Different minds.
Distinctly
Averane.

Robert

Head of What’s New / Chief Executive Officer / Leadership & Strategy

Robert is Averane’s Head of What’s New. He sets the company’s vision, shapes its strategy, and leads the team bringing it to life. He cares about doing thoughtful work, building strong relationships, and creating a business that gives something back.

Outside of Averane, Robert is happiest exploring beautiful wilderness, rock climbing, kayaking, or sitting down to good food with the people who mean everything to him—his family. His ideal day includes some adventure, plenty of laughter, and a meal worth talking about afterward. The order is flexible. The meal is essential.

Grateful for what the world has given him, he wants to make a positive contribution through the way he lives, leads, and treats people.

Focus

• Company vision: Knowing where we’re going and helping everyone understand why.
• People and purpose: Building something worthwhile with people who care.
• Perspective: Seeing the bigger picture, even when the calendar has other plans.

The work

My role is to help decide where Averane goes next and make sure our team has what it needs to get there. I set priorities, choose opportunities, and take responsibility for the decisions that shape the company.

I want us to do work we’re proud of and build relationships that last. I also want our success to give us more ways to contribute to the world around us.

It’s a big responsibility. Luckily, I enjoy a challenge—and have accepted that most business challenges can’t be solved by taking everyone kayaking. Most.

The approach

I ask questions, listen carefully, and give people room to bring their own ideas. A clear direction matters, but so does being willing to learn something that changes your mind.

Climbing is a useful reminder that the route you planned from the ground can look very different halfway up. You pay attention, adjust, and occasionally wonder whose idea this was. Usually yours.

I bring that same willingness to adapt into work. Make a considered decision, stay aware of what’s happening, and take responsibility for the next move.

Working together

I want people to feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions, and telling me when something needs attention. Honest conversations help us do better work and make better decisions.

You can expect clear priorities, support, and a sense of humor. I care about what we’re building, and I care about the people building it.

There should be room for ambition, a good laugh, and lunch. I’m especially prepared to defend lunch.

Beyond the screen

The outdoors is a big part of my life. I love the beauty of the wilderness, the focus of rock climbing, and the freedom of being out on the water in a kayak. They give me space to think, a reason to explore, and a healthy reminder that nature has never once cared about my job title.

Good food is another joy—especially after a day outside, when I feel I’ve earned the right to study the entire menu.

But family means everything to me. The people I love are who I want to share the adventures, the meals, and the ordinary days with. Those moments keep me grounded and remind me what all the effort is for.

The world has given me so much. I want to find ways to give back, care for the places I enjoy, and use what I’m building to make a useful difference.

Personal perspective

“My idea of success includes work I’m proud of, time outside, good food, and the people I love around the table. Ideally, nobody schedules a meeting during the food part.”

One more detail

“I’m always up for a climb, a paddle, or a good meal with family. Combine all three and you’ve pretty much planned my perfect day. Just put the climbing before the big lunch.”

Kaylyn

Head of Making It Happen / Vice President / Delivery & Collaboration

Kaylyn is Averane’s Head of Making It Happen. She helps turn ideas into action, keeps people connected, and brings care and clarity to the work along the way.

She approaches life with an open heart and a curiosity about people. Whether she’s exploring somewhere new or sitting beside someone and hearing their story, Kaylyn enjoys discovering what matters to others. That willingness to listen shapes how she works: understand the people, make space for their ideas, and help everyone move forward together.

Outside of work, she loves nature, music, and exploring the world. Give her somewhere new to wander, a good soundtrack, and someone interesting to talk to, and the itinerary may become more of a suggestion.

Focus

• Making things happen: Turning a shared ambition into clear, practical next steps.
• Connecting people: Listening closely and helping everyone find their place in the work.
• Keeping things moving: Bringing focus, care, and a little humor when plans get complicated.

The work

I help bring the pieces together so an idea can become something real. That means understanding what we’re trying to achieve, what people need, and how we can keep moving with a shared sense of purpose.

I care about how we get there, too. People should feel heard, supported, and clear about what comes next.

And when someone says, “We should probably do something about that,” there’s a good chance I’m already making a list.

The approach

I start by listening. I want to understand the idea, but I also want to understand the people behind it: what excites them, what’s worrying them, and what would help them do their best work.

I keep an open heart and try to leave room for perspectives I haven’t considered. Exploring the world reminds me how much there is to learn, especially when I slow down enough to have a conversation.

Then comes the practical part: finding the next step and helping us take it. Curiosity is wonderful. Eventually, someone does need to book the thing.

