Russ Unger

Russ Unger is the Chief Experience Officer at Agile Defense, where he leads the Experience Studio in delivering AI-first, human-centered design across enterprise, government, and private-sector environments. He also leads Agile Defense University, the organization’s program for building practical AI fluency across its teams. With more than 25 years of experience in UX design, he has built and led multidisciplinary teams integrating UX design, content strategy, user interface design, front-end development, and customer experience to drive innovation and mission success.

Mr. Unger 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 and the 18F Method Cards, and providing review and feedback on the 21st Century IDEA Act for GSA. He has co-authored six books, including A Project Guide to UX Design, Designing the Conversation, and Liftoff! Practical Design Leadership to Elevate Your Team, Your Organization, and You.

He serves on the advisory board for the University of Colorado Springs’ Strategic Artificial Intelligence Program, helping shape a certificate curriculum that connects academic learning with real-world practice. He has advised in a similar capacity for Rockford University’s Generative AI for Value Creation certificate program and previously spent more than seven years on the advisory board for the Harrington College of Design.

Mr. Unger’s writing, events, and professional contributions have helped shape how design is practiced, taught, and led across the broader design community and in government.