JUSTIN AHRENS

Chief Creative Officer, Rule29

Justin Ahrens is a creative leader, author, teacher, and speaker who believes creativity is most powerful when it serves people. He is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Rule29, an employee-owned brand agency he has led for more than 26 years, and serves as Chief Creative Officer at O’Neil Printing Companies as well. Justin has spent his career helping nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations turn purpose into action. His work focuses on using brand, design, and storytelling to create clarity, build trust, and drive meaningful social impact. He is especially drawn to work that strengthens culture, advances dignity, and helps people feel seen and valued.

Justin has spoken at Adobe MAX, TEDx, Creative Mornings, the AIGA National Conference, and the White House, sharing how design can improve lives and communities. His Wheels4Water initiative was recognized by Fast Company as a World Changing Idea for its role in expanding access to clean water. He is the author of Life Kerning and is currently writing Being Humankind, a book about leading and living with kindness in a distracted world. Justin hosts two podcasts, The Design Of and Running Ahrens, where he explores creativity, purpose, leadership, family, and the human side of work.