Heather S. Neff, Co Founder & CEO

Heather is in her fifties, and has a pixie blonde haircut, light skin and blue eyes.

Heather S. Neff, Co Founder and CEO

As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Equivalent, Heather S. Neff leads innovation at the intersection of graphics, technology, and accessibility.

Under her leadership, Equivalent has developed patent-pending technology that enhances digital graphics for low vision and blind users. In 2025, the company was featured at the Zero Project Conference at the United Nations in Vienna for its groundbreaking work in accessible design. That same year, Heather was named one of the Great Companies Top International Women Entrepreneurs.

A recognized voice in inclusive design, she regularly speaks on topics spanning graphic design, web development, and accessibility, known for delivering clear, forward-thinking insights to global audiences.

Explore Heather’s speaking highlights and learn how to book her for your next speaking event or collaboration.

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

Heather stands speaking at the United Nations in Vienna.
A truly excellent presentation. Wonderfully clear, precise and interesting. With a great, focused ‘call to action’. Well done!
— Thomas Butcher, Zero Project Ambassador
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.
— Lukas Engqvist, Teacher at Brobygrafiska