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 About Me

Hi, I'm a creative director and a DEIA consultant. I'm proud to be part of the deaf community. Born into a deaf family, American Sign Language has been a natural part of my life. I graduated from Gallaudet University with three Bachelor's degrees and later pursued my MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Alongside my passion of creating random stuff in my barn, I'm deeply committed to advocating for inclusivity. I had the honor of delivering a TED talk on inclusive design, and I also consult companies on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). Traveling the world for public speaking engagements allows me to share my insights and experiences with diverse audiences. 

My mission is to leverage my expertise to create compelling and consistent brand identities and experiences that reflect humanity’s vision and values. I played a pivotal role in establishing the first in-house American Sign Language interpreting agency in a corporate setting at Amazon. This groundbreaking initiative not only facilitated effective communication within the company but also served as a beacon of inclusivity. As a result, there was a significant increase in job applicants from people with disabilities, and the endeavor garnered widespread recognition, including a feature in Forbes. Presently, Amazon boasts a workforce of over 150 ASL interpreters deployed across various corporate offices and warehouses worldwide, thus fostering a more accessible workplace environment for all.

When I'm not working, I enjoy doing jiu-jitsu, fixing cars, and traveling the globe.

Puget Sound Business Journal 40 Under 40, 2021.

Amazon Is The First Major Tech Company To Hire Full-Time ASL Interpreters, 2019.

Amazon's Michael Nesmith on Being a Deaf Art Director, 2019.

Day 1 Blog: Open to Interpretation, 2019.

Why We Need Inclusive Design, 2017.

Mapping New Terrain, 2017.

Conflux: Empathy in Design, 2017.

Print Communications Category, 2007.

Atlas of Design: Volume 3, 2015.

The Anatomy of Nesmith Arms, 2010.

Otoscope: Imaging Phonocentric Planets, 2010.

Art Exhibition: Have a Nice Night, Sorry if This is Weird, 2010.

Fred A. Hilbruner Fellowship Recipient, 2008.