Naomi S. Norelli Communications, Content, Digital, Marketing Strategy Leader

For me, digital strategy has never been just about building products. It’s about building the right kind of products—ones that serve people inclusively, responsibly, and with long-term impact in mind.

In an era where technology touches nearly every aspect of our lives, businesses have a choice: do we optimize for speed and scale alone, or do we create digital solutions that also reflect our values? I’ve learned that when we choose the latter—anchoring strategy in accessibility and sustainability—the results are not only more ethical but also more effective.

Accessibility: Creating Experiences for All

Accessibility is too often treated as a compliance checkbox. But in practice, accessible design makes products better for everyone.

• Clearer navigation helps users with disabilities—and makes the journey smoother for those on small screens or in distracting environments.
• High-contrast text improves readability for low-vision users—and helps anyone reading in bright sunlight.
• Screen reader compatibility benefits blind users—and streamlines content structure for all.

On a redesign I led, prioritizing accessibility early didn’t just ensure WCAG compliance—it improved satisfaction scores across our entire customer base. By embedding inclusivity into the foundation of the product, we created an experience that was easier, faster, and more enjoyable for all users.

Accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s smart business.

Sustainability: Efficiency with Purpose

Sustainability is often associated with big, long-term ESG initiatives—renewable energy, carbon reporting, and global commitments. While those matter, digital sustainability also lives in the details.

Simple actions like optimizing images, reducing redundant content, and streamlining code not only lower energy consumption but also deliver direct business benefits:

• Faster load times improve SEO and reduce bounce rates.
• Leaner storage and hosting cut costs.
• Green cloud providers align with consumer values, strengthening brand reputation.

On one project, these changes reduced our platform’s digital footprint while also driving performance improvements. The result was both eco-conscious and operationally efficient.

Alignment: Inspiring Teams Through Purpose

When teams see that their work contributes to something bigger—whether it’s enabling access for all users or reducing environmental impact—they show up differently.

Values-driven leadership creates alignment that goes beyond roadmaps and release dates. It sparks pride, motivation, and creativity. Teams aren’t just shipping features—they’re building meaningful solutions.

This sense of purpose is contagious. It strengthens collaboration, attracts talent, and reinforces organizational culture.

The Future of Digital Leadership

I believe the future of digital leadership is at the intersection of technology, accessibility, and sustainability.

Products that are inclusive reach more people.
Products that are sustainable perform smarter and cost less.
Products that are values-driven build trust, loyalty, and long-term success.

In short: values-driven innovation wins.

As leaders, we each have the power to decide what principles shape our digital strategies.

I’d love to hear from you! What values guide how you approach innovation in your work?