Ashleigh Axios is a business owner and executive, international speaker, and board leader championing equitable business, healthcare, and civic design.
CURRENT
VOLUNTEER POSITION
To educate its students and the public in the creation and appreciation of works of art and design, to discover and transmit knowledge and to make lasting contributions to a global society through critical thinking, scholarship and innovation.
Rhode Island School of Design is a private, nonprofit college founded in Providence, RI in 1877—making it one of the first art and design schools in the US. Approximately 2,500 students from around the world are engaged in liberal arts studies and rigorous, studio-based learning at RISD (pronounced “RIZ-dee”), where they earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees in 22 majors. Each year more than 5,800 children and adults also access our specialized studio facilities through RISD Continuing Education courses.
Actively serves as a term trustee on the board, contributing to the Finance Committee, Executive Committee, Academic and Student Affairs Committee (co-chair in 2022, chair in 2023), Audit Committee, Communications Committee, and Social Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Trustee
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
2021 – Present
Deliver presentations at conferences, schools, and industry events worldwide on topics including leadership, culture, innovation under pressure, value-driven brands, inclusion in design and technology, design in government, and the intersection of design and culture.
Professional Speaker and Guest Lecturer
SELF
2025 – Present
PAST
Chief Experience and Operating Officer, Owner
Coforma
2019 – 2024
(5 years)
Coforma is an award-winning digital consultancy specializing in complex service design and product challenges within the government sector, operating remotely. Co-owned and led by Eduardo Ortiz (CEO) and Ashleigh Axios (COO and CXO), the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2022 Small Business Persons of the Year for the Washington, DC area.
In this role, Ashleigh defined and oversaw company Operations, Marketing and Communications, HR, and Design departments, driving strategic initiatives and fostering cross-departmental collaboration. Under her leadership, Coforma achieved an annual revenue far exceeding $30 million and gained notable recognition in the industry for excellence in government contracting, partnership-oriented approaches, and positive employee engagement.
Key Achievements
Vision and Focus: Co-established the mission, vision, and strategic focus areas of the company.
Brand Development: Led the development of the Coforma brand, including its voice, tone, design, and positioning.
Business Growth: Increased annual revenue by thousands of percentage points and expanded the team from a small group to over 150 employees within five years.
Organizational Development: Established vital business practices and standards in organizational growth, client relations, professional development, company-wide alignment, and employee lifecycle management.
Health Initiatives: Co-established and managed Coforma’s Health+ program, addressing high-impact health issues in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on projects targeting Sickle Cell Disease, Lyme Disease, and Long COVID.
Design Department: Launched and scaled Coforma’s Design department to 50 full-time employees across various practices, including product design, UX design, visual design, content design, design research, and design operations.
Impactful Projects: Oversaw significant collaborative initiatives, such as developing a platform to reunite families separated at the U.S. border with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), enhancing the U.S. Web Design System with the General Services Administration (GSA), modernizing Medicaid data collection processes with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and facilitating the Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force with HHS.
“On a much smaller scale I’ve been that energy in the room blazing change, fostering psychological safety within the community, and freely offering mentorship to those who ask. Please know you have been and continue to be an inspiration to me. As I continue to learn from your leadership, I will 100% support the culture you’ve fostered as it was the beacon that brought me to Coforma. ”
“You were in so many ways a glue that bonded us together. I couldn’t count how many folks have told me in their own words how your personality is what made them feel welcomed at Coforma. Beyond the talent, achievements, and accolades, creating a work environment where individuals feel comfortable being themselves is a legacy you should always feel very proud of.
Working with/for you has undoubtedly been one of the highlights of my career and something I’ll never take for granted. I’ll have a hard time not proudly bragging about how amazing my boss is to anyone willing to listen, but it’s something I’ll have to get used to.”
“I appreciate that you made sure the women in leadership calls were noted and given an opportunity to speak up. You are an amazing role model!”
VOLUNTEER POSITION
Advise on design and digital strategies to help Open City Advocates fulfill their mission of providing zealous individualized representation and mentorship of children sentenced by DC's juvenile court system and acting as catalysts for systematic improvements to the juvenile justice system.
