Axon is excited to welcome our new SVP of Marketing, Kathryn Smith, to our leadership team. Kathryn joins Axon from Skullcandy, where she led global marketing efforts, developing and implementing their international expansion. Over the past decade, Kathryn has scaled global brands across consumer tech and sporting goods. 

Kathryn’s expertise in building compelling stories and driving global brand awareness will play a leading role in Axon's continued expansion as a global leader in public safety technology.

“I am so excited to join the Axon leadership team. I was drawn to Axon for its powerful and ambitious mission to protect life, and I look forward to leading and growing the marketing team as we continue to pursue this goal.” 

Kathryn holds a B.A. from College of Charleston, SC. She presently resides in Salt Lake City, UT.

What excites you most about working at Axon? 
Joining the Axon team was truly a no-brainer for me! Working for a company that’s transforming public safety through innovative technology is an incredible opportunity and a new challenge. I am excited to utilize my experience in marketing consumer goods to expand Axon’s global impact.

What do you foresee as the biggest marketing challenge in the public safety space?
To me, the biggest challenge is taking a brand that has been very successful selling to one type of customer and opening that aperture up to reach all types of public safety communities, both domestically and internationally. We’ve been so successful in establishing mutually beneficial partnerships with law enforcement, but we also have opportunities to serve the needs of adjacent industries and communities as a whole. Additionally, public safety looks and acts differently around the world, so we need to make sure that we are truly thinking globally with our marketing efforts to ensure the Axon logo holds the same meaning no matter where it's seen. One of our greatest opportunities is to be thought leaders and drive innovation and safety across the world. Axon is just scratching the surface in terms of who we market to, and that’s exciting. As marketers, we have a unique opportunity to tell the Axon story to build trust, increase brand awareness and further our mission to protect life. 

What are your 5-year goals for the marketing team and Axon in general?
My ultimate goal is to have a marketing team that the rest of the organization trusts, supports and looks to as valued partners within the company. I want every single person on my team to have the tools they need to drive this brand forward as leaders in transforming and modernizing public safety. As we start thinking about Axon in the next 5 years or so, we want to drive towards the ultimate goal of creating a recognizable and trusted brand- not just in the public safety space- but also to communities that our customers serve. Our vision is for the name Axon to be globally synonymous with our mission to Protect Life.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited for?
Right now, there are two things that I’m really excited about. Short term, I have the opportunity to build an amazing team and build trust as their leader and mentor. I am extremely motivated by what I can offer my team and alternatively, what they can teach me about being a part of Axon. Long term, I’m excited to bring the Axon brand to life for larger audiences, including a consumer audience that may not yet know our mission to protect life and the products we make to support that.  There is currently a major societal shift in focus on public safety and the communities they serve.  Each day, we have the ability to come to work to build and develop technologies and solutions for transparency and accountability. It’s such an exciting time to be a part of the company that is supporting both public safety and communities by developing products that ensure everyone gets home safe.  

To view open roles on Kathryn’s team, visit: www.axon.com/careers



College of Charleston is a trademark of College of Charleston State University South Carolina and Skullcandy is a trademark of Skullcandy, Inc.

Over the past few months, we’ve received 156 incredible RISE nominations recognizing public safety heroes, including the *Officers*, *Agencies* and *Community* organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and voting for those who have made an impact. Starting next week our panel of judges will begin to review the top 10 finalists in each category to select a winner.

ARTICLE: Axon Welcomes Kathryn Smith as SVP of Marketing

Axon Welcomes Kathryn Smith as SVP of Marketing

Over the past few months, we’ve received 156 incredible RISE nominations recognizing public safety heroes, including the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Thank you for sharing your stories with us and voting for those who have made an impact. Starting next week our panel of judges will begin to review the top 10 finalists in each category to select a winner.

Remember, you can vote to select the 10 finalists in each category through tomorrow (9/17) at axon.com/riseawards

Today, we’re excited to announce the judges who will review those finalists and select the winners. Drumroll please!

Former Chief of Police, Seattle Police Department

Chief Best served with the Seattle Police Department for 28 years, rising from patrol officer to become the first Black woman to lead the department. 

