Yawen Gao

AI Workflow Systems | Business-Side AI Deployment | Commercial Judgment Infrastructure
Brooklyn, NY
(812) 369-9382
gaosiki@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/yawen-gao-nyc

Professional Summary

Business-side AI workflow architect and systems builder who uses AI as a building layer: independently scoping, designing, and shipping production-grade internal systems from architecture to deployment. Grounded in systems engineering, computer science, and architecture, with 9+ years in luxury retail and e-commerce, including 5 years at SSENSE generating $3M+ annually through high-value client relationships. Independently initiated, designed, built, tested, and moved internal workflow systems through formal IT, Data, security, and compliance review inside a live commercial operation, replacing third-party SaaS, improving frontline sales team execution, and translating high-context domain judgment into reusable decision support.

Core Skills

AI Workflow SystemsAI-assisted workflow automation, multi-agent workflow design, human-in-the-loop systems, decision-support architecture, prompt/workflow design, lightweight system architecture, AI-assisted software development with Claude Code.
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, 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
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.
  • Supported 20 active users 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, 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.
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 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.
  • Designed the next phase toward workflow orchestration while preserving human ownership over high-context and approval-sensitive decisions.
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
  • Led international brand collaboration projects between Western designers and Chinese apparel groups, managing work plans, milestones, stakeholder alignment, and regional execution.
  • Conducted luxury consumption research, competitive analysis, and market-entry assessment; translated brand identity and market constraints into positioning frameworks and executive recommendations.

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