Queenette started her career in development in education. Her interests and desire to work in an environment catered towards advocating for equity and diversity led her to Code Nation. She loves comedy and enjoys watching/listening to comedian specials and likes exploring new food options.
Ingrid is passionate about improving equity in STEM education for all students. Her professional experiences include teaching high school math to English Learners in an Oakland public school, coaching new teachers, and working operations roles in nonprofit organizations in Oakland, Dallas, & Austin. Outside of work, Ingrid can be found hanging out with her German Shepherd pup, Stewie, reading a good book, running around the East Bay, or shopping for groceries.
Francesca started her career in Digital Marketing before dedicating two and a half years building a workforce development non-profit: coop.cx. She is continuing the work of creating more equitable pathways to careers by supporting Code Nation’s mission behind the scenes. Francesca’s love for Excel is only surpassed by her love for Pepe, her mischievous, but very cute, dog.
Joliz is a youth development specialist originally from the Bronx. She’s trained students and educators in Croatia, South Africa, and every borough of NYC. She joined Code Nation to provide students with the tools to disrupt the tech industry. Joliz can be found testing recipes and enjoying her reign as pop culture trivia queen.
With a lifelong career in K-12 education, but an academic background in Political Science, Brent has a passion for the public good and civic engagement. Before joining Code Nation, Brent taught elementary school in Hawaii for five years and has held instructional coaching roles within school systems in the Bay since moving here in 2017. In his spare time, Brent loves finding new live music, planning his next trip abroad, or finding a new beach to explore.
Marcus is a youth development specialist with experience with tutoring, curriculum/learning design, event planning/ hosting, and human rights education. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Marcus has been able to combine his passions for youth work, gaming, and creative writing to create fun gamified, and exciting classrooms. Through this work, Marcus has come to view coding as a means of developing grit and securing futures for youth. He sees his work at Code Nation as the perfect opportunity to do just that!
Shea is a technologist, coding instructor, and advocate for expanding access to tech education and careers. As AmeriCorps alum with a background in nonprofits and educational institutions, Shea works at the intersection of technology and education, with a specific expertise in mapping out internal systems to support sustainability and efficiency at lean, progressive organizations.
Gabriel started his career teaching game design and development and discovered his love of education after seeing his students learn to turn their ideas into reality. Outside the office, he can be found playing his current video game of choice, laughing at his own jokes, and hanging out with his cat.
Emily is a former middle school teacher with experience creating culturally relevant social studies and writing curricula in Houston and New York City. She believes Code Nation’s work is a huge step forward in closing the opportunity gap. Emily loves going on adventures around and out of the city, reading voraciously, and learning new things.
Kelsey started her career as a bilingual elementary school teacher through Teach for America in Chicago and then taught in Santiago, Chile. Kelsey’s educational philosophy is that all students can learn, especially when provided with access to hands-on STEM classroom experiences. When she’s not traveling the world, Kelsey loves hiking, yoga, and discovering Chicago’s best breakfast sandwiches.
Cassie is a former educator committed to work that addresses educational equity and the digital divide. Before Code Nation, she was a special education teacher in Chicago and San Francisco, where she coached new teachers, and engaged in policy and advocacy work. In her spare time, Cassie enjoys running, exploring the outdoors, and occasionally watching reality television.
Shantina Jackson, PhD, has been a STEM education leader in the Bay Area for over 10 years. She loves her hometown of Richmond, California and is passionate about connecting students of color to careers in tech. Away from the office, Shantina can be found singing karaoke, playing old school arcade games, and devouring books about the history of education in the United States.
Carolynn taught middle and high school math in Las Vegas before joining Code Nation. Her experiences studying computer science in college, advocating for educational equity and diversity, and incorporating critical pedagogy drive her work with Code Nation. Outside of work, Carolynn enjoys yoga, art museums, and exploring new cities.
Ralphie is a former STEM Specialist and middle school science teacher both in Chicago and Abu Dhabi. Ralphie is passionate about crafting a space for students to be successful and that starts with providing access to STEM careers and building meaningful relationships with students. In his free time, Ralphie likes to “run” the streets of Chicago, drink hazelnut lattes, and peruse local pet stores looking for treats that his puppy, Essex, will not grow bored of almost immediately.
Alyxe’s deep experience in community organizing and nonprofit work in NYC and abroad demonstrate her commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality educational opportunities. In her spare time, she enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with friends and family, including Sylvie Loisaida, her diva cat.
A Dominicana from Brooklyn, Pamela has dedicated her life to working with students from low-income backgrounds & bridging educational gaps. She previously taught English for five years at a charter middle school in Brooklyn. There she learned to prioritize relationship building, teaching outside the box, & pushing kids to be their best. She is proud to join Code Nation in continuing this work in the tech community! Issues of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion have been a part of what challenges her to continue this work. Outside of work, you can find Pamela involved in providing tools to her peers to live anti-racist lives, reading, getting some sun (ideally on a beach somewhere), or spending time with her loved ones.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, Montanna received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas. After completing his undergrad, he relocated to San Jose to serve a year with City Year. Montanna also spent some time in the classroom and even returned to City Year as an Impact Manager. Most recently, Montanna is a Program Manager with Code Nation – continuing his mission to help students reach their full potential.