Among her many accomplishments as Chief of Police was the creation of the Collaborative Police Bureau, an SPD initiative to encourage community partnerships and engagement. She also facilitated record-breaking diversity hiring and recruitment within SPD.

Best has received dozens of awards for her contributions to community engagement, public safety, gender equity, and diversity and inclusion, including the FBI National Executive Institute Associates (NEIA) National Law Enforcement Ethics Award 2020. She was also awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, dedicated to recognizing individuals who selflessly contribute to society and uphold the ideals of America, an award read into the Congressional Record.

Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, Taclogix, Inc

Dan is a 27-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, where he rose through the ranks to serve as Chief Technology Officer, leading LAPD’s Tactical Technology Section and establishing its first Innovation and Strategic Planning Division.

Now, as Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Taclogix, Inc., Dan uses his deep knowledge and experience in law enforcement to implement enterprise-wide technology solutions for public safety agencies.

Dan is a nationally recognized subject matter expert in a variety of public safety and homeland security technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence for crime fighting, automated license plate recognition and digital in-car video systems, digital and analog communication systems and the development of mobile applications for operational and tactical use by police officers in the field.

VP of Community Impact, Axon

As Axon’s VP of Community Impact, Regina connects our public safety customers to the communities they serve by helping to build transparent, trusting and productive relationships. Before joining Axon, she served as Senior Program Manager of NYU’s Policing Project and helped to implement the Neighborhood Policing Initiative in the City of Chicago.

During her tenure as a Clinical Fellow at Suffolk University Law School, Regina developed housing discrimination investigations that led to the publication of a study in Yale Law School’s Journal of Law and Feminism.

Regina is a Senior Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity through a partnership between Columbia University and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Former Director, Arizona Department of Public Safety

ColonelMilstead led the Arizona Department of Public Safety from 2015 to 2020, where he established a track record of suppressing crime through innovative crime-fighting programs and technological advancements.

Since leaving the department, Colonel Milstead has served as CEO of Big Leadership, a coaching and consulting firm. At Big Leadership, he helps others in public safety learn the techniques for interpersonal relationships and open, transparent communication that have served him throughout his career.

Colonel Milstead serves on numerous federal, state, tribal, county and municipal law enforcement boards, councils, and commissions. He has been awarded the Torch of Liberty award from the Phoenix Anti-Defamation League, the Medal of Valor, the Rotary Heroism award, and the Medal of Lifesaving.


CEO & Founder, Axon

Equipped with a belief in technology and his vision of making the bullet obsolete, Rick launched our company and the original TASER energy weapon in 1993.

As the TASER device became ubiquitous in law enforcement, Rick then pushed the company to go beyond weapons tech toward a broader mission of innovation in public safety to help make the world a safer place. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a garage in Tucson to a NASDAQ-listed global market leader in energy weapons, body-worn cameras, productivity software and VR training.


ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Judges Announced

The 2021 RISE Awards - Judges Announced

Twenty-eight years ago, Rick Smith launched the first TASER device, the Air TASER. Along with a product came a mission: to Protect Life by making the bullet obsolete. Since then, we’ve expanded the Axon Network to include a vast ecosystem of technologies and tools for public safety. Today, we celebrate the strides we’ve made to make the world a safer place.

“Axon products represent how we can use innovative technology and training to save lives and make a difference. But our products are nothing without the people that carry them and keep us safe. Thank you for being part of Axon’s journey to make the world a safer place.” -Rick Smith, Axon CEO & Founder

Twenty-eight years ago, Rick Smith launched the first TASER device, the Air TASER. Along with a product came a mission: to Protect Life by making the bullet obsolete.

ARTICLE: Protecting Life for 28 Years

Protecting Life for 28 Years

We’ve received incredible RISE stories about public safety heroes across the nation, including the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in their communities. Now, it’s time to show your support by voting for your favorite stories!

Through Sept. 17, vote once a day for your favorite nominees. The top 10 finalists in each category will then be reviewed by a panel of judges who will select the final winners!

