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The premier public safety tech conference is back! November 1-3 in Phoenix

“Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” - Douglas MacArthur

On this Veterans Day, we remember, honor and thank the millions of brave Americans who put duty, honor and country first by serving in America’s Armed Forces. Our country’s foundation is built on their courage and sacrifice and we must never forget them.

Prior to joining Axon, I graduated from University of Arizona on an NROTC scholarship and then served two tours in Iraq as a Marine Corps infantry officer. As a Veteran, I am humbled by the memory of serving with so many remarkable Americans. As the President of Axon, I am honored to work alongside many fellow veterans, likeBridget Sheffler, Product Designer and Albert Cushon, Sr Director of Infrastructure Engineering.

As the current Vice President for Axon’s Veterans Affinity Group, Bridget mentors fellow Axon veterans. “I feel like I have the best of both worlds” said Bridget. “I have a job I truly love with very rewarding work and I have the opportunity to regularly help fellow Veterans navigate careers in tech through the Affinity Group.”

I would encourage every American—and every company and organization— to protect and support our service members in uniform, past and present. At Axon, we are proud to support our military personnel in developing and deploying advanced technologies that will save and protect lives.

During my service, my unit was often in difficult situations dealing with a mix of insurgents and civilians. Several times after a bad outcome occurred I was left thinking there must be a better way. That’s why I’m so passionate about the work Axon is doing creating the tools and pathways to create better outcomes.

Many of us feel called by Axon’s mission to Protect Life. Our employees are building an incredible ecosystem of technology—including body cameras for transparency and a suite of software that accelerates justice—that empowers public safety agencies and communities to get everyone home safe. And I truly believe that Axon will create a TASER weapon that is so good and so effective that it will become the primary use of force option for public safety officers—something our CEO, Rick Smith talks more about in his recent op-ed published in Stars & Stripes.

To all of my fellow veterans, you have my deepest appreciation for your service to our country. We honor your sacrifices, both past and present, as we celebrate and recognize you.





As President of Axon, Luke Larson is responsible for leading the company’s day-to-day operations and overseeing all aspects of the company. Luke joined Axon in 2008 and has filled a variety of executive and management roles since then, becoming President in April 2015. Prior to joining Axon, Luke served two tours in Iraq as a Marine Corps infantry officer and was awarded the Bronze star with V for valor on his first tour.

BLOG: Our Commitment to America’s Veterans By Luke Larson

Our Commitment to America’s Veterans By Luke Larson

Albert Cushon is an engineer, a Veteran and he was a retiree. After retiring in 2018, Albert re-joined the workforce as a Senior Director for the Axon Site Reliability Engineering team due to his connection to Axon’s mission.

“There are nice-to-haves in technology and must-haves. Axon is a must-have.”

“Axon was different. The work they do matters every day. People can die if our products don't work—those are big stakes.“ Axon is always striving to improve not only products but also processes. Part of improving process is to become more “mechanized.” You can help more people when you build a beautiful and repeatable process.

“We want to get to the point where the developer can write a line of code, and it is tested, security scanned, packaged, deployed and ready to operate for customers in a matter of minutes.”

One of the things that excited Albert about leaving retirement was the opportunity to lead young talent. He specifically focuses on teaching his team how to read a room.

Albert also strives to show his team how to be great communicators who ask questions and constantly want to learn.

“I have learned that if you are stuck with a ‘book’ answer, you end up getting stuck faster and don’t know how to grow the same way,” he said. “This isn’t just about code. For software engineers, it’s so much more than that now, especially at Axon. We save lives.”

Albert credits Axon’s culture and entrepreneurial, team-oriented mindset as the reasons the company is able to put fourth extraordinary products. "Axon is different because what we do matters, and the people this attracts tend to be good and focused people."

If you want to work alongside people passionate about our mission to Protect Life, join Axon today!

BLOG: Army Vet Comes Out of Retirement to Lead Axon’s Site Reliability

Army Vet Comes Out of Retirement to Lead Axon’s Site Reliability

When Bridget Sheffler wrapped her Army career, she knew she wanted to use her experiences to solve complex problems in society. This led her to join a masters program in Human-Computer Interaction and Design from the University of Washington. When Bridget began to research potential employers upon graduation, she knew she wanted to work at an ethical company where she could leverage her unique background.

