Heather S. Neff, Co Founder & CEO
Heather S. Neff, Co Founder and CEO
As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Heather Neff combines her lived experience as a disabled designer and her expertise in graphics and technology to drive innovation.
Guided by Heather's passion and commitment to accessibility, Equivalent has achieved remarkable milestones, including patent pending IP that dramatically enhances graphics for low vision and blind users. She has a diverse and vibrant team that shares her passion for engineering design software to revolutionize the way we create responsive digital graphics. Heather has earned recognition as a finalist for prestigious awards, including the Techpreneur EDDIE Award by Synergies Work (Entrepreneurs Dedicated to Diverse & Inclusive Excellence), the NC Biotech Venture Challenge (won $10K), and the NC IDEA SEED Grant in Spring 2024. She has completed the highly regarded Techstars and 2-Gether-International accelerator programs for disabled founders and is currently a Fellow in the esteemed Zero Project Program. In 2025, Heather took the global stage at the Zero Project Conference at the United Nations in Vienna, Austria, showcasing her groundbreaking work in accessibility and innovation. She was also honored as one of the Great Companies Top International Women Entrepreneurs of the Year 2025.
As a sought-after speaker, Ms Neff has graced numerous stages, captivating audiences with their engaging style, deep insights, and innovative approach to inclusive design. Her expertise spans across graphic design, web development and accessibility, making her a versatile and knowledgeable speaker on various fronts.
Equivalent is poised to continue its trajectory of innovation of what is possible in the realm of graphics technologies. Her unwavering determination, visionary leadership, and passion for digital equality, make her an inspiration to all who have the privilege of working alongside her.
Heather holds her BFA in Fine Arts, with Honors from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. GPA 3.9. Please take a look at her speaking example videos and review the list of her speaking engagements below.
In her spare time, Heather is a fine artist, creating Art Nouveau-inspired portraits of women using mixed media and gold leaf. She lives with her co-founder and husband, Paul Neff, in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, NC, alongside their three beloved cats.
Heather S. Neff speaking at the United Nations
“Netted by the Dancer’s Touch” 48x60” mixed media and gold leaf on birch panel.
Public Speaking Events
AXSChat Podcast by Antonio Santos, Debra Ruh, Neil Milliken: Connecting Accessibility, Disability, and Technology, May 2025
Fueling 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.
“Dear Heather: Congratulations! 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. ”