To see all RISE submissions, visit the gallery page at axon.com/riseawards


Check out some inspiring submissions below:

Perry County Sheriff’s Office; Perry County, PA

Just before Christmas last year, in Perry County, PA, Deputies Jared Charles and Andrew Bustin were responding to a county dispatch for a fire at a nearby service station. They were the first rescuers to arrive on scene. Employees of the service garage informed them there were people living in the second-floor apartments in the burning building. Without hesitation or concern for their own well-being, Deputies Charles and Bustin attempted to gain entrance to the building, but were unable to do so because of heat and smoke. They then saw the residents exiting the building onto the roof through a second-story window. The deputies parked their vehicle underneath the roof where the family of five and their dog had huddled to escape the flames. As smoke billowed from the windows, Charles climbed atop the patrol vehicle and handed the family members and their pets off to Bustin on the ground. Charles then found the badly burned occupant of another apartment outside. She had jumped from her second story apartment window. Charles rendered first aid until medical personnel arrived.

Vote and view the full story HERE


St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office

St. John the Baptist Parish, LA
The duties of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office go beyond its core responsibility of law enforcement. Local senior citizens hold a special place within the hearts of officers here, so enhancing their lives is an agency priority. There are 6,500 seniors in St. John Parish, with nearly 2,000 being war veterans. To provide assistance to this population, Sheriff Tregre created Protect Our Precious Seniors (POPS). In its first year, about 20 seniors registered for the weekly welfare check-ins from officers. Over the last nine years, the program has grown tremendously to directly help about 200 seniors in need and provide additional services to nearly all the parish’s senior residents. During check-ins, officers visit seniors in their home to assess overall condition, bring a meal and to have meaningful conversations. “Officers never look for recognition or monetary reimbursement for what they spend to help our seniors,” Sheriff Tregre said. “Their payment is the satisfaction and the blessing received from helping someone in need. Serving our senior citizens is our way of showing support and appreciation for all they have done for our community. All we want to do is make our seniors feel safer, have less stress, and be more positive about their life.”

Vote and view the full story HERE


Cedar Hill, TX
The Cedar Hill PD Police and Community Team (PACT) was created to strengthen the relationship between the community and the police department. The PACT unit dedicates their time to creating programs that build relationships directly with community members. The unit delivers food to elderly individuals every Monday, regularly assists with food drives in the community, puts on CPAAA and COP courses that engage community members, and host an annual Youth Summit. The unit also runs the Drug Take Back program, offers free home safety inspections, Lunch with a COP, Crime Watch and Prevention classes, and child safety seat assistance. In effort to proactively reach out to community members who might not seek help, Chief Reyes developed the Neighborhood Walk. During Neighborhood Walks, leaders from the Cedar Hill City Council, Police Department and the Mayor’s office walk door to door in order to better connect with the community. The response from the community has been so overwhelmingly positive that the walks were changed from quarterly to every other month.

Vote and view the full story HERE

As a reminder, the RISE Awards seeks to recognize the public safety heroes and community partners among us, in the following categories:

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

The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. 
- 1 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.
- 1 Community winner will receive a $7,500 grant for program funding

ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Community Voting is Open

The 2021 RISE Awards - Community Voting is Open!

There’s still time to nominate the Officers, Agencies and Community organizations that have made an impact in your communities! Axon’s RISE Awards deadline has been extended through September 1st.

To nominate, please visit: www.axon.com/riseawards

Deputy Charles Williams
Deputy Charles Williams from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was responding to a mental health-related call with an agitated subject. When he thought the subject was going to comply, the subject suddenly turned and thrust a screwdriver into the deputy's neck. This would have merited a use of lethal force, and the deputy had his hand on his gun, but he quickly decided to de-escalate the situation by deploying a TASER energy weapon. The subject is still alive today due to the deputy's quick thinking and decision to use a TASER.

Coral Springs Police Department
For 5 out of the last six years, (2020 programming was cancelled due to Covid), the Coral Springs Police Department has run a Summer Youth Program for underserved elementary-age students. Each summer, three days a week for six weeks, Coral Springs School Resource Officers provide activities, sports, mentoring and food for approximately 110 campers. Teens are also provided with the opportunity to volunteer and build community service hours before graduation. Hearing and eye exams are administered to students, some of whom have never been evaluated before.