Bridget first learned about Axon while listening to the Built On Purpose podcast. Luke Larson, Axon President and fellow Veteran, was on the podcast discussing unconventional software in the military. Just weeks later, she attended an Operation Code event, sponsored by Axon and learned more about Axon’s products and mission to Protect Life from Anshuman Srivastava, Director of Engineering. After talking with Anshuman, Bridget knew she wanted to be part of Axon’s mission.

After talking with Anshuman, Bridget knew she wanted to be part of Axon’s mission to protect life and in October 2019 she joined the Real-Time Operations team as a Product Designer. Bridget couldn’t have imagined a more ideal company to work for, where she could use her vast experiences to help first responders and the public at their most critical moments. She now works on Axon Dispatch, a system which connects 911 dispatch calls to first responders with the focus on saving lives. “It’s a challenging product to build, but equally rewarding and I love it. Every second of it.”

“I feel massive amounts of empathy for our users, and I just want to keep officers safe.”

Bridget values being part of a mission-driven company. Recently, she traveled to Fresno, California to train police officers on Axon Respond and understand how the product acts in the field.

When she connects with peers in tech, Bridget has found many don’t understand the scope at which Axon works with public safety professionals. “It’s been eye-opening for people in tech to see our customers and realize how hard their jobs really are. Coming from a 24/7 operation environment while in the Army, I understand how crucial these scenarios can be.'”

Bridget has also noticed how hard it is to onboard new employees to public safety products like Axon Respond, and has taken initiative to improve those training processes. “There is a learning curve when people start. We have more complexity than most people realize. I’ve been working with the People team and Leadership to change our onboarding approach. We did just that; I was surprised that my opinion mattered and was heard. Any employee can affect change and that’s one of the things I love most about our company culture.”

As the 2021 and 2022 Vice President for Axon’s Veterans Affinity Group, Bridget mentors fellow Axon Veterans. “I feel like I have the best of both worlds” said Bridget. “I have a job I truly love with very rewarding work and I have the opportunity to regularly help fellow Veterans navigate careers in tech through the Affinity Group.”

If you’re looking for a new mission, join Axon and Protect Life!


BLOG: Veteran Continues her Lifelong Mission with Axon

Veteran Continues her Lifelong Mission with Axon

It's difficult to imagine returning from combat and finding a way to go back to everyday civilian life. Mike Rennie did just that three years ago when he joined Axon by finding a way to integrate his military skills with his penchant for operations. Today, he is the Director of Operations at Axon. He leads the Consumer Team on the TASER product as part of the Axon ecosystem of technology that, together, is on a mission to obsolete the bullet. To him, the mission is everything, and understanding how to achieve that mission makes him hop out of bed every day to make a material impact on society. 

About Face 
Mike started his career as a U.S Army Officer serving his country and leading from the front worldwide. He discovered what it means to be a servant leader in some of the most stressful situations of his life. He was stationed in Afghanistan for a portion of his four years in the Army and learned the types of life lessons that impact your outlook and value system. He wanted to apply those to business. The biggest lesson is that the Mission is more important than the bottom line. Mike likes to think the mission itself has a shareholder vote; it's that meaningful. While focusing on doing good and making an impact, leaders serve the teams they lead and achieve the objectives. 

Why Axon
After his Army service, Mike worked at multiple tech companies in leadership positions. While each company had a corporate mission statement, they didn't have a unified vision of doing good or impacting something more significant than the company. He felt that something deeper and more aligned with his own values was missing in his career. That led him to find Axon. It was the perfect intersection of tech and purpose that he was looking for. "Every day we come to work, every device that we sell, all the software we support, they all work together to save lives in our communities. That's a lot to let soak in. We save lives. Who can say that at most tech companies," he explains. Mike never understates the stakes that are at play every day. 

The Structure of Solving Problems
Axon is a company that encourages problem-solving from every employee. Ideas and solutions come from all levels and aren't reserved for certain people. Mike explains that the approach to problem-solving is baked into the Axon culture. When faced with a challenge, his team uses a structure called 1:3:1: one problem, three solutions, one recommendation. Everyone knows the expectation is to come to the table with solutions, and this structure allows each employee to be the leader of their ideas. They present the challenge to the group, discuss the possible solutions, and facilitate a conversation around their recommendation. 