Working together

You can expect someone who wants to know how you’re doing and will make time to hear the answer. I enjoy sitting with people, learning their stories, and understanding what makes them who they are.

At work, that means honest conversations, thoughtful follow-through, and a willingness to untangle things together. You don’t need to arrive with every answer. We can start with what we know and work from there.

I’ll help keep us moving—and leave a little room for the conversation that starts with a project update and somehow ends with your favorite song.

Beyond the screen

I love being in nature, listening to music, and discovering places I haven’t been before. There’s something special about stepping into a different landscape or hearing a song that changes the whole feeling of a day.

But the people are often what stay with me. I love sitting beside someone and learning about their life—their experiences, their passions, and the little things that make them smile.

I try to move through the world with my heart open. There’s always something to learn, and often someone worth getting to know. This does mean a “quick chat” can occasionally require a revised departure time.

Personal perspective

“I love making things happen, but I want to know the people I’m making them happen with. Everyone has a story, and I’m usually happy to stay for another chapter.”

One more detail

“My ideal day has a little nature, some good music, and a conversation that goes somewhere unexpected. I’m happy to have a plan—just leave room for a detour and one more song.”

Jez

Head of What Adds Up / Chief Financial Officer / Finance & Business Planning

Jez is Averane’s Head of What Adds Up. She brings a financial perspective to the company’s plans, helping the team understand what’s possible, what it will take, and how to build on solid foundations.

Her curiosity extends well beyond the numbers. Jez is a coffee pro, a huge foodie, and a deep reader—someone who enjoys getting beneath the surface, whether she’s exploring an idea, a book, or a particularly good menu.

She brings thoughtfulness and an appetite for understanding to her work. She also brings high standards for coffee. Some things are simply too important to leave to chance.

Focus

• Financial clarity: Helping people understand the numbers and the choices behind them.
• Thoughtful planning: Connecting what we want to do with what it will take.
• The deeper questions: Looking beyond the first answer to understand what really adds up.

The work

I help Averane make informed decisions about its resources and its future. That means understanding the detail, asking useful questions, and giving the team a clear picture of what we can commit to.

I want the numbers to help people move forward with confidence. They should make a decision easier to understand and give a good idea a practical foundation.

And yes, I will probably have a follow-up question. Possibly two. We should get coffee first.

The approach

I like to understand things properly. Reading feeds that curiosity: following an argument, considering another perspective, and sitting with an idea long enough to form my own view.

I bring that same attention to work. I look at the assumptions behind a plan, consider the implications, and ask what we might have missed.

Coffee gets similar treatment. “It’s just coffee” is a bold opening statement in a conversation with me.

Working together

Bring me the idea, the ambition, and the questions you’re still working through. We can look at what it needs, explore the options, and work out a sensible way forward.

I value clear explanations and thoughtful conversations. People should feel comfortable asking about the numbers, and I want my answers to be useful to the person making the decision.

You can expect careful consideration, honest input, and a willingness to get into the detail. If we’re discussing it over good food, you can also expect me to take the menu seriously.

Beyond the screen

Good coffee, good food, and a book I can get lost in—that’s a very strong start.

I enjoy the care behind a well-made cup of coffee and the pleasure of a meal that gives you something to talk about. Being a foodie means curiosity is always rewarded. It also means choosing where to eat can become a small research project.

Reading gives me another way to explore. I love spending time with ideas, discovering different perspectives, and finding a passage that makes me pause and think.

My only complaint is that books, coffee, and food all deserve my full attention. Scheduling remains a challenge.

Personal perspective

“I like understanding what’s behind things: the thinking behind a decision, the care behind a meal, or the idea that keeps me reading. I’m happy to get into the detail—especially if there’s good coffee.”

One more detail

“My version of ‘just one more’ could mean a chapter, a coffee, or something from the dessert menu. I prefer to keep my options open.”

Kegan

Head of What Makes It Work / Technology & Experiences

Kegan is Averane’s Head of What Makes It Work. He connects creative ambition with practical execution, helping turn ideas into experiences that work well and feel good to use.

An avid painter, gamer, and builder, Kegan enjoys thinking about how things come together. Painting gives him room to experiment, gaming feeds his interest in interaction, and building experiences lets him put that curiosity into practice—even after the working day ends.

He brings a maker’s perspective to Averane: explore the idea, understand the moving parts, and care about the details people will encounter. His hobbies do raise a fair question about whether he ever actually stops making things.

Focus

• Making ideas work: Finding practical ways to bring creative concepts to life.
• The experience: Thinking about how something feels as well as how it functions.
• The details: Connecting the moving parts so people can enjoy the result.

