Anna Affias
Founder + Team Owner at Stkd! Racing Squad
Business Leader. Mentor. Change maker. Athlete. Cyclist.
Anna is a Minnesota born-and-raised creative currently based in Chicago working as Business Development Executive at Slalom. Her ideas are simple at their core but rich in execution. She thrives on the excitement of being involved at every level of a project and does her best work when being collaborative and innovative with others. Anna is knowledgeable of current tools, trends, technologies, and considers herself a strong communicator with an eagerness to lead, work together, and create lasting impressions.

When not championing a brand or solving a business problem, Anna races road bikes competitively around the U.S. and gushes over her incredible nieces, Coley Guacamole and Quinn Rylie. 

Questions? Got an idea? Want to grab a cup of coffee or go for a bike ride? Please reach out at affiasanna@gmail.com.

Favorite words to live by: 

“Balance is not something you find. It’s something you create.”

"If it's both terrifying and amazing then you should definitely pursue it."
Stkd! Racing Squad
https://www.linkedin.com/company/stkd-racing-squad
Greater Chicago Area
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQGBlSzy_168vw/company-logo_100_100/0/1634610357181?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=c840RwsAvJMbLW-JnPea-hry0xijk0r2tqbK3KPKUcs
Founder + Team Owner
Slalom
https://www.linkedin.com/company/slalom-consulting
Chicago, Illinois, United States
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQHo_njBHzD-bQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1625149136034?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=sWSpQNoET1PuirfJ4GDBLU2Bw-ugOpV34d37DF8vL6g
Business Development Executive
Slalom
https://www.linkedin.com/company/slalom-consulting
Greater Chicago Area
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQHo_njBHzD-bQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1625149136034?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=sWSpQNoET1PuirfJ4GDBLU2Bw-ugOpV34d37DF8vL6g
Senior Consultant, Experience Design (XD) + Creative Direction, Slalom Chicago
The Bond Group
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bond-group
Greater Chicago Area
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQGNB1Hl1b9J2Q/company-logo_100_100/0/1546973719552?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=2cpVMyVvk6ITnAlQAbi2Kq2KDXOiWVtNU6eWcAWZPOs
Art Director
AIGA Chicago
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aigachicago
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQG3B9Y9N6yVGg/company-logo_100_100/0/1519935758937?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=X5VHNBB7LMEVaFrh7N-S2cmkZHcqBGWedNDWEwpt3pM
Mentor
AIGA Chicago
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aigachicago
Greater Chicago Area
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQG3B9Y9N6yVGg/company-logo_100_100/0/1519935758937?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=X5VHNBB7LMEVaFrh7N-S2cmkZHcqBGWedNDWEwpt3pM
Membership Committee Member
No Limit Agency
https://www.linkedin.com/company/no-limit-agency
Greater Chicago Area
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQH-xkbtXa8_XQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519909304520?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=nF0G1ev4vkdeZSjghBwCap-1zNL1oXwm1PxORVHzJiI
Senior Designer
Marketing Werks
https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketing-werks
Greater Chicago Area
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQErKDegrwzF5Q/company-logo_100_100/0/1625670650902?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=gktaL9VG9NzE-TorVfXLH1txtZbO8eIF4Ax3_XI7FIE
Designer
University of Minnesota
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-minnesota
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C560BAQES0g1tf6RKkw/company-logo_100_100/0/1626808053757?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=og4PSBwUCXf-yfvItPtSNcu2G8WA2sLz71yZZIOyyWQ
Study in England Program Coordinator
AIGA Minnesota
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aiga-minnesota
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C560BAQF6sjnLLWkt7A/company-logo_100_100/0/1533708823807?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=AALuztRJjvNWoM297vc0uD9kBnj1NwwBYPB3ttvZlsU
Education Committee Member
University of Minnesota
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-minnesota
International Education Office
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C560BAQES0g1tf6RKkw/company-logo_100_100/0/1626808053757?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=og4PSBwUCXf-yfvItPtSNcu2G8WA2sLz71yZZIOyyWQ
Peer Advisor + Designer
University of Minnesota Duluth
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-minnesota-duluth
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQF-6RCRD1C8HQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519884973632?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=R2bv_SXhOpOMm6Yjite52QYFXDq6B3ov_SMEF6xISt8
Residential Advisor
BFA Graphic Design + Minors: Spanish, International Studies
Graphic Design
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQF-6RCRD1C8HQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519884973632?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=R2bv_SXhOpOMm6Yjite52QYFXDq6B3ov_SMEF6xISt8
University of Minnesota-Duluth
https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-minnesota-duluth/
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C510BAQEdLkLApRkMcQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1519897705688?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=9kytPSQqz-PcTzwtWXmW6dVOVge9aLHblq3XsoyjY0U
The University of Birmingham
https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-birmingham/
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQFtT_gdfuuzvg/company-logo_100_100/0/1539309242943?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=e5jl8NDRNB6wNkvzlmMu9n_1EjaZbX78wkE2pjipR8s
Eden Prairie Senior High School
https://www.linkedin.com/school/eden-prairie-senior-high-school/
USAC
Category 3 State Criterium Race Champion
thechainlink.org
Chainlink Bike Ambassador
Logged the most miles by a female during the 2016 Biker Commuter Challenge
bikecommuterchallenge.org
Chicago Biker Commuter Challenge Queen
On the Grid is a user-friendly guide curated by talented local designers who want to share exceptional places in their neighborhood with the rest of the world. 