Startup Meets Enterprise
Axon is a unique combination of startup mentality combined with enterprise-level innovation and size. The company was founded in 1993, so it doesn't act like the large tech companies that have existed for generations. "We learn fast, fail fast, and pivot fast," says Mike. "We're very adaptable with our ideas, our thoughts, and the company is set up to allow new people to add instant value." The company has an ethos of continuous evolution, which relies on new ideas from new employees as a source for fresh thinking. Every person can impact the future of the company. 

Finding a Balance
Physical and mental health is essential to Mike's productivity, and he explains that Axon makes it possible for him to have both. The organization's leadership fosters an environment of health by providing unlimited time off to employees--and actually allowing them to use it. Leadership takes time off. No one blinks if you need a day for whatever reason. There's more trust in each other and, frankly, a lot of dedication among teammates, making it possible to take time off for health, family, or because you need a minute. Full stop. This allows Mike and his team to take care of things in their lives so that they can be fully engaged with ideas, progress, and work. He also appreciates that the company provides tools for mental health on-demand, such as Ginger (an app for the whole family), gym memberships, and a natural disaster relief team. While some people might be surprised to see that on a list of mental health benefits, the truth is that getting into a community when they need you and seeing your positive impact up close can be mentally and emotionally rewarding. 

Mike is passionate about many things in life, and Axon's mission of protecting life is high on that list. He can achieve his professional goals while also achieving her personal goals of helping people. In a world with a great deal of uncertainty, the engaging, mission-driven culture at Axon gives Mike the comfort that we're all going to be safe and cared for.

Article: *Mission Possible:* Celebrating Unique Engineering Perspectives with Michael Rennie, Director of Operations

*Mission Possible:* Celebrating Unique Engineering Perspectives with Michael Rennie, Director of Operations

Companies like to point out that “ideas come from anywhere,” and at Axon, one of our biggest ideas really did. Meet Isabella Giannini, Senior Manager of Customer Loyalty at Axon. She started as a Sales Development Representative, but when Hurricane Florence hit, she saw an undiscovered use for Axon’s people and technology: They could help first responders and emergency teams see the situation from angles above, within and beyond, creating a central command center in hours instead of days and bringing in supplies using their fortified networks.

Isabella pitched the idea as benefiting both corporate philanthropy and social responsibility. It only took the leadership team days to agree. Enthusiastically.

Axon Aid was born in October 2018. In its three years, it has grown into part of our mission to help bring truth and real-time support to help bring truth and real-time services to communities in extraordinary circumstances. Since its inception, Axon Aid has three pillars of focus: emergency response, officer safety & support, and volunteerism. While many Axon Aid deployments cross all three pillars, some specifically touch just one or two. 

“We would ask questions like, ‘What do responders wish they had 24 or 48 hours before a hurricane or fire, or 24 to 48 hours afterward?” Giannini said. “And we were able to find solutions. For example, we started exploring how we could use drones to help scan areas to respond in life-saving time without taking human resources away from other critical roles.”

When the COVID pandemic hit, many responders faced shortages of PPE and masks. The Axon team was able to access needed materials, rally volunteers and get supplies delivered to first responders to help them stay safe during the pandemic. Public safety professionals still had to do their jobs as COVID cases soared and the team supplied 1.2 million masks to more than 1.5 million first responders. The Axon Aid team also worked with distilleries around the country to convert alcohol to sanitizer and procure masks from every corner imaginable. 

Every Axon Aid volunteer is a part of Axon. Many of our employee volunteers are former law enforcement, military and dispatch professionals. They have a strong familiarity with the incredible work first responders do and are called to serve those who serve. “Axon Aid volunteers, like the rest of Axon’s global team, truly care about people. Each of us feels passionate about supporting first responders and their communities every day and in real-time during crises,” she said.

“Although donating money can be very helpful, our mission is really to help the people. What better way to do that than by working next to those in public safety in great times of need?” she said. “It is a deeply personal way to get employees involved with our customers on a much deeper level. In addition, we actively help with recovery programs to help the community rebuild and manage resource centers.”

As part of Axon Aid’s emergency response efforts following hurricanes of the last three years, Aid Pilots arrive within hours of a request for Aid and are entirely self-sufficient. In addition, the team provides live streaming drones that can offer real-time aerial views and 2D/3D interactive maps of damaged areas for insurance/inspection purposes within days.


In partnership with the Salvation Army and other relief organizations, Axon Aid can help make rescue and recovery efforts more efficient and reduce response times which saves lives.