The work

I help turn what we imagine into something people can actually use and enjoy. That means understanding the idea, figuring out how the pieces fit, and working through the details that make the experience feel complete.

I care about what happens when someone interacts with what we’ve built. Can they find their way? Does it respond how they expect? Where could it feel better?

Getting something to work is satisfying. Getting it to work after spending an hour discovering you were looking in entirely the wrong place is satisfying with a slightly longer exhale.

The approach

I like making things, trying them, and learning from what happens. A first version gives you something to explore—and usually a few things to fix.

Painting keeps me comfortable with experimentation. Sometimes a small adjustment changes the whole piece. Sometimes you need to step back before you can see what it needs. Sometimes you should have stepped back twenty minutes ago.

Gaming makes me curious about how experiences guide people: what invites you to explore, what makes an action satisfying, and what keeps you interested. I bring those questions into the things I build.

Working together

Bring me the idea and what you want someone to experience. I enjoy working through the possibilities together, asking questions, and finding a way to make it happen.

I’ll help explain the choices, flag what needs more thought, and keep refining as we learn. You don’t need every detail worked out before we start talking.

Fair warning: “I wonder if we could…” is usually enough to get me interested. It may also result in me coming back later with something you can try.

Beyond the screen

Outside of work, I’m often painting, gaming, or building an experience just because I want to see what happens.

I love how each gives me a different way to create and explore. Painting lets me work with color and composition. Games let me step into worlds someone else has imagined. Building gives me the chance to make a little world of my own.

Apparently, my way of taking a break from making things is to make different things. I’m sure that counts.

Personal perspective

“I love the moment an idea becomes something you can interact with. You try it, notice what could be better, and suddenly ‘one last adjustment’ has become your evening.”

One more detail

“Between painting, gaming, and building things, I’m very good at finding a reason to say ‘five more minutes.’ Less good at making it mean five minutes.”

Tyson

Maker of What Sells Online / Ecommerce & Digital Experiences

Tyson is Averane’s Maker of What Sells Online. He helps create online shopping experiences that make products easy to discover, understand, and buy, connecting a brand’s personality with the practical details that help customers choose.

He brings curiosity and an eye for how people move through an experience: what catches their attention, where they hesitate, and what makes the next step feel easy.

Outside of work, Tyson enjoys finding time to skate around town and going to concerts with his friends. A good session, a good show, and good company make a pretty solid day. His legs and hearing may have their own opinions.

Focus

• The shopping experience: Helping people find what they want and feel confident buying it.
• Brand and product: Giving customers a clear sense of what makes something worth choosing.
• The next step: Paying attention to the details that keep a purchase moving.

The work

I help brands turn interest into sales online. That means thinking through the whole experience—from someone’s first look at a product to the moment they finish checking out.

I want people to understand what they’re buying, why it’s right for them, and how to get it without unnecessary effort.

Buying something should be exciting. You shouldn’t need the determination of someone trying to secure concert tickets just to order a T-shirt.

The approach

I start by looking at the experience from the customer’s side. What do they need to know? What deserves their attention? Where are we making them work harder than they should?

Then I work through the details: how products are presented, how information is organized, and how each step leads to the next.

Skating gives me a useful appreciation for flow. You notice the surface, look ahead, and adjust as you go. You also learn that a small thing in the wrong place can bring proceedings to a very sudden stop.

Working together

Bring me your products, your goals, and what you know about your customers. I like understanding what makes a business distinctive so we can carry that into the shopping experience.

I’ll ask questions, explore ideas with you, and help make the choices clear. I care about creating something that feels like your brand and works for the people buying from it.

And if we’re calling something “effortless,” I’d like us to try it ourselves first. Preferably without someone standing nearby explaining which button to press.

Beyond the screen

I like finding time to skate around town. It gets me outside, gives me a change of pace, and lets me enjoy familiar places a little differently. Sometimes taking the long way is the whole point.

I also love going to concerts with my friends. There’s something hard to beat about hearing live music with your favorite people—the anticipation, the energy, and the conversations afterward.

Those conversations may happen at an unusually high volume. We’re still working out whether that’s enthusiasm or proximity to the speakers.

Personal perspective

“I care about how an experience flows. Whether you’re finding your way through town or through an online shop, it feels good when you can keep moving without having to stop and figure everything out.”

One more detail

“My ideal plans involve skating, a concert, and friends. ‘Just one more song’ is a perfectly reasonable request. The venue staff sometimes disagree.”

