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
Ann Gaudard Weeby
Chair Emeritus
Senior Vice President of Trailhead at Salesforce
Dr. Sepehr Moghadam
Board Member
Head of Special Projects, University Relations at Google
Rossana Wang
Board Member
Co-founder & CMO of Wang & Partners
Alicia Hammond
Board Member
Gender Specialist at the World Bank Group
Mukul Aggarwal
Board Member
Consultant, BCG
Jessica Kung
Board Member
Senior Product Manager at Roblox
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
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.
Shivani Chatterjee, Director of Development
Shivani is a skilled fundraiser and story-teller who brings the analytical tools and creativity of an MBA to Technovation's fundraising and growth strategies. Shivani has bachelors degrees in Government and History from the University of Texas at Austin, and an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management where she focused on social entrepreneurship. She is passionate about education as a tool for gender, racial, and economic equity, and has experience working for mission-driven organizations such as Communities In Schools, Impact Hub San Francisco, and the education consulting firm Safal Partners. Shivani has always felt that the educational opportunities in her life came with a responsibility to create similar opportunities for other girls, and she is so excited to fulfill this calling as part of the Technovation team. Shivani is a vegetarian and an ice cream lover. She enjoys all things music — singing, dancing, playing instruments, discovering new artists on Spotify, all of it!
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.
Judith Ahumada, Program Director
Judy helps develop programs that empower girls to solve community problems with technology. Additionally, she supports our volunteer Chapter Ambassadors across Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. She brings with her over 10 years of experience working in the youth service sector as well as a wealth of experience in management and program development. Judy joined the Technovation team in 2015 where she continues to be inspired by the passion and commitment of the organization to amplify the voices of girls everywhere and prepare them to tackle today’s global issues with technology. During her off hours, Judy can often be found sewing a new creation, roller skating with her niece and nephew, or trying her hand at a new recipe such as making fresh pasta with her husband.
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.
Mackenzie Dancho, Corporate Volunteer Engagement Manager
Mackenzie is committed to building a strong community of volunteers to support Technovation's programs. Mackenzie received her B.S. in Sociology and Political Science from Fordham University. Prior to joining Technovation, Mackenzie worked in Government as a Policy Analyst focused on criminal justice reform. She has also worked with the Digital India Initiative to improve government-to-citizen interactions in India. Mackenzie joined Technovation because she believes that to have holistic systems reform, we need more women using their problem solving skills from positions of leadership. She loves working with Technovation to create a space where girls can have their first leadership experience. Outside of work you can catch Mackenzie learning guitar and enjoying the great outdoors with a hike, surf or simple beach walk.
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.
Kate Fauteux, Alumni Program Manager
Kate works directly with students, volunteers, and alumni, creating opportunities for them to learn and grow. Part of her role includes leading the global Student Ambassador program, which entails engaging with alumni to recruit and mentor students in their local communities. Kate brings with her an extensive background in online education development and managing online learning systems. With a passion for storytelling, Kate's mission is to ensure that every Technovation participant feels empowered to use their voice and vision to build a better world. In her spare time, Kate enjoys listening to music, cooking, and spending time with her amazing niece!
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.
Liz Giannini, Development Specialist
Liz is Technovation’s Development Specialist. She assists the Fund-Raising Team by providing behind the scenes support and lending a hand to other departments as needed. With nine years’ experience working at a national non-profit and seven years in IT Technovation’s mission completely aligns with her passions. Liz enjoys spending time at the gym with her husband and talking long walks on the beach.
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, Content Manager
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, Marketing Coordinator
Anna uses social media to share the stories of Technovation’s participants and partners. Anna received her B.S. in Marketing from DePaul University and went on to work for MillerCoors and GlobalGiving prior to joining Technovation. Her commitment to fighting for gender equality started when she was 1 of the 2 girls in her 40 person coding class in college. She is honored to highlight the problem-solving abilities and determination of the girls and communities that Technovation serves. Outside of work, Anna can be found doing yoga, meditating, trying food from new restaurants, or playing with her Mini-Australian Shepherd, Buster.
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.
Michelle Miranda, Program Support Intern
Michelle is a Program Intern for Technovation, she supports the team's various departments and global community. She earned her B.S. in Biology from California State University, Long Beach, where she found a passion for building bridges that allowed more girls to pursue STEM majors. In her spare time, Michelle can be found reading, visiting museums, or trying new recipes.
Shannon Murphy, Development and Communications Manager
Shannon supports Technovation’s fundraising and marketing teams. She holds a master’s degree in global social work from Boston College. Prior to joining Technovation, she worked in various fundraising roles for international development organizations. She is a returned Peace Corps volunteer and currently lives in Saint Paul.
Raeana Samuel
As the Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Raeana builds 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 skill for a fun piece of home decor, supporting a small, local business or adding to her growing recipe book collection.
Elizabeth Vodak, Senior Accountant
Beth is responsible for the preparation of the financial records, analysis and creation of the financial statements and ensuring regulatory compliance in Technovation's accounting practices. She graduated from Polytechnic Univ. of the Philippines with a BS in Accounting and has worked for Glaxo SmithKline, MicroFit, Murdoch & Assoc. Consulting. She came to the US in '92 because she believes that this is a great country that allows freedom and equal opportunity for anybody who will work hard and is self reliant. A mother of two boys, she played volleyball in high school and college, loves the outdoors - biking, skiing, zip-lining, hang-gliding, kayaking with her husband, Paul.