My Project: www.onthegrid.city/chicago/north-center
hyperakt.com
North Center Neighborhood Curator / City Ambassador
Education
Airbnb Creative Jam LIVE with Adobe XD
https://www.linkedin.com/company/airbnb
Adobe Creative Jam LIVE is a virtual event series where thought leaders share a behind-the-scene peek into their processes and projects; meanwhile, teams compete in a tournament that puts their creative skills to the test using Adobe Creative Cloud.

As an off air judge, my responsibility is to review and judge projects within a 24 hour window based on a four (4) part scoring rubric; (1) does the solution address a target audience and their needs? (2) does the prototype solve the problem in an innovate way (3) is the user experience and interface intuitive and easy to navigate? (4) is the visual design used in a thoughtful and meaningful way?

--

Airbnb Creative Jam Challenge:

Empower families and groups of friends who travel together a collaborative way to document, organize, and share their travel experiences and stays to the larger Airbnb community. In a mobile app, provide a way to combine photos and/or notes and transform their shared family trips into immersive stories about the culture and destinations they visit.

You may also design a way for other guests to browse curated stories about experiences and activities by locale or destination type, and inspire them to visit in person and save their selections for future reference. This app may either be Airbnb-branded or be a 3rd party app serving Airbnb travelers, it's up to you.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C560BAQFhfl32crIGIw/company-logo_100_100/0/1595528954632?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=D3Z35Gcu7a2YN1lqSxZyY9Gzbz2Y7a_7GklZKxu-MBk
Off Air Judge  |  Adobe
Education
Rip Curl
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rip-curl
Adobe Creative Jam LIVE is a virtual event series where thought leaders share a behind-the-scene peek into their processes and projects; meanwhile, teams compete in a tournament that puts their creative skills to the test using Adobe Creative Cloud.

As an off air judge, my responsibility is to review and judge projects within a 24 hour window based on a four (4) part scoring rubric; (1) does the solution address a target audience and their needs? (2) does the prototype solve the problem in an innovate way (3) is the user experience and interface intuitive and easy to navigate? (4) is the visual design used in a thoughtful and meaningful way?

