Rockefeller Foundation — Enterprise WordPress Platform (Accessibility-Focused)

screenshot of the Rockefeller Foundation website

The Rockefeller Foundation is a global nonprofit with a large, content-rich website serving a broad international audience.

Client: The Rockefeller Foundation

Role: Tech Lead

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The Problem

The organization needed to replace an aging website with a modern platform that could support:

  • A large volume of content across multiple formats (articles, podcasts, videos, case studies)
  • Strict accessibility requirements aligned with WCAG standards
  • A flexible system for editors to build pages without breaking design consistency
  • Reliable performance for a global audience, including users on older devices and slower connections
  • At the same time, the project required coordination across designers, stakeholders, and a distributed development team.

The Solution

I led development of a custom WordPress theme and component system, working closely with designers, stakeholders, and accessibility consultants to deliver a scalable and accessible platform.

Technical Leadership & Architecture

  • Defined the overall architecture for the WordPress implementation
  • Led a small development team, including mentoring and code review for junior developers
  • Collaborated daily with stakeholders and cross-functional teams to align technical decisions with business goals

Reusable Component System

  • Built a flexible content system using ACF Pro, enabling editors to construct pages from ~20 reusable components
  • Components included:
    • Video and podcast modules
    • Case study layouts
    • Multi-column content blocks
    • Image galleries
  • Designed the editor experience with clear constraints and helper text, allowing flexibility while preserving design integrity

Accessibility Implementation

  • Partnered with a dedicated accessibility consulting team to meet strict WCAG requirements
  • Implemented:
    • Full keyboard navigation
    • ARIA roles and semantic markup
    • Accessible color and contrast systems
    • Screen reader compatibility
    • Reduced motion considerations
  • Iteratively addressed audit findings through structured QA and Jira-based workflows

Performance Optimization

  • Reduced JavaScript and CSS overhead to improve load times
  • Ensured compatibility with older browsers and lower-powered devices, supporting users in regions with limited connectivity

Post-Launch Support

  • Continued to support the platform after launch with:
    • Ongoing maintenance
    • Feature enhancements
    • Stability and performance improvements

Results

  • Delivered a fully accessible, enterprise-grade WordPress platform aligned with WCAG standards
  • Enabled editorial teams to manage hundreds of pages using a flexible but controlled component system
  • Improved performance and usability for a global audience across a wide range of devices and network conditions
  • Provided a scalable foundation for ongoing content growth and feature development
  • Successfully launched and maintained a high-visibility site for a major global nonprofit