After graduate school, Vatissa was excited to move back to the Bay Area to start a career with a social justice minded organization. Her passion for equitable access to the creative economy, education, and sustainable nonprofit growth led her to Code Nation! In her spare time, Vatissa is hanging out with her dog in nature, practicing yoga, and traveling.
Ta Lynn began her career in education as a Teach for America corps member in New Orleans giving students unique study abroad opportunities in places like Thailand. She joined Code Nation to continue supporting youth in realizing their full potential by exposing them to new career pathways. As a fresh New Yorker, she enjoys exploring different areas of the city.
With a background in college & career readiness and workforce development, Hani is passionate about supporting untapped and overlooked communities because talent is distributed equally but opportunity is not. Hani is inspired by Code Nation’s work to expand access to all students as they become the next generation of leaders. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, reading, and exploring neighborhoods.
Aarti is passionate about working to address educational equity and helping young people have agency in their learning and lives. Before joining Code Nation, she managed a youth creative writing program in New York City and helped middle schoolers write imaginative stories. She spends her time outside of work exploring her new neighborhood, writing fiction, and borrowing too many books from the library.
Before coming to Code Nation, Shane taught middle school science in San Antonio through Teach for America and was a campus leader for Citizen Schools in East Harlem. He is deeply passionate about equipping students with the skills and experiences needed to become our future innovators and leaders. Shane enjoys biking around the city and hanging out with his cats, Harriet and Marvin.
A former educator, youth coordinator, and public policy analyst, Andrew is inspired by Code Nation’s mission to mold new leaders in tech and is grateful to play a role in making the field more accessible and inclusive for people of all backgrounds. He enjoys jazz, long walks, and fried plantains.
Rebecca is a teacher turned entrepreneur. As Code Nations’s first hire and founding Program Director, she was thrilled to grow the organization in NYC before moving back home to California to open Code Nation in the Bay Area as our founding Bay Area Executive Director. Today she’s our Chief Executive Officer and spends her free time backpacking in the High Sierra and riding her bicycle.
After teaching in his native city of Newark, Michael was eager to get involved in the tech industry. Code Nation offered him the chance to combine his love for technology and education in a way that would open doors for students. In his spare time, Michael enjoys cooking.
As a Bronx native of Dominican heritage, Jessica is passionate about providing students from low-income backgrounds with the tools they need to overcome institutional barriers and have more choices. Outside of work, you can find Jessica reading, kickboxing, exploring neighborhoods, and watching standup comedy!
Emily Rose believes in the power of language, role modeling, and early & equitable access to resources. She has a BFA in musical theatre, 5+ years of content marketing and community management experience, and a dog obsession. You can find her biking around Brooklyn, thrifting, or doing a jigsaw puzzle. If you have a dog, she’ll find you.
After teaching in Romania and Brooklyn, Meg was inspired to join the Code Nation team and continue the work of making education more equitable and tech more accessible to all students. In her spare time, Meg enjoys yoga, exploring new restaurants, and watching reality competition shows.
As a Code Nation alumna, Patricia secured an internship in UX design at Group Nine Media. She is a student at the City College of New York and plans to graduate with a degree in Electronic Design and Multimedia. At Code Nation, she currently helps alumni find opportunities. Patricia also enjoys reading comic books and painting.
Leah has dedicated the last 12 years as an Educator in the Bay Area. Her transition to Code Nation is rooted in her desire to support Black and Brown students to gain the skills needed to become leaders in the STEM community. Outside of work, Leah enjoys spending time with her 2 children and husband, “treasure hunting” at Home Goods, and riding her Peloton.
After law school, Lia taught English to middle school and high school students and most recently helped Kaplan to develop curriculum for law students. Her desire to remedy the inequalities in our education system led her to Code Nation. Lia’s favorite activities are challenging others in competitive board games, solving puzzles, and playing with her dog, Max.
Jake has a passion for social justice issues, especially ones affecting the Bay Area. He comes to the team having managed operations in the food and beverage industry for the past several years and looks forward to bringing those skills to a more rewarding field. In his free time, you can find him in the mountains, seasonally shifting between backpacking, skiing, and fly fishing.
Maxwell is a former middle school and high school teacher. He feels deeply aligned with Code Nation’s mission to expand access and opportunities in the tech industry to all students. In his free time he enjoys watching movies, reading, and playing tennis (poorly).
Briana joined Code Nation because she believes that students in under-resourced schools deserve the same learning opportunities that students in affluent zip codes receive; and that greater access to careers in tech will change lives. A Chicago native, Briana is a former special education teacher and knows that all students have unlimited potential. Outside of work, Briana is a travel-loving yoga enthusiast and also leads her church’s youth group.
Code Nation is seeking our first-ever leader of our human resources function, the Director of Talent and Equity. The Director of Talent and Equity will develop and manage our efforts to support a thriving team and an inclusive organizational…
Code Nation seeks a Director of Development to lead our development work nationally and to support each of our regional leaders to strategize and execute in service of local fundraising goals. The Director of Development will be a master…