Justin

Builder of What Works / Development & Functionality

Justin is Averane’s Builder of What Works. He helps turn ideas into dependable, usable experiences, giving the details behind the scenes the attention they need to support what people see and do.

He brings curiosity, patience, and a practical approach to building: understand the purpose, work through the moving parts, and keep improving until things come together.

Outside of work, Justin spends plenty of time hiking and exploring. He’s also a lover of all things furry, which means an interesting trail and an animal encounter can compete fiercely for his attention. The animal has a strong advantage.

Focus

• Bringing ideas to life: Turning a concept into something people can use.
• Dependable foundations: Making sure the pieces work well together.
• Practical problem-solving: Finding a way forward when something needs figuring out.

The work

I help build the things that make an experience work. That means understanding what it needs to do, how people will use it, and what has to happen behind the scenes to support them.

I enjoy working through a problem and reaching the point where everything clicks. There’s a particular satisfaction in seeing something do exactly what you intended.

There’s also the moment it starts working before you understand why. That one requires a little more investigation before celebrating.

The approach

I like to explore a problem, break it into manageable pieces, and work through it with care. I’ll ask questions, try things, and adjust as I learn.

Hiking is a good reminder to pay attention along the way. You can have a destination in mind and still notice something that changes your route—or makes the journey more interesting.

I bring that curiosity to building. A useful discovery can come from looking a little closer. Although, at work, the distraction is less likely to have paws.

Working together

Bring me what you want to achieve, even if you haven’t figured out how it should work yet. I enjoy helping turn an early idea into a practical plan.

You can expect questions, clear explanations, and a willingness to work through the details together. I want people to feel comfortable sharing ideas and pointing out anything that doesn’t feel right.

I’m patient with a tricky problem. I’m also very receptive to an interruption that begins, “Would you like to meet my dog?”

Beyond the screen

I spend a lot of my time outside, hiking and exploring. I love having somewhere to wander, something new to notice, and a reason to see what’s around the next bend.

Animals are another big part of what makes me happy. I have a soft spot for all things furry, and I’m unlikely to rush past an opportunity to appreciate one.

If we’re out walking together, allow a little extra time. The route may be straightforward, but I cannot account for the number of dogs we’ll meet.

Personal perspective

“I like figuring things out, finding new places, and meeting anything with fur. Two of those interests keep me moving. The third tends to bring the walk to a complete stop.”

One more detail

“My estimated hiking time includes the trail and a few breaks. It does not include saying hello to every dog. That part of the schedule remains highly unpredictable.”

Kenna

Head of What Looks Good / Design & Creative Direction

Kenna is Averane’s Head of What Looks Good. She shapes the visual direction of the work, helping ideas become designs that feel considered, communicate clearly, and give a brand its own character.

She brings a creative eye and care for how the details come together—from the overall impression to the small choices that make something feel right.

Outside of work, Kenna loves spending her days with her husband, their two kids, and their dogs. They’re her favorite company, even if getting everyone to look in the same direction for a photo is a creative challenge of its own.

Focus

• Creative direction: Giving an idea a clear visual identity.
• Design with purpose: Making choices that help people understand and connect.
• The finishing touches: Bringing the details together into a cohesive whole.

The work

I help shape how Averane’s work looks and feels. That means understanding what we want to communicate and finding a visual direction that brings it to life.

I care about design that has a reason behind it: a color that sets the mood, an image that tells the story, or a layout that makes everything easier to understand.

And yes, I will notice if something is slightly off-center. I may try to carry on with my day. We’ll see how that goes.

The approach

I like to start with the idea and explore how it could take shape. I’ll try different directions, look closely at what’s working, and refine until the pieces feel connected.

Good design takes curiosity and a willingness to make changes. Sometimes the smallest adjustment makes the biggest difference. Sometimes you have to admit that the thing you spent an hour on looked better twenty minutes ago.

I want every choice to contribute something, whether it helps tell the story, creates a feeling, or makes the experience easier to use.

Working together

Bring me what you want people to understand and feel. References, rough ideas, and honest reactions all help us find the right direction.

I enjoy working through possibilities together and explaining the thinking behind a design. You don’t need the perfect words to give useful feedback—we can figure out what “it needs a little something” means together.

Though if the little something turns out to be a dog, I’ll understand immediately.

Beyond the screen

My favorite days are spent with my husband, our two kids, and our dogs. I love being around the people—and paws—that mean the most to me.

There’s a lot to enjoy in the everyday moments together: the laughter, the company, and the small things that become family stories.

It’s also a household with plenty of personalities. I may lead the creative direction at work, but at home there are several stakeholders, and some of them believe every decision should involve a treat.