Advisor
Open City Advocates
August 2016 – 2024
(8 years)
Board of Directors
AIGA
July 2016 – June 2022
(6 years)
VOLUNTEER POSITION
Served as a leader for AIGA, the professional association for design, dedicated to advancing design as a craft, a strategic advantage, and a vital cultural force. Made history as the fifty-fifth president, becoming the first individual of known Black ancestry to lead the organization in its over 105-year history.
ROLES AND key achievements
President/Chair of the Board of Directors | July 2020 – June 2022 (pandemic era)
Guided AIGA through economic downturns and social crises, fostering compassionate engagement during periods of uncertainty and stress for the profession, volunteers, and members.
Established new board committees, including the Audit & Ethics Committee, Community Committee, and Membership Structure Committee.
Implemented financially prudent updates to the organization’s membership structure, the first such changes in over a decade.
Championed initiatives aimed at promoting equity and positivity within the design profession.
President- or Chair-Elect | July 2019 – June 2020
Served as President Elect during Dana Arnett's final year, co-chairing the Executive Committee and the Search Committee for the new executive director.
Initiated AIGA's transition to remote work to enhance organizational resilience and relevance prior to the pandemic.
Facilitated the introduction and onboarding of the new executive director and provided ongoing support as a board partner.
Adapted in-person events swiftly during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce expenses and maintain engagement.
Board Director | July 2016 – June 2019
Chaired the multi-day AIGA Design Conference in Pasadena, California (2019).
Contributed to the AIGA Awards Committees for 2019 and 2020, responsible for reviewing nominations and presenting candidates to the board.
Led AIGA's national Racial Justice by Design initiative in 2016, addressing racial inequities in the design community through national and regional events and discussions.
AIGA National Board members at the 2019 AIGA Design Conference and Awards Ceremony chaired by Ashleigh Axios, April 6, 2019. (Photo by Frank Aymami Photography)
Head of The Studio
Automattic
October 2016 – April 2019
(2 years+)
Founded and led the company’s in-house creative agency, focusing on innovative marketing, communications, and brand identity solutions. Developed robust operational frameworks that ensured the timely delivery of high-quality creative outputs within budget constraints. Fostered strategic partnerships across the marketing division and various product lines. Provided mentorship to project teams in crafting product identities, articulating compelling customer narratives, and effectively connecting clients to solutions.
Automattic is a company on a mission to democratize publishing and commerce so that anyone with a story can tell it, regardless of income, gender, politics, language, or where they live in the world — with products including WordPress.com, WooCommerce, and Jetpack.
The Studio in Washington, DC February 2019 for an in-person team gathering. (Photo by David Wardrick)
Key Achievements
Brand Transformation: Directed the comprehensive redesign of the WordPress.com brand, including the development of the brand book and execution of the inaugural integrated marketing campaign.
Inclusive Design Advocacy: Chaired an online conference where industry experts discussed failures in creating inclusive experiences and explored actionable solutions for improvement.
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives: Advised on company inclusion practices and launched a widely-accessed open-source guide to fostering more inclusive design solutions.
“Throughout my career I have been inspired by many great people, Ashleigh is someone who has not only inspired me to do better work but has helped me to level up as a professional and a human being. Aside from being an amazing creative director, Ashleigh brings fun and realistic approach to her work. She motivates teams with her calm demeanor and gets down in the weeds when need be. I hope to be lucky enough to work with Ashleigh again.”
Advisor
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
2017 – 2019
(2 years)
VOLUNTEER POSITION
Served as chief alumni advisors to the RISD President, Rosanne Somerson, and her Cabinet. As a member of the President’s Alumni Advisory Council, advised RISD on issues impacting the strategic direction and programmatic initiatives of the College. Acted as an ambassador for the College within our broader communities.
Served with esteemed RISD graduates:
Lindsey Adelman, lighting designer and entrepreneur (NY)
Ilene Chaiken, award-winning writer and producer (CA)
Donald Wun Hing Choi, award-winning architect (Hong Kong)
Ryan Cunningham, award-winning producer and co-owner of Running Man (NY)
Yvonne Force Villareal, Art Production Fund (NY)
Mike Glancy, artist and faculty of RISD's Jewelry and Metalsmithing Department (MA)
Anthony Grant, private art dealer and consultant (NY)
Jill Greenberg, internationally renown artist and photographer (NY)
Michael Koch, Creative Director of LA Mills (CA)
Mary Murphy, VP of Design at Maharam (NY)
Mike Neff, product designer and artist at LightStep (CA)
Krista Ninivaggi, Founder of interior design firm, K&CO (NY)
Michael Rock, Founder of 2x4 (NY)
Marie-Louise Scio, Founder and EVP of MLScio Consulting (Rome)
Ian Stell, artist and designer (NY)
Rex Wong, Executive Director and deputy CEO at KS Group (Hong Kong)
James Wynn, CMO at Oxeon Partners (NY)
Editorial Board Member
Design Observer
October 2016 – February 2019
(2 years+)
VOLUNTEER POSITION
Actively contributed to the editorial board by sourcing and highlighting diverse voices and perspectives within the design community.
