Russ Unger

Russ Unger serves as the Chief Experience Officer at Agile Defense, where he leads the Experience Studio in delivering human-centered design solutions across enterprise, government, and private sectors. With over 25 years of experience in UX design, Russ has built and led multidisciplinary teams that integrate UX design, content strategy, user interface design, front-end development, and customer experience to drive innovation and mission success.

He has played a formative role in shaping government and civic design practices, including contributing to the early development of the U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) and the 18F Method Cards, both of which continue to guide user-centered practices across federal agencies.

Russ is also a co-author of several influential books, including A Project Guide to UX Design, Designing the Conversation, Speaker Camp, and Liftoff! Practical Design Leadership to Elevate Your Team, Your Organization, and You. His writing has helped establish foundational understanding for new and seasoned practitioners alike.

In addition to his work in government and industry, Russ has held leadership roles in nonprofit and academic communities, where he supported professional development, conference programming, and standards advocacy. He served for over seven years on the advisory board for the Harrington College of Design, helping align academic curriculum with industry needs.

Beyond his professional contributions, Russ is the producer of Chicago Camps events such as UX Camp and Leadership By Design, and the host of Tent Talks, a live podcast that brings together voices from across the design world. His work continues to shape how design is practiced, taught, and led.