Partner Spotlight: Shell

Shell and 2axend: A Winning Pair!

2axend's story is deeply personal and rooted in the lived experiences of founder and CEO, Corey Axelrod (a deaf individual), and his family. When Corey was a senior in college, his father, Rick Axelrod, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a rare and incurable cancer of the bone marrow. As a Deaf individual, Rick encountered numerous challenges in the healthcare system, including occasions where he was denied sign language interpreters and dealt with culturally insensitive healthcare professionals. This was a struggle for him until he passed away in 2012.

Inspired by his father's resilience, he founded 2axend, a strategic consulting and training firm, in 2017. He named the company “2axend” to honor his father's unwavering spirit and to help fulfill a promise he made to him: to ensure that no other Deaf individual would have to go through what Rick did. The mission of 2axend is to break down disability barriers and redefine accessibility for the Deaf and hard of hearing community.

2axend works with organizations to improve the user experiences for their Deaf and hard of hearing stakeholders. 2axend is certified by Disability:IN as a disability-owned business enterprise (DOBE). 2axend is made up of Deaf and hard of hearing personnel, which means their work is personal—they are the recipients of the experiences they help their clients deliver. They combine a unique "Deaf lens" with expertise in accessibility, risk management, and legal compliance.

According to its purpose, 2axend envisions a world where universal access and belonging are the standard, not the exception, for the over <strong>50 million Deaf and hard of hearing Americans</strong>. The company provides strategic guidance and training with the goal to implement lasting change and cultivate a sense of belonging for all.

The consulting firm’s client portfolio includes industry leaders such as SAP, Discover, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, reflecting its broad impact and trusted reputation. When Corey is not busy advocating, consulting and training others, he produces a weekly newsletter on LinkedIn, #ConversationsWithCorey, offering insights into topics relevant to the Deaf and hard of hearing community. Corey considers the newsletter to be a valuable resource for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding and responsiveness in this space.

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Corey currently serves as a member of the ASTM International’s F43.06 Subcommittee on Captioning Standards. Corey is a past three-term president of the Illinois Association of the Deaf, Illinois’ leading civil rights organization of, by and for Deaf and hard of hearing Illinoisans. He has also served as a member of the Northwest Community Hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, 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 recipient of several accolades, including the Knights of Flying Fingers Award from the National Association of the Deaf and the J.B. &amp; Beatrice Davis Leadership Award from the Illinois Association of the Deaf.

In alignment with Shell USA’s (“Shell’s”) commitment to supplier development and community investment, Shell’s Human Resources (HR) hosted two pitch days designed to spotlight HR-related businesses. These events provided a platform for suppliers to present their solutions across key HR focus areas, including Policy &amp; Benefits, Leadership Development, Integrated Resourcing, and Employee Relations.

Among the standout participants was Corey, who earned the distinction of delivering the “Best Pitch” at the U.S. HR Supplier Development Pitch Day in 2024. His presentation was lauded by the Pitch Day attendees for its compelling content, authentic storytelling, and clear articulation of 2axend’s value proposition. In recognition of this achievement, Shell USA sponsored Corey’s registration for the 2025 Disability:IN Global Conference and Expo, a premier event focused on advancing disability inclusion in business. Photos from the conference and Corey’s speaking engagements further highlight his ongoing advocacy and leadership.

Shell’s Supplier Development program continues to invest in suppliers that improve competition, drive innovation, and uplift the communities in which we live and work. Corey and 2axend exemplify the transformative potential of inclusive business practices—and the power of purpose-driven leadership.

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