Design Observer publishes news and critical essays that connect design with various disciplines, including business, politics, science, journalism, music, media, history, and technology. The editorial board included prominent figures such as Sean Adams, Julie Anixter, Doug Powell, Christopher Simmons, and Design Observer co-founders Jessica Helfand and Michael Bierut.
Ashleigh’s piece, "To Be a Design-Led Company," is featured in the anthology, Culture is Not Always Popular: Fifteen Years of Design Observer.
Advisor
Leadfully
December 2016 – February 2018
(1 year+)
Provided guidance to emerging leaders at organizations such as Nike, SY Partners, and Planned Parenthood, focusing on cultivating optimism, humanity, authentic communication, and creative skills. Empowered these leaders to unlock their full potential and enhance their leadership capabilities.
Founder, Conference Director, Committee Lead
DOTGOV DESIGN
September 2013 – 2017
(4 years)
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS
Co-founded and co-led DotGov Design, an initiative of AIGA DC dedicated to connecting and empowering government designers, enhancing U.S. government design standards, and attracting talent to the public sector. Co-directed the DotGov Design School, a continuing education program designed to strengthen leadership skills for designers across all areas of government. Founded and directed the DotGov Design Conference in 2015 and 2016, creating an annual event that elevated community engagement among government designers.
President
AIGA WASHINGTON, D.C.
May 2011 – June 2016
(5 years+)
VOLUNTEER POSITION
Led the management of directors responsible for programming, communications, education, mentoring, the Design Continuum Scholarship, membership, and the AIGA 50 competition and gala. Developed initiatives to strengthen the local design community, support future designers, forge lasting partnerships, and highlight outstanding regional design. Previously, served as Vice President, Sponsorship Chair, Co-Programming Director, and Programming Coordinator.
AIGA Washington, D.C. is one of the largest and most active AIGA chapters in the United States.
FEATURED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Secured more than $50K in sponsorship funds.
Revamped the chapter's communications strategy, enhancing member engagement and outreach.
Ashleigh Axios speaks to AIGA Chicago in 2016 and highlights the AIGA DC board of directors. (Photo by Chris Mendoza)
Creative Director, Digital Strategist
The Obama White House
April 2014 – April 2016
(2 years)
Spearheaded the visual representation of the White House and the Obama brand, leading and managing the design team to enhance public engagement through effective, user-centered design. Simplified policy communication, making it accessible and relatable while elevating the White House’s public-facing platforms. Fostered opportunities for interaction between the administration and public, articulating key priorities through digital channels, and championing the role of design in effecting change within the public sector. Balanced immediate news needs with long-term strategic campaign solutions.
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Website Redesign: Led the modernization of WhiteHouse.gov (archived at ObamaWhiteHouse.gov), ensuring the platform met current responsive design and accessibility standards for optimal user experience.
State of the Union Innovation: Developed innovative digital strategies and designs for the 2015 and 2016 State of the Union addresses, engaging online audiences in fresh and compelling ways.
Enhanced Petition Experience: Revamped the We the People platform (archived at Petitions.ObamaWhiteHouse.Archives.gov), significantly improving the user experience for more than 5 million monthly visitors petitioning the White House.
Digital Achievements Catalog: Compiled a comprehensive digital catalog showcasing the accomplishments of the Obama administration.
Iconic Symbol Creation: Designed the rainbow iconography for the White House, symbolizing global celebration in response to the Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage across the U.S.
Read White House blog posts authored by Ashleigh in this role.
President Barack Obama has departure photos taken with Ashleigh Axios, White House Creative Director, in the Oval Office, Oct. 6, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
“Even in the fast-paced environment of the White House and running such a highly visible website like Whitehouse.gov, she was always able to deliver highly professional graphical work, including the iconic rainbow branding in support of marriage equality and a complete responsive redesign of the entire site. Her work aligned with the strategy, content, and technology aspects to make the products we shipped all the more useful. Her always insightful user-experience input helped our teams reframe our perspective where it should be: on the citizen.