“This is so important because there are families who wait, sometimes years, to access aid when their homes are destroyed,” she said. “By increasing efficiency, we can help these families access aid faster in order to rebuild their lives and communities.”

Axon Aid has supported more than 8,000 agencies across 6 countries with the Aid program. In the 3 years Giannini has been with Axon, she helped build a strong core team of 25 pilots and rallied hundreds of employee volunteers.

“It is important to be obsessed in the sense that we think about our customers and communities as people first,” she said. “We work hard to build trust, and we deeply care for the people who are affected by disasters and other on-the-job situations, and there’s never a shortage of volunteers; it’s a beloved program.”

To onboard volunteers, Axon matches their employees to their specific skill sets. Similar to the disaster relief provided after hurricanes, Axon Aid partnered with the Salvation Army’s Emergency/Disaster Services to bring drones and extra manpower to recovery and assessment efforts after the Telegraph and Mescal fires in Arizona. 

“For example, if you are bilingual we put you on translation, or if you like to cook we put you in the canteen to help feed people,” she said. “Volunteers become even more passionate about their role when they can work with their strengths.”

“We are committed to supporting our partners and communities when they need someone to step up and step in to help. We don’t do it for the headlines. We do it because we know what it feels like to struggle and the relief you feel when someone wants to help lift you back up. You can't just credit one person with this program. It is a team of people who were instantly united by an idea and a cause.”


Bella started with Axon as a Sales Development Representative, in our Sales Leadership Program in 2018. She then moved to manage our e-commerce team, where sales grew on average 240% each quarter, and the team launched our first international shopping experience. Bella and her team ran the Got You Covered PPE campaign, which in turn inspired the future of Axon Aid.

Learn More: https://www.axon.com/aid

#ThisIsAxon #TechForGood




Axon Aid: Walking into the Eye of Storms

The career and life paths traveled by Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General, Medical Expert and Board Member for Axon and several other prominent organizations, were unexpected, not only for where life took him, but also the incredible success he has achieved. Dr. Carmona's determination and drive were fueled by his community and heritage, and have helped him rise to where he is today.

Dr. Carmona’s family hailed from Puerto Rico when it was still part of the Spanish Empire. His parents and abuelita (grandmother) moved to New York seeking opportunity, and he was the first of his family born in the United States. He grew up in Harlem in a time when most kids in that area played kickball in front of project housing, learned to swim in the Harlem River and experienced hardships as young children that many Americans don’t experience in a lifetime. Dr. Carmona's childhood included periods of homelessness, inadequate health care and frequent gaps in access to food, yet he didn’t see his family as having less than others. As Dr. Carmona recalls, “We didn't look at ourselves as poor because that's how it was for everyone on the block, and we were all just happy kids.”

At 17, Dr. Carmona dropped out of high school and joined the Army during the peak of the Vietnam War. He began his service as an infantryman, then focused on getting his GED in order to move into Special Forces. He succeeded, and became a decorated medic and weapons specialist during his deployment.

Though he didn’t realize it at the time, Dr. Carmona's experiences prepared him for success later in life and gave him insight into how the social determinants of health — issues that are inextricably tied to each life's trajectory, like race and poverty — contribute to the challenges people of color continue to face. 

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Carmona shared with our employees reflections on the lessons that have guided him throughout his life. 


“She took on this role, more than just my grandmother, to be more like a social worker or elder for the community. She may have been 5 feet tall and only 90 pounds, but she might as well been 7 feet tall. People listened to her, because she was always there for them.”

Contribute to Those Around You: Dr. Carmona's abuelita was integral to his formative years. She taught him to understand the obligation one has to those around them and their community. 

As Dr. Carmona grew, he began to notice those who fulfilled that obligation — his community who helped him in school, sent him letters in Vietnam and helped him further his education after the war. Through his family and community, Dr. Carmona learned to be a true healer and caregiver. He’s carried this lesson with him throughout his career. “We need to take it personally, as leaders, to help the next generation.”

Believe in Yourself: Dr. Carmona’s mother struggled throughout his childhood, working multiple jobs to give her children the best life possible. While she didn’t have higher education, she taught herself five languages and was well-versed in politics and the arts. Dr. Carmona's mother taught him one always has a choice in how they want to live their life. She encouraged him to always be learning, have integrity and remain true to himself, with a cheer that remained in the back of his head, chanting, “Go for it!”

