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Jesse Dugas' Experience & education

Over 15 years of building accessibility programs and inclusive experiences at companies like GitHub, TikTok and Meta.

Work experience

Senior accessibility program manager

Coming soon.

Key highlights for Senior accessibility program manager at Meta

Senior accessibility program manager

Leading comprehensive accessibility strategy across GitHub's global operations, serving 150+ million developers while ensuring inclusive workplace experiences for employees worldwide. Driving accountability at scale through operations, compliance processes, and community partnerships while advancing open source accessibility initiatives.

Key highlights for Senior accessibility program manager at GitHub
  • Champion accessible employee experience across global GitHub locations, managing accommodations, company-wide meeting accessibility, and inclusive HR/IT processes
  • Field director for accessibility at major events including GitHub Universe, coordinating CART, ASL interpretation, audio descriptions, and sensory-inclusive production elements
  • Co-authored technical blog on AI accessibility and developed systematic testing protocols for inclusive AI-generated code across platform features
  • Built compliance dashboards, executive reporting systems, and vendor evaluation processes for accessibility impact measurement
  • Lead open source accessibility initiatives including community guides and GitHub's annual accessibility summit
  • Collaborate with Microsoft accessibility team and industry partners including GAAD, Lighthouse for the Blind, and disability advocacy organizations

Head of global accessibility

Owned global accessibility strategy for platforms serving over 1 billion active users worldwide. Led cross-functional teams to integrate accessibility into product development while building external partnerships with disability advocacy organizations and establishing international accessibility standards.

Key highlights for Head of global accessibility at TikTok
  • Developed systematic auditing processes for all TikTok platforms including web, mobile apps, car integrations, and emerging platform experiences
  • Consulted on accessibility implementation for Douyin (750+ million users) ensuring consistent accessibility standards across international markets and cultural contexts
  • Created executive-level metrics and impact reports demonstrating accessibility improvements across global markets and user engagement
  • Built comprehensive accessibility training programs for international product teams spanning multiple time zones and cultural contexts
  • Established partnerships with disability advocacy organizations and accessibility consultants across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions
  • Led accessibility strategy for high-profile product launches and platform integrations affecting hundreds of millions of users

Head of user experience, usability and accessibility

Led accessibility strategy for a healthcare technology startup serving patients with chronic conditions. Built scalable UX processes and accessibility standards in a regulated healthcare environment while mentoring cross-functional design teams.

Key highlights for Head of user experience, usability and accessibility at Goodpath (Healthcare Technology Startup)
  • Designed accessible design system components in Figma and coded corresponding React component library
  • Established accessibility compliance frameworks for sensitive medical contexts and patient safety
  • Managed complex accessibility projects from strategy development through implementation and measurement

Lead user experience engineer

Delivered strategic accessibility leadership in a fast-paced startup environment. Collaborated with product and engineering teams to implement user-centered solutions while ensuring accessibility standards for diverse patient healthcare needs.

Key highlights for Lead user experience engineer at Goodpath (Healthcare Technology Startup)
  • Built interactive prototypes using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React for healthcare workflow testing
  • Contributed to technical architecture decisions balancing user experience with development velocity
  • Ensured platform interactions met accessibility standards for patients with varying abilities and health literacy

Principal user experience designer & web accessibility product owner

Led accessibility strategy and user experience design for medical device platforms serving healthcare professionals globally. Created executive-level communications and established design system standards in the regulated medical device industry.

Key highlights for Principal user experience designer & web accessibility product owner at Boston Scientific
  • Developed accessibility training programs for cross-functional teams in regulated medical device industry
  • Led systematic accessibility evaluation across multiple product lines serving healthcare professionals
  • Created executive-level accessibility strategy presentations and ROI analysis for senior leadership

Accessibility specialist, UX designer & front-end developer

Providing comprehensive accessibility consulting, user experience design, and front-end development services to startups and Fortune 500 companies across multiple industries. Specializing in accessible web applications, design systems, and inclusive digital experiences.

Key highlights for Accessibility specialist, UX designer & front-end developer at Independent Professional (Self-employed)
  • Accessibility consulting and training for companies ranging from healthcare startups to financial services enterprises
  • Full-stack web development using React, Vue, Next.js, and modern accessibility-first development practices
  • Professional photography, videography, and multimedia content creation for business and accessibility advocacy
  • User experience design and research for web and mobile applications with emphasis on inclusive design methodologies

Digital producer

Collaborated with Digital Marketing Manager and global teams to identify production requirements for digital marketing programs. Created digital content using Adobe CQ5 content management system while ensuring conformance with regulatory requirements and technical specifications.

Key highlights for Digital producer at Boston Scientific
  • Worked collaboratively with Global Digital Marketing Products team and external service providers to deliver comprehensive digital marketing solutions
  • Created and maintained digital content across multiple platforms while ensuring adherence to Boston Scientific policies and regulatory requirements
  • Developed and managed production schedules in consultation with Digital Marketing Manager for consistent project delivery
  • Advised digital marketing partners on technical specifications and content standards for optimal user experience and compliance

Web producer

Led technical development and web production for educational institution, focusing on XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design implementation. Converted design mockups into functional web pages while maintaining SEO optimization and industry standards.

