Jeff Wright | UX Design & Product Strategy

I have never been a fan of thinking inside the box or following the herd.

I have been leading digital design, product, and marketing for startups, agencies, and large companies for 30 years.

You name it, I've probably done it. Whether it's building a new team from scratch, consulting as a third-party, improving internal processes and cross-functional communication, or helping to solve tricky business, product, and design problems. Whether it's as a consultant or as a full-time employee, I'm driven by the problem space, the impact it might have on real human beings, and the opportunity to work with great people.

AOL

My career started in the early 1990's as the first in-house designer at AOL, leading iconic design projects that defined interactive design in its infancy. My role required me to be a designer, a teacher, a technologist, and an advocate for millions of users at a time when Katie Couric was asking, "what Internet was."

While at AOL, I worked hand-in-hand with brands such as the NFL, MTV, and Nickelodeon to design their first-ever online offerings.

In the Trenches with UX, Product, & Marketing

I led digital design for Arnold Worldwide, a top 20 marketing agency, working with clients such as DeWalt tools, the Washington Redskins (as they were called at that time), and Mobil 1 Racing.

I led UX and marketing design for iContact, an industry-leading email marketing company.

In 2012, I co-founded Sqord, a technology startup dedicated to making healthy active play more fun for kids. Sqord produced fitness wearables, backed with an immersive web and mobile game/social experience. I led the user experience, design, and product management.

Between 2020 and 2024 led the User Experience team for Relias, providing accredited learning and innovative compliance solutions for more than 11,000 healthcare organizations and millions of healthcare workers.

TechStars

I became a member of Techstars when Sqord was invited into the 2013 Chicago class. I have since been a mentor for teams in the MetLife Powered by Techstars program.

For my work with those teams, I am honored to be recognized as a Techstars All-Star mentor.

Countless Projects, Countless Situations

Throughout my career, regardless of any other pursuits, I have enjoyed lending my expertise to hundreds of organizations of all shapes and sizes as a freelance designer, writer, marketer, consultant, coach, and mentor.

I was the first in-house designer at America Online. I've built and led multiple UX and other design teams. I have worked on small-scale local web sites, digital promotions for Harry Potter, international authentication for Fed Ex, and an international database for landmine survivors. I have worked for political campaigns, a major trade union, traditional marketing firms, and countless technology startups with nothing but an idea. I've worked with software products and hardware products.

Most recently I've been fascinated by the rise of generative AI and its current and future impact on all creative endeavors.

Away from Work

I live in Apex, North Carolina. I am a dad to two amazing daughters, a husband to one amazing wife, and a human to a dumber-than-average dog (and a couple of cats who could not care less).

I enjoy a good movie, foolishly thinking the Washington Football Team will get its act together, off-road biking, kayaking and canoeing, woodworking, and writing.