Corey Axelrod (he/his/him) is a passionate advocate and social entrepreneur committed to creating more equitable experiences for his community. As the founder and CEO of 2axend, Corey is sought after as a consultant, thought leader and trainer on issues of communication accessibility, inclusive organizational design, unconscious bias, risk management and Deaf cultural awareness and sensitivity.
As a member of a multigenerational Deaf family, Corey has been long exposed to the various systemic barriers impacting his family and the greater Deaf and hard of hearing community. However, the most profound experience that impacted Corey was his father’s tumultuous battle with Multiple Myeloma, an incurable cancer of the bone marrow, that was further exacerbated by the communication and systemic barriers faced in healthcare.
Corey’s lifelong passion for social justice changes grew from experiences he witnessed over the years, and he was determined to make sure others within his community did not encounter the same barriers he and his father faced.
Corey founded 2axend in 2017, leveraging more than 10 years of experience in developing and executing dynamic business strategies to help organizations reduce systemic barriers for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Combining a Deaf lens and expertise in communication accessibility, 2axend is a Chicagoland-based strategic consulting and training firm working with organizational leaders to address critical elements impacting the Deaf and hard of hearing user experience.
Corey’s passion for protecting and advancing the interests of the Deaf and hard of hearing community extends beyond work hours. He currently sits on Northwest Community Hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council and serves as a member of the ASTM International F43.06 Subcommittee on Captioning Standards.
In June 2021, Corey completed his third term as president of the Illinois Association of the Deaf, Illinois’ leading civil rights organization of, by and for Deaf and Deaf and hard of hearing Illinoisans. He is also a past co-chair of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Outreach Committee and a former member of the Village of Arlington Heights’ Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, Illinois School for the Deaf Advisory Council and the Chicago Hearing Society Advisory Council.
Corey is the proud recipient of several accolades, including the Knights of Flying Fingers Award from the National Association of the Deaf and the JB & Beatrice Davis Leadership Award from the Illinois Association of the Deaf.
Outside of his work with 2axend and volunteer work, Corey spends his time with his wife, Jennifer, and their twin boys, Ryder and Jordan, as well as their family dog, Lexie.
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