Youth engage with officers in a nurturing environment that builds bridges in underserved communities. Through these relationships, Coral Springs PD identifies families in need of additional services throughout the year. These families receive Thanksgiving Baskets and Shop With A Cop opportunities. Every camper leaves at the end of the summer with uniforms and a backpack of school supplies for the upcoming year.

Out On Patrol
Out On Patrol is a peer support organization for 2SLGBTQ+ law enforcement members focused on community outreach, charitable work and education in the Metro Vancouver area.

For many Out On Patrol members, working in law enforcement is mentally and emotionally draining. Strong peer support networks are key to mental resilience and stress relief. Out On Patrol is not only dedicated to supporting members and providing peer support networks, but also uses their unique position as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to build strong, positive, inclusive connections between law enforcement and the greater queer community.

There have been great strides over the years to bridge the gap between the 2SLGBTQ+ community and law enforcement. Out On Patrol recognizes there is still work to be done and is proud to host events that provide the community a positive and welcoming space to interact with 2SLGBTQ+ law enforcement members.

To combat bullying and advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ rights, Out On Patrol is planning educational presentations for elementary and secondary schools. These presentations will provide a platform for members to act as positive role models for youth interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.


To see more submissions, visit the gallery page at www.axon.com/riseawards


The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. 


The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. 


The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community.


Nominations will be accepted through September 1st, followed by community voting from September 2nd through September 17th. A panel of judges will review the top 10 finalists in each category and select the winners.

ARTICLE: The 2021 RISE Awards - Last Call for Submissions

The 2021 RISE Awards - Last Call for Submissions

Women’s Equality Day holds dual meaning to women across the United States. It is simultaneously a celebration of women's suffrage, and a reminder of women's ongoing struggle to be seen, heard and valued as equals.

At Axon, we are committed to meaningfully engaging with diverse voices and actively seeking out different perspectives and experiences to further our shared goal of Protecting Life. We exemplify this commitment through building equitable processes, promoting internal mobility and ensuring employees’ whole selves are supported through thoughtfully designed benefits, compensation and affinity groups.

To learn more about Women at Axon, listen to these employee perspectives from across our organization:



“Axon has cultivated a culture where diverse experiences are celebrated and where every voice matters. I am a single mother of four. Being supported by Josh Isner and other members of the leadership team--and working at a company which allows me to bring my full self to my work--has been paramount to my success here." - Regina Holloway, VP Community Impact

“We live in such a fast-paced world that slowing down sometimes feels impossible. One of the many lessons COVID-19 taught us is the importance of work-life balance, especially as the lines between work and home have become dramatically blurred by working from home for such an extended period. One of the many things I’m proud to have implemented at Axon is encouraging employees to set boundaries and establishing partnerships with platforms like Ginger. Both of these initiatives prevent burnout and allow employees necessary space and time to prioritize themselves and their health.” - Elizabeth Hart, SVP People Operations

If you’re interested in joining a team where you will be valued and supported, come explore with us: https://www.axon.com/careers

At Axon, we are committed to meaningfully engaging with diverse voices and actively seeking out different perspectives and experiences to further our shared goal of Protecting Life. We exemplify this commitment through building equitable processes, promoting internal mobility and ensuring employees’ whole selves are supported through thoughtfully designed benefits, compensation and affinity groups.

ARTICLE: Axon Celebrates Women’s Equality Day

Axon Celebrates Women’s Equality Day

We’re excited to share that Axon’s EVP of Operations, Josh Goldman, has been selected as a member of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2021 40 under 40 class. Josh's selection to this esteemed class was based on his demonstration of strong, dynamic leadership and work shaping the Phoenix Valley into a better place to work and live.

Josh is a highly respected leader and mentor at Axon. When the pandemic struck, he led Axon’s COVID-19 response plan focused on safety and growth, including joining forces to support our One Million Masks Initiative which committed over $1.7 million for personal protective equipment for first responders facing severe PPE shortages. Over 100 employees joined forces to hand pack and ship more than 1 million masks to 7,000+ agencies across all 50 states and 5+ countries. Josh not only maintained Axon’s business operations, but propelled the business forward during a time when so many other companies struggled due to the pandemic. And importantly, he doesn’t take credit for this; he attributes his successes to his team.

