Technovation
Team
Leadership
Board of Directors
Kate Parker
Board Chair
Chief Operating Officer, Transcend
Sonya Park
Vice Board Chair
Managing Director of Institutional Sales, State Street Global Advisors
Heather Knight
Board Treasurer
General Manager/President, Baxter International
Dr. Sepehr Moghadam
Board Member
Head of Special Projects, University Relations, Google
Sana Khareghani
Board Member
Former Head of UK Government Office for Artificial Intelligence
Adelia Curtis Duarte
Board Member
Operating Partner & Head of Portfolio Operations, Human Capital
Birte Hoehne Mahyera
Board Member
Senior Legal Counsel, Humane
Gabriela Burian
Global Partnerships / Multi-Stakeholder Platform Lead, Bayer
Aliki Sofis
Board Member
Partner, Quinn Emanuel
Alicia Mancheño
Board Member
President, Power to Code
Gauri Manglik
Board Member
Deputy General Counsel, GoFundMe
Elizabeth McDonough
Board Member
Sr. Director, Growth Marketing, Classy.org
Debra Herschmann
Board Member
Design Leader & Advisor, DEI Champion
Kayvan Shahabi
Board Member
Strategic Advisor, Board Member and Retired PwC Principal
Board Observers
Board Observers bring their unique expertise and perspectives to help us achieve our mission: to support and celebrate girls as tech leaders and innovators around the world.
Krithika Moorti
Board Observer
Senior Director, Product Marketing, AI Custom Cloud Solutions at Marvell Technologies
Jonathan Reyes (JR)
Board Observer
VP of HR and Talent Acquisition Operations, Databricks
Global Ambassador
Anar Simpson,
Technovation Global Ambassador
Anar is a key influencer for women, girls and technology. Her advocacy, partnership and growth efforts span the policy level as a Deputy to the United Nations HLP on Women's Economic Empowerment, to Strategic Partnerships Advisor to US State Department TechWomen initiative, and at the grassroots level, as the Global Ambassador for Technovation Girls.
Staff
Technovation Team
Meet the team of people who keep Technovation programs running
Rebecca Anderson, Senior Director of Programs
Rebecca Anderson leads the program team to support leaders and students around the world to make changes in their community through tech. She previously served as Director of Educational Programs at Global Language Project, where she trained language teachers and developed curriculum for language classrooms. She has worked as an elementary and middle school teacher in The Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Japan and holds a BS in Education from the University of Kansas and an MA in International Educational Development from Columbia University Teachers College. Rebecca was inspired to join Technovation after seeing what participants were doing to fight climate change, and loves being outside to hike, run, explore new places, or aspire to compete in a pun competition.
Deborah Boyer, Chief Operating Officer
Deb is the COO at Technovation and also leads the product team in developing the platform that supports the Technovation Girls program. Prior to joining Technovation, she worked as a software project manager focusing on sustainability and open data initiatives. She holds a Master’s degree in Public History and previously taught digital history at Villanova University and Temple University. Most of her outside of work time is spent chasing after her kids and reading as many books as humanly possible.
Bryant Gomer, Sr. Director of Mentor Programs
Bryant leads volunteer engagement with current and prospective corporate partners. Bryant earned his B.A. in Political Science from UC Santa Barbara and a M.A. in Education and Teaching from USC’s Rossier School of Education. Prior to working with nonprofits in the social impact space, Bryant taught Social Studies in middle school and high school classrooms in the Bay Area and Ann Arbor. While teaching in public school high schools, it was clear to Bryant that many of his students lacked meaningful access to the world of work and career pathways. Technovation participants inspire Bryant because they're girls and young women at the forefront of STEM fields and real world problem solving. Bryant can often be found playing below average guitar, he was once in a teacher band "The Common Hard Core", and it is a huge understatement to say that he is a Bruce Springsteen fan.
Shaun Ambrose, Software Developer
Shaun wears many hats to help build and maintain the platforms. He has over 20 years of software development experience working for companies large and small, and is happy to be using his skill set to help bring more underrepresnted people into STEM. Shaun has a young daughter and is grateful to be working for an organization that would help create more opportunities for her and other girls around the world. He loves coming to work each day and feels honored to be working with such an amazing and talented team. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, playing board games, and learning Japanese.
AC Black, Graphic Designer
As Graphic Designer, AC supports Technovation's mission by building visuals that engage, inform, and inspire. AC is passionate about empowering girls to change the world and focuses on creating an impactful brand experience that reflects that passion. AC and Technovation's passion to empower young girls go hand in hand with Ac's experience in Uganda, Africa founding a non-profit in 2014 that focuses on empowering teen girl survivors of sexual injustice and sex trafficking. Outside of work, Ac enjoys advocating and serving for She is More Than, surfing, photography, hiking, and spending time with her dog Bailee.
