 2016
Trend Hunting | Brand ManagementCentral Saint Martins, London2015
Computer ScienceIndiana University Bloomington | Honors Program; Merit Scholarship2010 - 2012
Systems EngineeringShandong University2009 - 2010
Studio Art ResidencyChina Central Academy of Fine Arts2012