Josh believes a solid framework for company success begins with bringing the right people on board and empowering them with the tools necessary to succeed. He believes the best leaders ask questions, listen to understand what resources are needed and rely on their teams to guide them. He places an emphasis on empowering his people, and as a veteran, Josh actively mentors other vets—both here at Axon and externally.

We’re proud of all Josh has accomplished, and are excited to see him continue to develop and grow. Please join us in celebrating this moment with Josh!


What brought you to Axon?
After serving in the military, I was drawn to Axon’s mission to protect life. I am passionate about this mission and our vision to ensure everyone gets home safe. I want to help make a positive difference in the world and leave it a better place for my daughter, and at Axon, I know we are actually making an impact.

What’s your leadership style?
I am a firm believer in leading from the front. As leaders, our job is to establish the framework and vision for the company, then find the right people to bring on board. But it doesn’t end there. We need to empower and provide them with the right tools they need to succeed - whether that’s mentorship, being a sounding board or encouraging them to take risks. At Axon we are doing incredible things. We have a big vision and to succeed we are taking moon shots. With that comes a high bar of talent and making sure that leadership is not only supporting the operations, visions and metrics of the company, but also making sure teams have the freedom to take the lead.

What are you most excited about right now?
I am really excited about international expansion. With the technology strides that Axon has taken in the U.S., we’ve shown the world what our products can do. We are focusing on breaking down barriers with transparency and the tough conversations that need to be had, and we continue to give public safety around the world different ways and tools to deal with critical situations so that they can de-escalate safety and effectively.

Can you tell us about a powerful moment in your life that helped shape where you are today?
While in the Marine Corps, I served two deployment tours and was no stranger to seeing the daily hardships and struggles that war and conflict brought upon those around me. While on tour in Africa, we were stationed in a difficult part of the country that was struggling due to constant conflict and economic suffering. One day, we met a town elder, who although surrounded by hardship and chaps, had the most positive and inspiring attitude that I still think about to this day. It’s a constant reminder of the power of the human spirit; that although a situation may seem insurmountably difficult, with the right attitude and perspective you can change the world and those around you.

What organizations in Arizona are you involved in and passionate about?
As a veteran, I mentor other transitioning veterans both within Axon as well as within the community as a part of several USMC charities and organizations. I’ve participated in Arizona’s “Vet Talks,” similar to TED Talks, which feature presentations from military professionals who have transitioned into civilian life in partnership with several AZ companies. I also give my time to basset hound animal rescue organizations.

What advice you would give your 18-year-old self?
First, to slow down and get the most out of life’s journey, don’t be in such a rush to get to the finish line - it doesn’t exist. Second, to chase the right experiences to round out your skillset and never lose sight of the people you lead and those on your team, as they are the ones that matter most.


Josh joined Axon as VP of Operations in 2017 and leads supply chain, quality, manufacturing, global facilities, and international operations. Prior to Axon, Josh was a managing partner at Logistics Delivered, as well as VP of Operations at Ruan Transportation Management Systems, where he excelled in strategic enterprise-wide leadership and managed P&L/business development for operations across the continental U.S. Josh began his career as a Marine Corps Logistics/Supply Officer serving two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado and an M.B.A. from the University of Redlands with advanced study at the University of Cambridge Institute of Economic and Political Studies in the U.K.

To learn more about joining Axon’s team, visit: www.axon.com/careers

Phoenix Business Journal is a trademark of American City Business Journals, Ruan is a trademark of Ruan Leasing Company, University of Cambridge is a trademark of Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of University of Cambridge, University of Colorado is a service mark of The Regents of the University of Colorado and University of Redlands is a service mark of University of Redlands Corporation California.

We’re excited to share that Axon’s EVP of Operations, Josh Goldman, has been selected as a member of the Phoenix Business Journal’s 2021 40 under 40 class. Josh's selection to this esteemed class was based on his demonstration of strong, dynamic leadership and work shaping the Phoenix Valley into a better place to work and live.

ARTICLE: Arizona's 40 Under 40

Josh Goldman: Arizona’s 40 Under 40

At Axon, we're incredibly proud to have so many heroic customers doing inspiring work in the world. The RISE Awards were developed to help highlight those untold stories of the everyday heroes among us. From the individual officers who put their lives on the line each day, to public safety agencies who work tirelessly to protect and enhance their communities, to community organizations who work hand in hand with public safety leaders to build a better future, we look forward to highlighting these outstanding partners through this year's RISE Awards!