Megan Black, Volunteer Program Coordinator
Megan supports Technovation volunteers through community building, and is committed to ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed. She has years of experience supporting volunteers in social justice initiatives, and has managed large-scale entrepreneurial programs for girls. Throughout her career, she has seen how transformative mentorship can be, particularly for young women. Megan is passionate about elevating the voices of Technovation volunteers and program participants to empower a new generation of leaders. In her free time, you'll find her cooking, traveling, and spending time with her partner and cats.
Jenna Boles, Content Strategist
As a Content Specialist Jenna creates engaging, brand-specific content for social media platforms. She also provides editing support, collaborates on creative campaign design, and connects with Technovation chapters around the world. With a Master’s in Library and Information Science and ten years of literacy advocacy work, she brings an ability to connect people to information and to each other. Additionally, her experience as a creative copywriter helps her find the most impactful ways to share Technovation’s vision. In her spare time she enjoys adventuring outside with her four kids, throwing pottery, and good trouble.
Vivian Canales
Vivian brings a diverse background of experiences to her role at Technovation as a software developer. Her professional journey includes roles in software development as well as high school education. She holds a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Instructional Technology. At Technovation, Vivian enjoys developing scalable and sustainable solutions that also offer a positive user experience.
Audra Darbyshire, Creative Manager
Audra uses graphic design & video to tell stories and share ideas about Technovation's global community of learners and leaders. Audra earned her BFA in Art from University of Central Florida and from there spent a year as a resident artist at Cub Creek Foundation. After becoming a mother, her determination to contribute to making the world brighter and more sustainable for future generations only deepened. Seeing the accomplishments of Technovation participants fills her with hope for the future. In her free time, Audra is often catching bugs with her kids, tending her vegetable garden, and watching movies with her husband, Sam.
Amy Eernisse-Liang, Alumnae Program Director
Amy leads Technovation's Alumnae Program and the building of programs to support and reengage Technovation Girls' participants as they pursue careers in STEM and entrepreneurship. Her 15 years in the nonprofit sector have been focused educating and empowering humans, with a special focus on youth and young adult leadership and development. Over the last 8 years, she's taken a special interest in workforce development programming specifically within the tech space, working with underrepresented communities, and has supported hundreds of young adults launch sustainable, livable wage careers in the industry. When Amy's not working, you can find her chilling with her favorite pug, Scooter, engaging in a creative hobby, listening to music, or in the great outdoors running, camping, hiking, or climbing.
Sasha Galikeeva, Marketing Operations Specialist
As the Marketing Operations Specialist, Sasha optimizes workflows, supports website and event production and maintains digital spaces to collect and organize data and stories. She received her B.S. in Marketing and M.B.A. from the University of Denver and went on to work in legal marketing acquiring experience in communications, business development and marketing technology. Her role at Technovation combines her passion for nonprofit work and marketing operations experience. In her spare time, you can find Sasha being a disability advocate, dancing and reading a book.
Dagmawit Getahun, Program Manager
As a Program Manager, Dag supports the Technovation program chapters in Africa and Asia. She has 7+ years of experience working in higher education, scientific research and STEM mentoring and outreach. Dag is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and is currently finishing up her PhD at the Graduate Center, CUNY. When she’s not working, Dag loves playing board games, visiting museums, and cooking Ethiopian food.
Natsuyo Ham, AP/Payroll accountant and HR liaison
Natsuyo wears two hats. As Technovation's HR liaison, she assesses and anticipates HR-related needs for technovation, communicates HR & Payroll information proactively to the team, submits HR & Payroll forms and transactions, and helps employees with their HR & Payroll issues. When Natsuyo wears Accounting hats, she makes sure everyone gets paid on time, plus verifies and reconciles transactions against sub-ledgers. Natsuyo worked 5 years as an accountant in Japan and saved up money, and came to New York to see the world. After graduating from SUNY, Natsuyo was offered job training in a company located in Silicon Valley. Growing up in a homogenous society, Natsuyo appreciates differences by living in NY and CA, and she re-discovered her own tradition, customs, food, and safe environment which she took for granted.
Ophélie Horsley, Partnerships Director
Ophélie works closely with our community partners. She helps recruit, train, and support our wonderful Chapter Ambassadors, who manage the program on the ground. Ophélie is originally from France and worked at Crisis Aid International and the Institute of International Education (IIE) before joining Technovation in 2017. The organization's focus on education and empowerment really spoke to her. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, hiking, reading, and trying new food.