He took these lessons to heart and focused on his strengths while recognizing areas for improvement. This mindset helped his career trajectory that eventually led him to become the U.S. Surgeon General for George W. Bush and later a valued Axon Board member.

Be Proud of Your History: Growing up in Harlem, Dr. Carmona remembers desperately trying to fit in with his peers by never speaking Spanish in public. His abuelita, on the other hand, took immense pride in her country. She wouldn’t accept his refusal to speak Spanish. Dr. Carmona recalled, “She made me speak Spanish. It was from her that I learned to be proud of my heritage.” She taught him about Hispanic explorers, language, traditions and cooking. As he moved through life, embracing his heritage helped him understand the needs of others who don’t look or sound like him.

Find the Focus to Complete Your Mission: The thought of higher education had always intimidated Dr. Carmona. “I was much more afraid of college than combat. I didn’t feel like I had the academic abilities to compete with ‘smart kids,’” he shared. 

But when he returned from combat, Dr. Carmona’s former high school counselors — who had kept in touch with him throughout his time in Vietnam — stepped in to guide him on his higher education path. They connected him with a former teacher who was now Dean of a college with a veteran program. Dr. Carmona enrolled and relied on the discipline and focus he learned in combat to excel in school. By the end, he realized being smart wasn’t what would make him successful, recounting, “I was never the smartest, but I was the most focused and most disciplined. I knew how to complete my mission.”

To pay for his tuition, Dr. Carmona held positions as a paramedic, registered nurse and even police officer. Each of these roles strengthened his resolve that serving others was his calling. So he applied to medical school and was accepted to the University of California San Francisco. 

And unlike the beginning of his undergraduate studies, he felt prepared: “This wasn’t stressful. Combat was stressful. Being shot at not knowing if you’ll live. This is a mere inconvenience. I had perspective that my peers didn’t.” That perspective and discipline paid off when he graduated top of his class a year early. 

Dr. Carmona’s life-long commitment to do public good eventually led him to join Axon’s board, a position he still considers to be one of his greatest privileges. He has seen how Axon’s powerful team moved the company from unknown with a single product to a global powerhouse Protecting Life across the world, with endless potential to do more good as the company continues to grow and innovate. “We’re fortunate to all be part of this great company that has no limits to the opportunities within it.”

Dr. Richard Carmona’s life is extraordinary by any measure. He overcame immense challenges and disadvantages to become a respected and admired leader in public health and safety. Dr. Carmona credits his success in part to those who lent a helping hand throughout his journey, and who helped him realize that when you accept where you come from, it can help you get where you're going.

BLOG: Completing the Mission: Lessons Learned from a Life of Service and Heritage

Completing the Mission: Lessons Learned from a Life of Service and Heritage

As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we sat down with our HOLA Affinity Group leaders, Andrea Cordero-Rivera,Associate Chief of Staff, and Maggie Duarte, Revenue Accountant, to discuss their careers, cultures, and how the two interact. HOLA, Hispanic Origin and Latin Americans at Axon, is our newest Affinity Group, dedicated to spreading awareness and celebration of this community.

What has been the proudest moment of your career?

Andrea: My proudest moment was when I made the decision to leave my country, family, friends and everything I’ve ever known to follow my professional dreams. Moving 2,940 miles away from home wasn’t easy, but I felt empowered and determined to do so for myself. This has shaped the way I perform at work and my constant desire to grow.
Maggie: I can’t point to one exact moment, but I do have two Master’s degrees. That’s definitely an accomplishment.


How have your culture and heritage shaped you as a person, including any traditions that hold particular meaning or importance to you?

Maggie: I grew up in a neighborhood that is predominantly Hispanic and on the lower economic spectrum. My grandmother moved to the US when she was in the 3rd grade. Her entire life, she always wanted much more for the younger generation. Raising me, she instilled in me that higher education was the gold standard. In my family, they encouraged me to continue education and they wouldn’t “let” me fail. Whatever it took, they were there to support me all the way.
Andrea: It shapes everything in my life, not only how I behave but also how I interpret, decide, and act in my social reality. My culture has been fundamental in keeping me close to my country, despite the pressures of assimilation while living in the US It is not only about keeping my rituals, norms, and interpretations; it’s also about keeping my feet on the ground every time something comes up. It is the constant reminder of who I am and where I come from.


How are your culture and heritage reflected in your work?

