Heather S. Neff, Founder + Visionary
Heather S. Neff, Founder
Heather S. Neff is the Founder and Board Director of Equivalent, where she shaped the company’s vision in graphics, AI, and accessibility. With more than 25 years of experience in UX, design, and accessible technology, she used her perspective as a disabled designer to create products that changed the industry.
Heather led the development of patent-pending Smart SVG™ technology, which delivered scalable, code-based graphics that adapted in real time to users, devices, and accessibility needs. She forged strategic partnerships with global enterprises, including a flagship engagement with Atos, driving sustainable digital transformation at scale.
Under her leadership, Equivalent expanded its user base to more than ten countries during the MVP phase, graduated from Techstars, and earned the Zero Project Fellowship. Heather presented the company’s innovations at the United Nations and other major technology conferences, and in 2025 was recognized as one of Great Companies’ Top International Women Entrepreneurs.
She continues to provide strategic guidance as Founder and Board Director of Equivalent, supporting the company’s long-term vision in AI innovation, accessibility, compliance, and sustainable technology, while serving as a mentor and inspiration for the next generation of inclusive design and digital transformation.
Public Speaking Events
AXSChat Podcast: Connecting Accessibility, Disability, and Technology, May 2025
Smart Design at Scale: Making Visual Content Inclusive and Sustainable Path to Zero Barriers Podcast, May 2025
Small Business Growth with Incubators & Accelerators Webinar, National Disability Institute, May 2025
Human First: AI, Accessibility, and the Future We’re Building Linkedin Live Webinar Panelist, May 2025
The Next Frontier in Inclusive Design 2GI Accelerator, April 2025
Changing the World with Smart Graphics, United Nations in Vienna, Austria - Zero Project Conference, March 2025
Smart SVG™ - Transforming the Future of Graphics, Inclusive Design 24 Conference, September 2024
Empowering Equality for Digital Graphics - November 2023 AIGA Design Weekend
Smart SVG™ for the Digital Inclusive Age, CSUN Accessibility Conference, March 2023
Accessibility Personalization - Hassell Inclusion Webinar, April 2023
AXSChat with Neil Milliken, VP - Global Head of Accessibility & Digital Inclusion at Atos, September 2022
Adaptive Smart SVGs for Accessibility, Responsiveness and More, Some Antics Podcast with Ben Myers
Making SVG Graphics More Accessible for All Users, Accelerated Accessibility Podcast with Cam Beaudoin
The Power of Accessible SVGs, CHAX Chat Podcast with Dax Castro
John Slatin AccessU Conference 2022, Accessible Graphic Design Seminar, May 2022
Accessible Graphics, Hindsight Is 20/200 Podcast with Chad Bouton
DIY Tourism & Local Marketing Conference, Accessibility Basics For Tourism, 2021
AB Tech Online Seminar, Accessibility and User Experience, 2021
AB Tech Seminar Series, Branding - Beyond Logo Design, 2020
AB Tech Seminar Series, Branding: Design Your Company’s Style, 2020
AB Tech Seminar Series, UX Design - How to Design for Customers, 2020
AB Tech Seminar Series, Using SquareSpace to Build Brands, 2020
AB Tech Seminar Series, Newsletter Design and Automation, 2020
Blue Ridge Community College, User Experience Design, 2020
Blue Ridge Community College, Graphic Design, 2020
WordCamp Asheville, Graphics for Speed, Retina Display and SEO, 2019
WordCamp Asheville, User Experience: Designing for Your Customers, 2019
Western Women’s Business Center, Marketing Your Business - Branding and Logo Design, 2019
University of North Carolina at Asheville, Camp Girl Boss, 2018
Heather S. Neff Certifications
How To Design for Accessibility: for UX Designers (WCAG 2.2)
Disability Etiquette Basics Connect with Heather Neff and review her 29 endorsements on Linkedin.
“A truly excellent presentation. Wonderfully clear, precise and interesting. With a great, focused ‘call to action’. Well done!”
“So great to listen to your seminar. You are giving me a bit of imposter syndrome being so knowledgeable, clear and succinct. I am also impressed with how fluidly you comment on your graphics helping to lead by example. Some great resources, both affirming and embellishing my previous knowledge. ”