--

Rip Curl Creative Jam Challenge:

Develop a third-party mobile app that encourages local coastal communities to take action and help preserve their coastal environments, through one or more of these example functions:

•   Engage the greater community to volunteer in preservation efforts
•   Provide a way to educate others about coastal habitats, why they matter, and how they can be maintained
•   Promote advocacy for more sustainable ways to produce, recycle, and reuse
•   Gamify active awareness and activism such as promotion, donations, or volunteerism
•   Elevate news, companies, organizations, and/or individuals focused on this progress
•   Integrate virtual or augmented reality to connect preservation outcomes with visual impact
•   Encourage social media sharing to create momentum

This audience includes Rip Curl surfers and fans, but does not necessarily focus on them, so design for a tar-get market with varying levels of awareness of coastal issues and technological prowess.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C560BAQFfRtb9LIdp9Q/company-logo_100_100/0/1619499286115?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=-rR3toajudz8kCm7m4pD2uHXrCFgH_itQ9yJWzr3oPE
Off Air Judge  |  Adobe
Education
Oxfam America
https://www.linkedin.com/company/oxfam-america
Adobe Creative Jam LIVE is a virtual event series where thought leaders share a behind-the-scene peek into their processes and projects; meanwhile, teams compete in a tournament that puts their creative skills to the test using Adobe Creative Cloud.

As an off air judge, my responsibility is to review and judge projects within a 24 hour window based on a four (4) part scoring rubric; (1) does the solution address a target audience and their needs? (2) does the prototype solve the problem in an innovate way (3) is the user experience and interface intuitive and easy to navigate? (4) is the visual design used in a thoughtful and meaningful way?
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQF6rmjpyR6CGQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1636135316131?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=8tBcAJEIYj9B1bUoA0Kz1sZVjQYozV27TYJxPH7J_60
Off Air Judge  |  Adobe
Education
General Assembly
https://www.linkedin.com/company/generalassembly
Adobe Creative Jam LIVE is a virtual event series where thought leaders share a behind-the-scene peek into their processes and projects; meanwhile, teams compete in a tournament that puts their creative skills to the test using Adobe Creative Cloud.

As an off air judge, my responsibility is to review and judge projects within a 24 hour window based on a four (4) part scoring rubric; (1) does the solution address a target audience and their needs? (2) does the prototype solve the problem in an innovate way (3) is the user experience and interface intuitive and easy to navigate? (4) is the visual design used in a thoughtful and meaningful way?

--

General Assembly Creative Jam Challenge:

Design a third-party mobile app to help underrepresented creatives access hiring opportunities, showcases, communities, and/or other resources that ultimately
empower them and allow them to thrive.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E0BAQEwAxD22k-HBw/company-logo_100_100/0/1629948625988?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=V4eF4rTK0G51QsDRVVBXbyy_JrpSEjvruRqAiCSavik
Off-Air Judge | Adobe
Education
Amazon Creative Jam LIVE with Adobe XD
https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon
Adobe Creative Jam LIVE is a virtual event series where thought leaders share a behind-the-scene peek into their processes and projects; meanwhile, teams compete in a tournament that puts their creative skills to the test using Adobe Creative Cloud.

As an off air judge, my responsibility is to review and judge projects within a 24 hour window based on a four (4) part scoring rubric; (1) does the solution address a target audience and their needs? (2) does the prototype solve the problem in an innovate way (3) is the user experience and interface intuitive and easy to navigate? (4) is the visual design used in a thoughtful and meaningful way?

--

Amazon Design Jam Challenge:

Design a tablet app (Android, Fire, iPad, etc) to provide a safe way for high school students (ages 13+) to #DiscoverDesign. This app should encourage students to:

• Discover what design is and how they interact with it every day
• Help them see the impact of good or bad design
• Encourage them to explore jobs/careers in design
• Inspire them to start their own career in design
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C560BAQHTvZwCx4p2Qg/company-logo_100_100/0/1612205615891?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=AVKhS-aqZ8h_yaf-McQWAc1jIlHiawZrjoadhfnNFOM
Off Air Judge  |  Adobe
Education
Viacom + MTV USA
https://www.linkedin.com/company/viacom
Adobe Creative Jam LIVE is a virtual event series where thought leaders share a behind-the-scene peek into their processes and projects; meanwhile, teams compete in a tournament that puts their creative skills to the test using Adobe Creative Cloud.