There are three RISE Award categories:

The RISE Officer award honors three officers who have saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field. 

The RISE Agency award recognizes a department for making great strides in building up their community. 

The RISE Community award honors a community program working hand in hand with law enforcement to benefit their local community.

"Axon’s RISE Awards showcase the extraordinary courage, compassion and dedication to community demonstrated by officers and agencies across the country,” said Axon CEO and founder Rick Smith. “Our hope is that the stories of heroism and valor highlighted through these awards will inspire others as much as they inspire us."

Visit axon.com/riseawards to nominate an agency, officer or community program that rises above the rest. Nominations from the U.S. and Canada are open July 12 - August 15, 2021. Community voting for nominations will begin on August 16 and close August 30, 2021. Community members, friends and family may vote for one entry per day. The top 10 finalists with the most votes in each category will then be reviewed by a panel of judges and winners will be recognized at Accelerate 2021 in Phoenix, AZ.

Prizes include:

Three RISE Officer winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Axon Accelerate in Phoenix, AZ November 1-3, 2021. 

One RISE Agency winner will receive $7,500 for their police foundation, police nonprofit or community project of agency’s choosing.

One RISE Community winner will receive $7,500 in funding towards the winning community program.

At Axon, we're incredibly proud to have so many heroic customers doing inspiring work in the world. The RISE Awards were developed to help highlight those untold stories of the everyday heroes among us.

ARTICLE: Rise Awards 2021 Launch

The 2021 RISE Awards Presented by Axon

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)-It’s one of investing’s hottest acronyms and possibly the most meaningful one to ever enter the foray of assessing a company’s culture, values and impact on our society. Yes, it’s that big. ESG is the platform for the financial markets to focus on sustainable and impact investing with related assets accounting for over 30% of total U.S. assets under management. Some of the most prominent investors have applied ESG mandates to their portfolios. Close to 90% of S&P 500 companies are now publishing ESG and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility- related, not quite the same) reports. Both ESG and CSR are becoming important measures for overall business success as customers, employees and the broader community use these as standards by which to hold businesses accountable.

If you are an employee of a company with an ESG Report, start paying attention to it. As an employee or potential employee, you invest your talents and time just as investors invest capital.

When Axon started focusing heavily on ESG in late 2019, we were admittedly a bit lost. We felt pressure to be compliant, but also genuinely wanted to get it right. So, we took a breath and spent last year conducting extensive research to better understand what was expected of us. It turns out ESG wasn't as new as we initially thought. It was well established. Socially responsible investing, or SRI, dates back to the 18th century when it was used as a protection against investing in companies or products that didn't align with personal beliefs or values. SRI started to gain traction in the 1960s as the Civil Rights Movement gained steam, and after over 50 companies participated in a joint initiative to integrate this investing style into the capital markets in 2004, an add-on acronym was applied. ESG investing had begun.

So what caused the seemingly sudden skyrocket in ESG investing over the last few years? Could it be due to BlackRock CEO Larry Fink's well-known 2020 Letter to CEOs that called for public companies to enhance their sustainability-related disclosures? Or was it due to Business Roundtable's 2019 publishing statement that redefined corporate purpose and outlined the modern standard for corporate responsibility? I believe it was and is due to our fast-paced and rapidly changing world. To survive in an evolving world, we must discuss and better understand ESG's core principles. That's the exciting thing about ESG. To discuss these core principles, we must first understand what ESG truly is.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, & Governance, and it's a set of criteria in which a company is measured against based on its overall operations and performance. Each section -- environmental, social and governance -- has a corresponding list of different reportable metrics that a company can choose to disclose. It's important to note that not every metric is relevant to every company's operations. Thankfully, SASB, or the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, does some of the hard work for us by telling companies which metrics they should focus on based on their sector and the potential risks relevant to their business. We relied heavily on SASB's frameworks in our most recent report and will continue to utilize them as a guide as we improve.