At the time, things like user-centered design and user-experience were largely an afterthought among government websites, but Ashleigh made her great contribution to our larger effort of the Whitehouse.gov product and helped us lead the way for the rest of government to follow.”
Art Director
THE Obama WHITE HOUSE
March 2012 – April 2014
(2 years+)
Delivered comprehensive visual direction and digital strategy for the Obama administration, encompassing graphic and web design, content strategy, information graphics, and illustration. Provided design solutions for various policy offices. Collaboratively working across functions, developed a wide array of social media content aimed at informing the public about White House policies, humanizing the presidency, engaging Americans, and fostering interaction with the administration. Designed and occasionally coded digital campaigns to support major White House policy initiatives across web and social platforms.
Key Achievements
Policy Simplification: Created animated videos that distill complex policies into easy-to-understand, bite-sized, and shareable formats.
Maker Faire Branding: Developed the brand identity for the inaugural White House Maker Faire, highlighting the U.S. commitment to innovation and creativity.
Climate Change Campaign: Established the branding for President Obama's climate change initiative, including a comprehensive interactive infographic used for over four years.
Content Hub Creation: Designed and managed an online platform for shareable White House content across various issue areas.
Budget Design: Crafted the cover designs for the 2013 and 2014 United States budgets.
White House Application: Co-designed the first-ever White House mobile applications and their promotions.
Social Media Innovations: Co-created the inaugural White House Tumblr page and President Obama's official Facebook page.
Ashleigh Axios was promoted to Creative Director at the White House. Please refer to the previous section for details about her subsequent two years in this role.
“You couldn’t ask for a better partner on a small and nimble creative team than Ashleigh. She has the strategic vision and experience to generate big concepts and ideas, and the hands-on attitude, talent and skills to actually make them happen — and quickly. Ashleigh is able to juggle multiple projects for multiple stakeholders and make everyone feel like theirs is her top priority, and she made a dramatic difference in the productivity level of our team. She is calm under pressure and always has a smile and a kind word for everyone. Ashleigh is an asset to any organization.”
Principal
ASHLEIGH DESIGN
2002 – 2013
(11 years)
Created a variety of print, web, and interactive experiences for a diverse clientele, including American University, the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, GMMB, Vanguard Technology Corporation, AIGA DC, and the National Wildlife Federation.
Manager,
Online Editorial & Engagement
NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION
January 2012 – March 2012
(3 months)
Focused on content strategy, online marketing, project management, and user experience design.
Ashleigh's tenure at NWF was brief, as she accepted an opportunity to join the White House.
Interactive Designer
CORTINA PRODUCTIONS
May 2011 – October 2011
(6 months)
Developed and designed innovative interactive media for museums and public-facing sectors, focusing on education and entertainment, supported by comprehensive user research and design principles.
Key Achievements
Exhibit Design: Strategized and created eight interactive exhibits for The Henry Ford Museum's Driving America permanent exhibit, highlighting the automobile's influence on American culture.
Holocaust Education: Contributed to the design of the Hitler Letter interactive exhibit, prominently displayed in the Museum of Tolerance's Holocaust section.
Graphic Designer
OPENBOX9
January 2010 – April 2011
(1 year+)
Enhanced donor engagement for nonprofits and strengthened communication and brand recognition for clients. Involvement in print and web projects encompassed research and analysis, strategy, design, development, testing, implementation, training, and documentation. Worked across various mediums, including websites, brochures, logos, branding campaigns, and illustrations.
Designer, Account Executive
FLEISHMAN-HILLARD DIGITAL
September 2008 – December 2009
(1 year+)
Created innovative ideas, designs, and layouts for both print and interactive media. Engaged with clients and stakeholders to deliver presentations and pitches, providing guidance throughout project execution and transitions. Managed the hiring and scheduling of design interns. Supported high-profile client accounts, including AT&T, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, Novartis, and Visa Inc.
Designer, Student Development Manager
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN (RISD)
2005 – 2008
(3 years)
Trained and managed more than thirty students in year-round fundraising initiatives while supporting the school's development through design and organizational responsibilities.
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