As an off air judge, my responsibility is to review and judge projects within a 24 hour window based on a four (4) part scoring rubric; (1) does the solution address a target audience and their needs? (2) does the prototype solve the problem in an innovate way (3) is the user experience and interface intuitive and easy to navigate? (4) is the visual design used in a thoughtful and meaningful way?

-- 

College + MTV Creative Jam Challenge:

Your challenge is to design a mobile app that empowers an individual to encourage advocacy among their network by sharing. Tie the sharing to a cultural event or historic movement important to them and give them tools encouraging donations, volunteerism, and action.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D0BAQHTYwGMfQruFQ/company-logo_100_100/0/1522358369644?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=IlYWO0-5YDFyVK6vR3GZc2OMEqtGrEX1C9ZVp8Jd8KU
Off Air Judge | Adobe
Education
The University of Texas
https://www.linkedin.com/company/theuniversityoftexasataustin-
Adobe Creative Jam LIVE is a virtual event series where thought leaders share a behind-the-scene peek into their processes and projects; meanwhile, teams compete in a tournament that puts their creative skills to the test using Adobe Creative Cloud.

As an off air judge, my responsibility is to review and judge projects within a 24 hour window based on a four (4) part scoring rubric; (1) does the solution address a target audience and their needs? (2) does the prototype solve the problem in an innovate way (3) is the user experience and interface intuitive and easy to navigate? (4) is the visual design used in a thoughtful and meaningful way?

--

University of Texas Creative Jam Challenge:

Design a mobile phone app that: generates solutions to optimize infrastructure, mobility, public services, utilities, communication, public health, or resource distribution on a local, regional, statewide, or national level. 

Meaningfully and positively impacts the community and improves equity.
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C560BAQEREeDg1PACXA/company-logo_100_100/0/1617385772288?e=1655942400&v=beta&t=6Fy7FwzOotZIGTB0J49PEIwHcwt6NiV91XmViYsPJ5Y
Off Air Judge | Adobe
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-hagemeier
Anoka, MN
Tyler Hagemeier
AR Specialist at PURIS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/birinder-sangha-07102010a
Keller, TX
Birinder Sangha
Manager Analytics & Reporting | Network Operations & Solution Delivery at HCSC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dain-cockrell-6b0121150
Normal, IL
Dain Cockrell
Insurance Agent at Mutual of Omaha
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilary-youkhana-98b4211a1
Greater Chicago Area
Hilary Youkhana
Sr. Sales Manager
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbkimball
West Des Moines, IA
Jeff Kimball, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, ChSNC®, APMA®
Branch Manager at Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaxon-trow-aa297984
Minneapolis, MN
Jaxon Trow
Sr. Manager, Digital Display, Audio & Video at Target
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylyn-vahary-47a210234
Valparaiso, IN
Kaylyn Vahary
--
https://www.linkedin.com/in/asha-mathai-b21570232
Chicago, IL
Asha Mathai
Attorney and Contract Negotiator/Procurement & Contract Lifecycle Manager
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-epstein-70711124
Nashville, TN
Aaron Epstein
Partnerships at Qventus
https://www.linkedin.com/in/codysims819
Austin, TX
Cody Sims
Senior Cloud Partner Executive
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurabeystehner
Atlanta, GA
Laura Beystehner
Southeast Region Alliance Leader - Slalom
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-cleary-
Greater Chicago Area
Erin Cleary
Senior Account Executive, Data Partnerships at Ibotta, Inc.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-mendez-01870b180
Greater Chicago Area
Jocelyn Mendez
Currently finishing my Bachelor's Degree while seeking an internship for Summer 2022
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bella-wabick-0a4032208
Palos Park, IL
Bella Wabick
Senior in college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-zimmer-73467443
Boulder, CO
Robyn Zimmer
Media Director, Partner at Sterling-Rice Group
https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-sippl-1bba0b141
St Paul, MN
Greg Sippl
Controller at PURIS Grains
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gretchenmsavage
United States
Gretchen Savage
Self-Employed
https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-majewski
Holly Springs, NC
Beth Majewski
Quality Assurance Associate II
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciara-londrigan-860616190
Chicago, IL
Ciara Londrigan
Executive Administrator at Command Group
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-butts-38379b6
Beaverton, OR
Ray Butts
Retired-VP, Creative Director North America/Brand Design at Nike Inc.
Monica Macellari King
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        Anna is a thoughtful, hands-on, user-driven creative. She takes time to fully understand a problem, before diving into a solution. While her design skills are exceptional, she's also a natural researcher, project manager, and experiential architect. It's been a pleasure working with Anna...she's a must on ANY team. LinkedIn User
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        Anna is a pleasure to be on a team with. She always brings a positive attitude. She is great at de-escalating situations and getting people to rally together, no matter who she's working with.  