“At Axon, we aspire to be a thought leader in how ESG is integrated into who we are and how we operate as a company. We view ESG as critical to making our company sustainable, and to creating value for all of the stakeholders helping us achieve our mission to Protect Life and make the bullet obsolete. Our ESG reports offer key insights into how we are making this vision a reality, and I’m very proud of our team for their creativity and thoroughness in what we publish.” - Jawad Ahsan, Chief Financial Officer

It's also essential to understand ESG holistically and how each piece of the landscape fits the puzzle. Once a company publishes an ESG and/or CSR disclosure, rating agencies such as MSCI and Sustainalytics then use the disclosures to track and grade the company's performance on their ESG metrics and, subsequently, publish an overall rating based on their findings. The ratings are then shared with the investment community, who can use them as a data point to make informed investment decisions. Naturally, the ratings are significant, but so is hearing directly from companies and their management teams.

So why does it all really matter? It's simple. Stakeholders want to see companies doing good, and when a company is performing well across each of the ESG areas, it is a reflection of their commitment to long-term sustainability. The world is evolving, we are evolving, and so should the way we operate, manage and view business functions. Companies must drive change and work towards bettering their business and the world around them. ESG ratings and disclosures are a gateway to understanding how much a company truly cares about environmental, social and governance-related issues. MSCI estimates over the next two to three decades, the millennial generation could put between $15 trillion to $20 trillion into U.S.-domiciled ESG investments. This investor base asks that their investments go beyond financial returns to include mission-driven practices aimed at creating positive societal change.

Stakeholders across the board want to know that companies prioritize critical topics and employees and potential candidates are passionate about innovating toward:

well-managed teams representing the community at large

enhanced data privacy and security to protect our web-based lifestyles

embracing diversity and inclusion opportunities

implementing environmentally-conscious practices

We can only do this through unity, awareness, and transparency. Having a united yardstick is a huge step.

As a bi-racial woman, I don't often see people in the workplace who look like me or have similar life experiences. I want that to change. I want to be sure my teams, peers and myself feel a sense of community, are experiencing equity and inclusion, and benefit from the hard work we're contributing to daily. I want to see sustainable business practices and thoughtful decision-making that considers all stakeholders. I want to protect our earth. And I want to know businesses both big and small care about these things too.

Do you care about ESG? If not, you should. Our future relies on it.

Check out the Axon 2021 ESG/CSR Report HERE and let us know what you think. We would love to hear from you!



ESG criteria are an increasingly popular way for investors to evaluate companies in which they might want to invest.

ESG Reports are a deep view on value systems within a company, and a great way to determine if a company is aligned with your values when seeking a role.

ESG criteria can also help investors avoid companies that might pose a greater financial risk due to their environmental or other practices.

Environmental criteria may include a company’s energy use, waste, pollution, natural resource conservation, and treatment of animals. The criteria can also be used in evaluating any environmental risks a company might face and how the company is managing those risks. 

Social criteria look at the company’s business relationships. Does it work with suppliers that hold the same values as it claims to hold? Does the company donate a percentage of its profits to the local community or encourage employees to perform volunteer work there? Do the company’s working conditions show high regard for its employees’ health and safety? Are other stakeholders’ interests taken into account? What does the company’s supplier and employee diversity look like?

With regard to governance, investors may want to know that a company uses accurate and transparent accounting methods and that stockholders are given an opportunity to vote on important issues. They may also want assurances that companies avoid conflicts of interest in their choice of board members, don't use political contributions to obtain unduly favorable treatment and, of course, don't engage in illegal practices.

About the Author: Angel Ambrosio joined Axon in 2017, relocating from Chicago to Scottsdale, AZ. A key member of the company's investor relations team, Angel also manages Axon's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. Prior to joining Axon, she worked in a variety of roles with a focus on communications and relationship management. Ms. Ambrosio is pursuing her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and Business from Arizona State University. She is passionate about promoting change and helping to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and is empowered to find their voice.

At Axon, we aspire to be a thought leader in how ESG is integrated into who we are and how we operate as a company. We view ESG as critical to making our company sustainable, and to creating value for all of the stakeholders helping us achieve our mission to Protect Life and make the bullet obsolete. Our ESG reports offer key insights into how we are making this vision a reality, and I’m very proud of our team for their creativity and thoroughness in what we publish.