Maggie Jaris, Director of Content Strategy
Maggie helps tell the story of Technovation and its participants. Her commitment to fair and equitable education grew out of her experiences as a student in New York City's public school system. She is proud to help share stories of how girls and families around the world are using technology and creative problem solving to change their communities. Outside of work Maggie can be found taking meandering walks through Brooklyn, and stealing time with her sister's dog, Spoon.
Anna Juszczak, Alumnae Volunteers Program Manager
As Technovation's Alumnae Volunteers Program Manager, Anna uses her nonprofit and advocacy experience to empower girls and young women worldwide. With a B.S. in Marketing from DePaul University, she brings experience from companies like MillerCoors and ServiceNow, as well as global nonprofits such as GlobalGiving. Outside of work, Anna can be found practicing yoga, meditating, trying food from new restaurants, or attending a local music or comedy show.
Karen Lang, Curriculum Developer
Karen is a Curriculum Developer for Technovation, supporting Technovation teams as they learn the necessary skills to successfully submit their projects. Karen spent most of her career teaching Computer Science, in several international schools and around New England. She also led the Education team at MIT App Inventor for 5 years. When she is not working, she likes to spend time outdoors - in the woods, on the water, but mostly at the beach.
Nicholas Luu, Program Specialist
Nick helps keep Technovation running by creating a variety of activities for all Technovation participants to experience. Nick received his B.A. in Geography from U.C. Berkeley and shortly after, he started a tea room. Tea and geography opened doors that helped Nick realize he loves hearing other people's stories and deepened his desire to help uplift people in whatever way he can. Nick found his way to Technovation, where inspired by the stories of every girls' journey, he's happily been since. Outside of work, Nick is likely either cooking a new recipe or walking his cat.
Kiki Mantz, Program Coordinator
As Technovation’s Program Coordinator, Kiki helps engage Technovation’s diverse global community by building resources and connections that enable awesome tech and entrepreneurial education experiences for participants and volunteers. With a background in both the tech industry and the nonprofit space, joining Technovation was the best of both worlds for her interests, since she's helping young girls feel empowered to make change in their communities. Outside of work you can find her at the beach, playing flag football, and woking on her Masters degree.
Abbey Mae Pitcher, Program Manager
As Program Manager, Abbey Mae supports Technovation's global program that equips young women with leadership skills to empower their communities. Abbey Mae's passion for educational equity was fueled by her experience as a middle school science teacher and Master's in Curriculum and Instruction. In her role, she is honored to collaborate with the amazing educational leaders who serve as Technovation's Chapter Ambassadors. Outside of work, Abbey Mae and her husband Zachary love to spend time with friends and family, stay active outdoors, and experiment with creative cooking.
Luella Provenza, US Partnerships Specialist
Luella brings over 17 years of nonprofit experience to her role US Partnership Specialist with Technovation. Prior to joining the team, Luella has held roles with local and national organizations dedicated to education equity, social emotional learning, food access, and disaster response. Serving as a board member to Electric Girls, an electrical engineering program for girls in New Orleans, Luella has a vested intested in bridging the STEM opportunity gap for girls. She holds a Masters of Science in Social Development & Health from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Residing in Louisiana, Luella spends her spare time cooking, chasing adventure with her son and husband, and learning how to paint.
Raeana Samuel, Volunteer Engagement Manager
As the Volunteer Program Manager, Raeana works on the strategy behind building the digital community where volunteers engage with each other as they support Technovation Girls. Raeana received her B.Sc specializing in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Waterloo. Prior to joining Technovation, she worked in community outreach and gender equity at the University of Waterloo, where she was the Chapter Ambassador for the Technovation Girls Waterloo chapter and then at Shopify as a Technovation industry partner. When she isn't building community, you can find Raeana trying her hand at a new crochet project, supporting a small, local business or adding to her growing recipe book collection.
Layla Shakerin, Alumnae Engagement Coordinator
As Alumnae Engagement Coordinator, Layla is focused on building community amongst former Technovation participants and empowering them with professional resources for their continued success. She leads communication efforts amongst alumnae, supports skill-building workshops and corporate partner events, and facilitates the integration of alumna voice into all aspects of Technovation programming. Layla brings experience in empathetic research and programmatic design, and continues to leverage human-centered design principles to create positive environments advancing equity, connection, and belonging. Outside of work, you can find Layla exploring the outdoors with her backpack and a good book.