Maggie: As a Hispanic/Latinx person, we usually come from big integrated families. Because of this, I’ve learned to work in the space at Axon with no problem at all! On a serious note, I tend to over-compensate for things and stretch myself too thin to get something done. It’s not for me, but for the group/family as a whole is what’s important.
Andrea: Being Puerto Rican has given me a lot of amazing qualities like working hard, being resilient, and a true passion for collaboration. I was raised being told 'si se puede' and as a result, every project I work on I give my 200% and get extremely passionate.

What is something about your community you would love your coworkers to know?

Andrea: I wish every person knew how important celebrations and holidays are for Hispanic countries. In Puerto Rico we celebrate EVERYTHING, quinceañeras, when your prima comes back home from the US, and my favorite, Navida (Christmas). A typical party around Christmas time starts at 6 am with the preparation of the lechon (pork) and parranda music in the background. While that gets done we make coquito for the entire neighborhood. And the actually party starts at 6 pm, I have so many beautiful memories around this holiday. These gatherings are truly part of our culture.
Maggie: Usually that family is extremely important. I view HOLA as an extended family and I want it to succeed.

Why did you volunteer to lead the HOLA affinity group?

Maggie: As I mentioned earlier, usually Hispanic/Latinx people tend to treat a group or environment as a whole, as family. It’s something similar to “it takes a village...” However, instead of raising a child, we tend to look out for each other as a group, as family. My desire to not let the family fail, to make sure that everyone is included and recognized or supported was so strong, is what prompted me to step up.
Andrea: I am a born and raised Puerto Rican who moved from the island to Arizona after graduating college in PR and I knew the challenges that came with that. I wanted to have a community within Axon to share my traditions and learn from others. I decided to launch HOLA because I knew we had a huge community of Hispanic/Latinx employees who were also looking for that. Someone had to put on the boots and get the job done, so I did and I couldn't be happier.

What is the best piece of advice you have received over the course of your career?

Andrea: “Always do what that makes you happy.” When my mom told me that for the first time I was 10 years old and I’ve applied it to every decision I’ve made since then. I believe it’s extremely important to prioritize happiness and my mental health because without those two...who are we?
Maggie: Always be true to myself, no matter what. I also liked what Jose Villegas, Axon's Senior Director Commercial Controllership recently said during our first HOLA event, to not let my background be a disability, but to use it as leverage in my career.


At Axon, Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI) is central to everything we do on our mission to Protect Life — from our products to workplace culture. Axon supports employee Affinity Groups to serve as core pathways for engaging our employees in our JEDI work, while also fostering belonging and professional development for their members. We’re taking bold steps to build for racial equity, diversity and inclusion, and we rely on the diverse perspectives of our employees to help us drive success. At Axon, everyone is a part of the JEDI team — come join us!

Andrea Cordero Rivera is part of Axon's Leadership Development Program and currently serves as the Associate Chief of Staff for the President's Office. Her most recent experience was as a Product Manager for Axon Virtual/Augmented Reality team. She has a passion for changing the way people do things, making life easier and more efficient. She currently serves as a co-leader for HOLA.

Maggie Duarte has worked at Axon for over 4 years. She works in our Finance Department/Revenue unit as a Revenue Accountant. Passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion, she was a member of the Axon Allies LGBTQ+ Affinity Group for two years prior to stepping up to serve as co-leader for HOLA.  Maggie also serves on the Human Relations Advisory Board with the City of Mesa.

BLOG: Insights and Perspectives-Introducing Axon's newest Affinity Group Leaders

Insights and Perspectives-Introducing Axon's newest Affinity Group Leaders

At Axon, we place a high value on Product Design and user experience. We recognize how critical an intuitive and consistent user experience is to our customers’ and communities’ safety—including TASER devices, Digital Evidence Management, VR training, body cameras, and Records and Dispatch software. To learn more about how Axon maintains a competitive edge by valuing Product Design, we sat down with Daan Lindhout, our VP of Product Design & UX Research.

What sets the Axon Product Research & Design team apart?

Axon is working on meaningful problems around safety and justice that directly improve and protect the lives of people around the globe. Our products play a crucial role in getting people help when they need it and preserving truth. Working at Axon is an opportunity to apply your knowledge and insights for social good. It’s our mission to Protect Life that galvanizes our team of 45 Product Designers and UX Researchers, who are each passionate about improving communities around the world. 