Everyone is talking about ESG, What is it and Why it matters to Axon

ARTICLE: Everyone is talking about ESG, What is it and Why it matters to Axon

Everyone is talking about ESG, what is it and why does it matter to Axon

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 13, 2021 — Axon, the global leader in connected public safety technologies, today announced a partnership with the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the law enforcement community, to help with the design and development of the next generation Use of Force (UoF) training for law enforcement. With this partnership, Axon will leverage NTOA’s training expertise to develop virtual reality content and reality-based scenarios for de-escalation training focused on empathy, critical thinking and threat mitigation for both in-person and VR training platforms.

In an effort to enhance community and police relations in a complex world, Axon will work closely with NTOA and MIRACLE (Mental Illness Response Alternative Center Law Enforcement) to obtain constructive feedback and have Axon’s VR Training content, including VR Community Engagement and VR Simulator scenarios, and Axon Academy web-based trainings endorsed for meeting world-class standards.

“We are excited to further develop our VR Scenarios and bring on NTOA’s world-class expertise to ensure we are equipping agencies with the training and tools aimed to help in de-escalation and deliver the best possible outcome for all involved,” says CEO and Founder, Rick Smith. “This partnership is all about developing quintessential materials, tools and best practices to help deliver mutually beneficial outcomes and measure the effectiveness of these actions.”

“Our partnership with Axon will allow us to join forces in mitigating the use of force in intense situations and ensure first responders have access to the best training and technology possible,” says Thor Eells, NTOA’s Executive Director. “With this partnership, we are looking to make a difference with cutting-edge training and technology to rebuild community trust in law enforcement.”

This week, Axon launched its first wireless Virtual Reality (VR) Simulator Training to provide immersive virtual reality content that can help officers develop critical thinking, de-escalation and tactical skills. Designed to complement Axon’s existing Community Engagement Training, the VR Simulator will enable officers to actually talk and walk through the scenario as they would in the field, with feedback from trainers and supervisors, allowing them to practice more and enhance their skills, better preparing them for the situations they encounter each day.

NTOA and Axon will also partner to outline best practices around data tracking, analysis, and review to create a “gold standard” accreditation for what data should be tracked and how it should be utilized to measure program effectiveness and drive training policy and curriculum based on outcome data.


About the National Tactical Officers Association


The National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the law enforcement community. The NTOA currently has more than 40,000 members from specialities that include patrol, TEMS, crisis negotiations, canine, corrections, sniper, protective operations, explosives, command, tactical dispatchers, behavioral sciences and more. These members take full advantage of the NTOA’s annual training conference, interactive members-only website offerings and eagerly await the arrival of its renowned publication, The Tactical Edge. The NTOA’s dedicated staff members work hand-in-hand with high-quality, real-world public safety experts to provide the best services to the NTOA members. This powerful combination contributes to the overall success of the organization through shared experiences and cutting-edge training. The mission of the National Tactical Officers Association is to enhance the performance and professional status of law enforcement personnel by providing a credible and proven training resource as well as a forum for the development of tactics and information exchange. The Association’s ultimate goal is to improve public safety and domestic security through training, education and tactical excellence. The National Tactical Officers Association operates with Veritas (truth, honesty and integrity) in our relationships. For more information, please visit www.NTOA.org.



MIRACLE, an acronym for Mental Illness Response Alternative Center for Law Enforcement, is a tailored system that directly addresses our nation’s current mental health crisis. The system enables first responders to not only better handle the immediate concerns of ensuring community safety when encountering a person with serious mental illness, but also focuses on long-term solutions to reduce the burden on jails, hospitals, transport, call centers and more. Designed not to be a “one size fits all” system, MIRACLE’s services can be customized to meet each organization’s needs based on their current resources and capabilities. For more information, visit https://www.miraclesaves.org/.

Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc., MIRACLE is a trademark of National Tactical Officers Association, and Twitter is a trademark of Twitter, Inc. Axon, Axon Academy, and the Delta Logo are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other countries. For more information visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.

Axon partners with the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA), a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the law enforcement community, to help with the design and development of the next generation Use of Force (UoF) training for law enforcement.

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