Key highlights for Web producer at Boston University - Metropolitan College
  • Technical development of XHTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design integrated with creative print designs for cohesive brand experience
  • Designed and converted mockups into functional web pages, maintained existing websites, and performed comprehensive QA testing
  • Developed and optimized static and dynamic websites conforming to web standards and SEO best practices including meta tag implementation
  • Enhanced graphics, repurposed print materials for web use, and created composite images while developing modern online designs and HTML emails

Digital marketing coordinator

Managed comprehensive digital marketing initiatives for travel company, including email marketing campaigns, web analytics, and website management. Responsible for HTML email coding, A/B testing, and data-driven marketing optimization across multiple channels.

Key highlights for Digital marketing coordinator at Collette
  • Managed and deployed all promotional and CRM emails including HTML coding, testing/QC, tracking open rates, and managing bounce backs for comprehensive email marketing campaigns
  • Designed and built email marketing messages and campaigns in collaboration with Marketing team while introducing new campaign ideas based on current events and company announcements
  • Developed metrics and analyzed web traffic to identify trends and provide insights and recommendations based on key findings with monthly competitive analysis
  • Coordinated website updates, edits, and enhancements while designing new partner sites and modules using UX/UI best practices and managing URL redirects

Head of UX, accessibility, design & media

Leading user experience, accessibility strategy, design systems, branding, and media production for early-stage technology startup. Establishing inclusive design practices and scalable creative processes while maintaining startup agility and rapid iteration.

Key highlights for Head of UX, accessibility, design & media at Technology Startup (Stealth Mode)
  • Developing comprehensive accessibility strategy and design systems from ground up
  • Creating brand identity, visual design systems, and multimedia content across all company touchpoints
  • Leading user research and product design initiatives in fast-paced startup environment

Education & credentials

Master of Liberal Arts, Digital Media Design

Advanced study in digital media design with specialized focus on accessibility and inclusive design principles.

Key focus areas for Master of Liberal Arts, Digital Media Design
  • Thesis research focused on accessibility in digital media and user experience design
  • Coursework in human-computer interaction, inclusive design methodologies, and digital accessibility standards

Graduate Certificate, Front-End Web Development

Comprehensive program covering modern web development technologies with emphasis on accessible coding practices.

Key focus areas for Graduate Certificate, Front-End Web Development
  • Advanced JavaScript, React, and modern web development frameworks
  • Accessibility implementation and WCAG compliance in web development

Certificate: Designing and Building AI Products and Services

Executive education program focused on practical AI product development and responsible AI deployment strategies.

Key focus areas for Certificate: Designing and Building AI Products and Services
  • AI product strategy, ethics, and responsible development practices
  • Practical applications of AI in accessibility and inclusive technology design

Design Thinking Certificates

Comprehensive design thinking methodology training focused on human-centered innovation and collaborative problem-solving approaches.

Key focus areas for Design Thinking Certificates
  • Foundations in Design Thinking and human-centered innovation methodologies
  • Insights for Innovation: Human-Centered Research Methods and ethnographic research techniques
  • From Ideas to Action: Ideation and Prototyping for rapid solution development
  • Storytelling for Influence: Creating Impact Through the Art of Storytelling

Bachelor's Degree in Digital Recording Arts

Comprehensive program in audio engineering, music production, and digital media creation with hands-on studio experience.

Key focus areas for Bachelor's Degree in Digital Recording Arts
  • Advanced audio engineering, multi-track recording, and mixing techniques
  • Music production, sound design, and post-production workflows
  • Industry-standard equipment training including Pro Tools, studio hardware, and recording methodologies

Associate's Degree in Multimedia and Web Design

Foundation program in web development, graphic design, and multimedia production with emphasis on user-centered design principles.

Key focus areas for Associate's Degree in Multimedia and Web Design
  • Web development fundamentals including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and responsive design
  • Graphic design principles, typography, and visual communication
  • Multimedia production including photography, video editing, and animation techniques

Speaking & industry leadership

Conference speaking & industry leadership

Regular speaker at major accessibility conferences, sharing expertise on AI accessibility, inclusive design, and systematic approaches to accessibility program management.

Speaking and leadership highlights
  • Keynote presentations at Axe-Con and CSUN Assistive Technology Conference on 'Empowering People with Disabilities Using GitHub Copilot'
  • Guest lecturer at Harvard Extension School, teaching accessibility and user experience design to graduate students (2018-2023)
  • Industry partnerships with RNIB, Microsoft, The Seeing Eye, and Paralympic organizations for collaborative accessibility initiatives
  • Thought leadership on the intersection of AI and accessibility, contributing to industry best practices and standards