Ashwood Heffern brings over 10 years of partnership-building experience to XPRIZE. In his role as Manager of Partnerships & Impact, he focuses on establishing impactful collaborations between the public and private sectors.

Before joining XPRIZE, Ashwood spent 8 years at the U.S. Department of State as a Senior Partnerships Officer in the Office of Global Partnerships. He is passionate about creating initiatives that connect diverse industries and has successfully led partnerships with multinational corporations, governments, and civil society organizations in the U.S., Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Movement and exploration have been constants in his life. Most recently he traveled around the world with his family for a year. However, early in his career, Ashwood worked on a historic wooden sailboat, participating in its restoration and enduring a challenging sea journey from Malta to Singapore.

Ashwood has also co-authored a children's book on sustainability and served as the founder and co-producer of TEDxTysons, where he co-curated themed events that reached millions around the globe.

Outside of work, Ashwood enjoys adventuring with his family and is an avid angler.