Personal perspective

“I care about making things feel thoughtful and full of personality. At home, we have the personality part well covered. There are two kids, dogs, and very few quiet reviews.”

One more detail

“I can spend ages getting a layout just right. Getting two kids and the dogs into one family photo? That’s when I embrace a more spontaneous creative direction.”

Ashley

Maker of What You See / Visual Design & Storytelling

Ashley is Averane’s Maker of What You See. She brings ideas to life visually, creating work with character, care, and a clear sense of what it needs to communicate.

Her curiosity follows her everywhere. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys crafting, hunting for vintage clothing, and taking photographs around the globe. She loves finding something worth a closer look—and sharing it with anyone willing to look along with her.

She brings that eye for discovery into her work: noticing textures, colors, and unexpected details that can give an idea its own personality. Ask about her travels and you may get a story. Show sufficient interest and you’ll get the photos, too. All of them.

Focus

• Visual storytelling: Helping an idea become something people can see and connect with.
• Character and detail: Finding the choices that make the work feel distinctive.
• A fresh eye: Drawing inspiration from places, objects, and everyday discoveries.

The work

I help make the visual pieces that bring a story to life. I think about what someone sees first, what draws them closer, and how the details support the message.

I enjoy giving an idea a form that feels right for it—through imagery, color, composition, and the little touches that pull everything together.

There’s usually a moment when it starts to click. Then I make a few more adjustments, because apparently “finished” and “what if I tried this?” live very close together.

The approach

I collect inspiration by paying attention. A vintage piece, something I’m making by hand, or a photograph from a trip can send me in a direction I hadn’t considered.

Crafting lets me experiment with materials and enjoy the process of making. Looking for vintage clothing feeds my love of discovery: you never quite know what you’ll find, which is an excellent reason to check one more shop.

I bring that curiosity to design. I like exploring possibilities, trying combinations, and finding the detail that makes the whole thing feel more interesting.

Working together

Bring me the story you want to tell and what you want people to notice. I love seeing references, hearing what excites you, and working through ideas together.

You can expect curiosity, thoughtful choices, and enthusiasm for the details. I want the work to feel connected to you and give people a reason to stop and look.

I may also say, “I have a photo that explains what I mean.” This is both a useful contribution and my opportunity to show you another photo.

Beyond the screen

I love spending time crafting and searching for vintage clothing. There’s something satisfying about making a piece yourself or finding one with a history—and imagining how to make it part of your own.

Photography gives me another way to explore. I love taking pictures around the globe, noticing what makes a place special, and bringing a little of that experience home.

And I love sharing those photos with whoever will look. Friends, family, someone who made the mistake of asking how the trip went—I appreciate an audience.

If you say, “Show me a few,” I will try to respect the word “few.” We may have different definitions.

Personal perspective

“I love finding things worth looking at and sharing them with people. Sometimes that’s something I’ve made, sometimes it’s a vintage find, and sometimes it’s a photo collection you didn’t realize you’d signed up for.”

One more detail

“I’m always happy to show you my travel photos. Just don’t say ‘I could look at these all day’ unless you’ve checked your calendar.”

Our shared thinking

Curiosity gives a project direction. Ask who it serves, what matters, and what could work better.

A considered experience is made of specific decisions. Keep looking until the intention is clear.

Different perspectives improve an idea. Share the reasoning, challenge the assumption, and build on what you learn.

CONTEXT BEFORE CONCEPT

The question comes first.

Understand the business, the audience, and the decision the experience needs to support. A useful direction gives every discipline something meaningful to build on.

EXPRESSION WITH INTENT

Make the thinking visible.

Connect language, structure, typography, and interaction. Share the work early enough for different perspectives to make it more distinctive and more useful.

CRAFT THROUGH DELIVERY

Care for the whole experience.

Translate the intent into an experience people can use. Test the details, discuss the tradeoffs, and consider how the work will be managed after launch.

The first thing you notice says something.

Is it the message, the structure, the rhythm, or the detail that feels slightly out of place? A team profile can reveal the instinct someone brings to the work.

The useful feedback changes the work.

Which question opens up a new direction? What helps someone move from an interesting idea to an experience people can actually use? Invite the team to share a specific moment or method.

Finished is more than looking finished.

What do you check before calling it ready? Think about the keyboard state, the content that runs long, or the person maintaining it next month. Make the standard tangible.

There is a person beyond the project.

A book, a side project, a fascination, a place, a creative ritual: let each person choose what they would like to share. Personal should feel voluntary, not manufactured.