Anna is a fantastic consultant and designer and is excellent at managing her time and others, prioritizing deliverables, and communicating with clients face-to-face. 
Liked by Anna Affias
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We're #hiring for a couple Workforce Management roles at Aon… Aon is now hiring a Workforce Operations Manager: Apply today…
Liked by Anna Affias
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Research has shown that companies that focus on #ESG concerns experience higher equity returns & better performance. Learn More:…
Liked by Anna Affias
https://www.linkedin.com/signup/cold-join
“Give them the vision to do the right things, and they're excited to do it,' Suryadevara said. 'You’ve got to make sure they're happy as well, and…
AIGA Women's Leadership Group
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C5107AQEnYOl8BHwXSw/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631429499212?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=lMfc9u_aJP4Q9XVODjQm8912tUcEtUZs_7gxW-tX6Jw
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8125690
Slalom Quote to Cash (QTC) Practice
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C5607AQEK8utu8FsxVQ/group-logo_image-shrink_92x92/0/1631008854601?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=ng5a5C3soN-HPlHsu9GQbZkL4ke3GyCcLUg6W8KxVLk
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13912323
AIGA Minnesota
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C5607AQGJSKm9pN1vhg/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631429816690?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=n63-TN-ztDRn2yQ8SXRmG7aHqsX9BJdSb5gmew66m8E
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1412157
SXSW Interactive
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQFjRc07-ehj3g/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631366932835?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=rCqCpl0P47UvIg_r9QGWqHw4QeIBrC2PpTdDbUzG9ZQ
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/73016
Chicago UX/UI Designers
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQEIA1RUGsYXzQ/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631358725121?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=exkhbDqY38OjTWNhQ80BRcGa_qUrb7n5axRJYZXf4vg
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3492063
Marketing Werks Alumni (1987-2013)
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4E07AQHZP9iu4f8sHg/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631361635385?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=8eU9fNO319iPUeKTOw0RuuXRNDb7eR00CF2q_59iH9I
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6751037
University of Minnesota - Duluth (UMD)
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C5607AQHzkc0gyGrmaA/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631436738800?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=S6K4itYc6ZZWBJT7BS2RdL8m6t6js94hBYLwLwlmSUw
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1431657
Study Abroad Faculty & Professionals
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C4D07AQGTasgdJ3jpWg/group-logo_image-shrink_92x92/0/1639413860733?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=kAyyi5MfX_ZacjYq6N3Q_O6hyXDEaTK_TxNm4d6MmRA
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/158718
AIGA Minnesota Emerging Designers
https://media-exp1.licdn.com/dms/image/C5607AQGGC4LxxuSHBg/group-logo_image-shrink_200x200/0/1631420234438?e=1647691200&v=beta&t=jnx4woVsxdusq7shFZYw-eFfbGSV6Bjws4E1yatJ12w
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/6600569