Level up your internal communications

Roy Schwartz is co-founder and CEO at Axios HQ, the world’s first AI-powered internal communications management platform. In HQ’s first two years, Roy guided its spinout from Axios Media — to be a standalone high-growth SaaS startup — and closed HQ’s $20 million Series A.

He’s also the co-founder of Axios, the award-winning news organization known for its Smart Brevity® writing style. Roy oversaw company strategy and business operation, led Axios through multiple funding rounds, and closed its $525 million acquisition by Cox Enterprises.

Zoom in:

• Roy was the executive producer of Axios’ Emmy Award-winning docu-news series “Axios on HBO.”
• He is also the co-author of “Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less,” a book that shares the research behind Smart Brevity — and how anyone can be a more effective communicator.

Prior to Axios, Roy was…

• Politico’s Chief Revenue Officer, scaling the company Axel Springer would later acquire for more than $1 billion.
• Gallup’s Partner in management consulting practice for Washington D.C. and California, advising Fortune 500 companies on employee and customer engagement.

Connie Marean is the Chief People Officer at Axios HQ. Since taking over the company’s recruiting and people ops teams in 2023, Connie has shown a passion for building outstanding workforces and vibrant cultures.

• Zoom in: She is a subject matter expert in revamping business cultures and growing engagement in entrepreneurial organizations — through transformative talent development, operational transformation, and complex leadership strategies.

Prior to Axios HQ, Connie was…

• Head of People at Metaplex Studios, scaling its people function.
• Chief Talent Officer and Employment Counsel at The Windquest Group, building its HR department and playing a vital role in team growth from 210 to 1,400+ employees across 28+ states.
• Corporate Counsel at Amway, supporting domestic business units and global immigration and providing counsel on employment law and immigration matters.

Dave Cumberland is the Chief Technology Officer at Axios HQ. Since taking over the company’s tech teams in 2021, Dave has scaled infrastructure, more than tripled staff, and established Axios HQ as the tech leader in smartly — but safely — bringing AI-powered software into internal communications.

• Zoom in: He plays a key role in defining Axios HQ’s strategic growth plan, ensured business continuity through its 2022 spinout from Axios Media, and helped secure the $20 million Series A that closed in 2023.

Prior to Axios HQ, Dave was…

• VP of Engineering at Pluralsight, through its $3.5 billion acquisition by Vista Equity Partners.
• VP of Engineering at GitPrime, through its $170 million acquisition by Pluralsight.
• Chief Technology Officer and Chief Product Officer at Shopatron through its acquisition by Vista Equity Partners

Tristyn Hassani is Head of Internal Communications at Axios HQ. She’s been a part of the team since day one and partners with stakeholders across the organizations to set strategy, improve operations and help the entire organization be more efficient and effective. She currently leads the strategy and operations team and oversees internal and executive operations.

• Zoom in: Tristyn joined Axios Media in 2019 to support its three co-founders and was quickly promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff — she played a critical role during the sale of Axios to Cox Enterprises and then moved over to Axios HQ full-time.

Prior to Axios, Tristyn has over a decade of experience across the finance, consulting, and technology sectors.