Russell Winfield
Global Ambassador · Arc'teryx Equipment
Los Angeles, CA
In My Own Words
Since the early ‘90s, Russell Winfield has stood at the intersection of snowboarding, street culture, and design—as the first Black professional snowboarder and a lifelong advocate for representation in outdoor sports and creative industries.
His journey began with shaping the identity of iconic brands like Ride Snowboards, Dub Outerwear, and Alpha Numeric—where he helped build teams and design products that championed individuality and style. From there, he brought his perspective to collaborations with Holden Outerwear and Nike Snowboarding, designing gear for elite athletes and pushing boundaries in both performance and design.
In 2020, Russell reappeared on the cover of Snowboarder Magazine, bringing attention to the legacy of Black snowboarders and creators—an experience that led to a meaningful collaboration with Virgil Abloh and a limited-edition pro model snowboard that blended fashion, identity, and sport.
Today, he leads Ayee Esse, a Black-owned creative studio focused on mentoring diverse talent and crafting impactful work across fashion, music, art, and culture. He collaborates with brands like Arc'teryx, Loro Piana, JBL, and more—helping shape authentic narratives and breakthrough design.
Russell serves as a global ambassador for Arc'teryx and a brand partner with Athletic Brewing Co., while also mentoring the next generation of creatives through the Virgil Abloh Scholarship Fund, where he supports young talent pursuing careers in fashion. Russell can also be seen across various campaigns for brands like Supreme, UNDEFEATED, Malbon Golf, and more.
More than 30 years in, he’s still riding—and still pushing for a more inclusive, expressive, and creative future.
Work Experience
Global Ambassador
Arc'teryx Equipment2021 – Present
• Led cultural initiatives to redefine outdoor exploration, like "Climbing and Culture" merging climbing, art, music, and community. • Advocated for inclusivity in outdoor spaces through storytelling and strategic partnerships. • Introduced Arc'teryx to non-profit organizations like "Hoods to Woods", creatively directed impactful video projects like "No Wasted Days"
Founder/Owner and Creative Director
Ayee Esse2021 – Present
• Spearhead brand storytelling initiatives for global brands in action sports, outdoor culture, streetwear and high fashion driving authentic narratives and culturally relevant design. • Lead product design projects focused on elevating diverse voices and redefining representation in creative industries. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to merge sport, fashion, and identity, creating inclusive and forward-thinking creative work.
Mentor
Virgil Abloh Foundation2025 – Present
• Mentor the next generation of Black creatives in fashion, embodying Virgil Abloh's legacy of access and limitless imagination. • Facilitate opportunities for underrepresented individuals in the industry to thrive and succeed. • Establish strong relationships with student mentees to provide guidance and support throughout their educational journey.
Director of Collective Access
Elevate Outdoor Collective2019 – 2024
Founded a multi-year DEI initiative, launching the “Route One” program to guide BIPOC youth into outdoor industry careers, while leading authentic storytelling and community engagement.
Athlete / Director of Partnerships
Ride Snowboards2019 – 2024
Rejoined as a global athlete and creative lead, guiding brand direction across product, campaigns, and identity. Blended athlete insight with cultural strategy to grow reach and relevance.
Creative Consultant
Holden Outerwear2011 – 2018
• Directed video and photo shoots, styled models, and scouted locations for Holden Outerwear in Seattle, Washington. • Managed creative projects from concept to completion, ensuring brand vision and aesthetic were maintained. • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to execute marketing campaigns and increase brand visibility.
Athlete / Product Consultant
Nike2011 – 2017
Leveraged deep industry experience to advise Nike’s snowboard design team on boot design and innovation for future product iterations.
Real Estate Development Project Manager
Proletariat Services2011 – 2015
Managed multiple residential and commercial job sites concurrently. Coordinated subcontractors, secured permits, ensured code compliance, and maintained schedules to deliver projects on time and within budget.
Education
Art Institute of Seattle
General Assembly
2016 – 2016