The Product Design and UX Research team is well established at Axon. We have an Axon Design System that guides each new project and application with tremendous support from the larger organization. The entire company recognizes how critical our work is to Axon’s success in empowering our customers to keep communities safe. And the level of integration in our ecosystem, the ease with which our products work together, makes us an industry leader.

We start by ensuring we understand the needs of our users. Our UX Researchers conduct usability testing with customers across industries and use cases. Usability testing is an opportunity to get insight into customers’ workflows, observe them doing their jobs, and seek feedback on our product ideas. It’s a fantastic moment when we truly understand their perspective and experience, and then improve their experience through our products.

Our solutions are being used in pivotal moments when getting help faster and better can quite literally save lives. So, we prioritize ease of use, efficiency, effectiveness and consistency, with an emphasis on how we can achieve these tenants through connectivity—like a body cam automatically recording when sirens turn on or a TASER device is deployed.

Product design can be challenging work, especially given the complex social settings our products are used in. The Axon network needs to function seamlessly in the rapidly evolving, emotionally charged settings our customers encounter. It is important to note the scenarios our customers encounter differ. Axon products must flex to service customers around the globe, each with their own procedures, laws and social norms.

We’re growing rapidly, expanding our team to meet the needs of Axon’s expanding ecosystem of public safety solutions. Across the globe—from the US to Vietnam and remote—we’re hiring. I am really passionate not just about the work we do, but about the team we’ve built. There is nothing more rewarding than growing a team of driven individuals who are doing the best and most impactful work of their lives. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and am excited about the innovations yet to come.

Daan Lindhout serves as the VP of Product Design & UX Research at Axon. He brings 21 years of experience designing successful complex consumer and enterprise solutions and 14 years starting, growing and leading multi-disciplinary UX Design & Research teams and defining and executing on corporate product strategy. A Product Designer by heart, he has a passion for starting and building UX Design & Research teams and developing talented designers and researchers.

BLOG: Axon Keeps a Competitive Edge by Prioritizing Product Design

Axon Keeps a Competitive Edge by Prioritizing Product Design

At Axon, we recognize that supporting our employees' whole selves is critical to our continued sustainable success. We go beyond PTO, prioritizing emotional and mental wellness that meets employees' needs wherever they are in the world. This isn’t a this-or-that solution, it’s a yes-and solution.

With the impact of COVID-19 on our mental and emotional wellbeing, this is more important now than ever. The Kaiser Family Foundation reported 4 in 10 adults in our country have reported anxiety or depression symptoms during the pandemic, up from 1 in 10 in 2019. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline network received 2.4 million calls in 2020 — the highest in its history. And so in honor of Depression and Mental Health Awareness Month, we'd like to share our efforts to keep mental health issues in the foreground of conversations and focus on how we can help each other every day.

We’re In This Together
If there has been any silver lining to the pandemic, it is the growing acceptance of open conversations about mental health at home and in the workplace.

Dr. Richard Carmona, former Surgeon General under George W. Bush and a member of Axon’s Board of Directors, recently spoke about mental health during the pandemic, and he explained that we are still in the mitigation phase and we need to recognize it’s not just a physical health issue but also a mental health one. COVID fatigue is very real, and as we gain more control over physical health issues, we all need to focus on mental health — no one is exempt.

With our company-wide focus on employee mental health, we're in a better position to support our employees, communicating early and often to ensure they can thrive. We desire to be transparent and authentic with our employee resources, and continue to proactively look for opportunities to expand our offerings. We have added access to Weldon’s expert-led parent webinars and Empower Health's wellness incentive program as part of our updated healthcare benefits. We also offer access for employees and their entire families to an award-winning mental health mobile app, Ginger, which provides on-demand personal care in an app.


“There have been a number of events over this past year that have been emotionally, mentally charging. Our employees are trying to solve some of society's biggest challenges around safety and justice and that can be mentally wearing. We continue to evolve our mental health resources to best benefit our employees- including following up with what's working and what's not. Accountability at the top really matters. We encourage all employees to take a mental health day and label it a mental health day.”

 — Elizabeth Hart, VP People Ops

Ensuring Access to Mental Health Care
Recognizing and acknowledging that we all need help sometimes is the key to de-stigmatizing mental health.

Our motivation for partnering with Ginger has a lot to do with accessibility and availability, as we know a lot of our employees who are interested in support often can’t access on-site mental health care. With the Ginger app, they can instantly find support. Through real-time chats or video calls, our employees can get advice on how to maintain resilience, counseling on work life and therapeutic support for mental health, including stress, anxiety and depression.

Aimee Bevel, an Axon Quality System Specialist, used the Ginger app after her mother passed away in December of 2020. "My therapist with Ginger has helped me a lot. It works with a busy work schedule and provides reminders and a lot of helpful tools."

Other employees use the app for progress check-ins and utilize the chat function when they need a quick talk through particular anxieties.

"I was intimidated at first and didn't have any clear goals around what I wanted to accomplish, but she walked me through the process and created a very relaxed environment," a corporate recruiter with Axon explained. "Each week, we do progress check-ins and she keeps me on track with meeting my new goals. In addition, the text-based chat function is convenient and easy to fit into my schedule."

"So far in my time with Ginger, I've had help from their coaches on setting personal goals and tips on how to stick to them," one employee said. "For more serious concerns, the therapists are readily available to tackle any issues I want to discuss, whether it's work-related or otherwise. Having that kind of access through the app is reassuring, and I wish more companies offered this service to employees."

We Recognize Global Teams and Support Accordingly
All employees, regardless of location, have access to Ginger’s texting mental health professional function, online events and mental health resources. Axon locations span the globe, with offices in North America, Vietnam, the EU and Australia. As we’ve grown our teams, it’s always been important that our culture transcends borders. When COVID-19 shut our office doors around the world, the leadership team was determined to make every Axon location feel supported even when we could no longer be physically present together, including remote options, care packages and more. We know this sometimes means something different in various regions.

Ginger is a trademark of Ginger.IO, Inc.


ARTICLE: Making Mental Health a Priority at Axon

Making Mental Health a Priority at Axon

Over the past 3 months, we’ve received more than 150 RISE nominations recognizing incredible public safety Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Thank you for sharing your stories and voting for those who have made a difference. In all, nearly 17,000 community votes were cast to determine our top 10 finalists in each category.

Today, we are excited to announce our 30 finalists! To all of our nominees, we are honored to recognize you and share your stories. Our panel of judges is currently reviewing the finalists in each category to select our final winners who will be announced at Axon Accelerate. 

One of our goals at Axon is to encourage and support customers and communities making a positive impact on others. If you have body-worn camera footage or stories of positive or heroic interactions between your staff and the public, we encourage you to send them to video@axon.com and they will be featured in Axon social media and video projects.

Now, meet our RISE Award Finalists!

Officer Joreeca Dinnall - Hendersonville, NC
Officer Hubbard - Pottsville, AR
Sgt. Mark Tappan - Alpharetta, GA
Officer Cole - Killeen, TX
Officer Marshall - Cypress, CA
Officer Rhonda Wood - Gwinnett County, GA
Deputy Hearn -  Bell County, TX
Officer Travis Johns - Lincoln County, SD
Deputy Eddicus and Officer Kostohryz - Ramsey County, MN
Sgt. Anthony Shea - Orange County, FL



Santa Fe College Police Department- Gainesville, FL
Fond du Lac Police Department - Fond du Lac, WI
Province of British Columbia Police/ British Columbia Women in Law Enforcement - British Columbia, Canada
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office - Chambersburg, PA
Tye Police Department - Tye, TX
Walla Walla Police Department - Walla Walla, WA
Vancouver Police - Vancouver, Canada
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office - Lincoln County, SD
Redlands Police Department - Redlands, CA
Huntington Beach Police Department - Huntington Beach, CA



Out On Patrol - British Columbia, Canada
Building Bridges Program - Niagara Falls, NY
Police Activity League (PAL) of Waterbury, Inc - Waterbury, CT
Georgia K9 Foundation - GA
African Friendship Society - Vancouver, Canada
Orange County Department on Aging; Handy Helper Program - Orange County, NC
Boots on the Ground - Ontario, Canada
Garland Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (GCPAAA) - Garland, TX
Delray Citizens for Delray Police - Delray, FL
God's Gift, Inc. - Broward County, FL


As a reminder, here are the categories and prizes:

The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. Three Officer winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Axon Accelerate in Phoenix, Arizona 

The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. One Agency winner will receive a $7,500 grant for their police foundation, police nonprofit or community program 

The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community. One Community winner will receive a $7,500 grant for program funding 

Over the past 3 months, we’ve received more than 150 RISE nominations recognizing incredible public safety *Officers*, *Agencies* and *Community* organizations that have made an impact in their communities.

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