QUEENETTE ADEGBITE

National

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 ANG

National

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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.

DIONNA ARIMES

Bay Area

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With a background in STEM, youth development, and advocacy, Dionna is passionate about Code Nation’s mission to address educational equity and increase access to careers in technology. Her professional experience is at the intersection of fundraising, programming, and volunteer engagement, with a specific interest in Community-Centric Fundraising practices. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, being outdoors, and hanging with her pup, Murphy!

FRANCESCA BALBI

NATIONAL

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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.

KENYA BROWN

New York

Kenya Brown became passionate about working with students when she served as an Americorps Teaching Fellow in 2018. After completing a year of service, she continued to develop her career while working in programming for a national education nonprofit. Kenya is currently in the process of receiving a graduate degree in School Counseling. She hopes to one day utilize her knowledge to provide aspects of social emotional learning into curricula, andpromote student’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.

JOLIZ CEDEÑO

New York

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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.

KATE CRONIN

Chicago

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Kate joined Code Nation because she is passionate about democratizing access to education and professional networks within the tech industry, an industry that increasingly structures our political, professional, cultural, and social realities. Prior to joining Code Nation, Kate researched and taught media history at UT Austin. In her spare time, Kate enjoys watching movies and Survivor with her partner and their incorrigible Basset-mix, Mickey.

ETHAN DAVIS

Bay Area

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Ethan Davis began his career in North Charleston, SC, where he explored methods to capture the wisdom of local people via storytelling; thereby supporting communities to self-determine their own futures. Most recently he taught high school English and History on the Diné (Navajo) Nation, highlighting his mission of identity work, asking questions, and empowering people towards self-actualization. For fun, he loves cooking, mountain biking, and his cats.

MARCUS DEL VALLE

New York

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 FUREY-KING

New York

• LinkedIn

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.

NICO GARBACCIO

New York

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Nico was a journalist before finding his calling as an educator. Before joining Code Nation, he helped manage a quirky youth creative writing program. He’s passionate about improving equity in education and helping young people succeed, regardless of circumstance. Nico is always searching for the best food in NYC. When he’s not eating, he’s probably reading or playing video games.

AMBAR GUTIERREZ

New York

Ambar is a full-stack developer who discovered her passion in advocating for STEM education, specifically for young underrepresented minority students. When she is not coding, teaching or talking about tech, you can find her doing outdoorsy activities.

KELSEY HANSEN

Chicago

• LinkedIn

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 HOUGHTON

Bay Area

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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-ROMERO, PHD

Bay Area

• LinkedIn

Shantina Jackson-Romero, 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.

ASSIATOU JALLOW

Chicago

• LinkedIn

Assiatou is passionate about ensuring students have the knowledge and support they need to make informed choices about the lives they will live. She loves to foster classroom environments that prioritize practicing co-creation and exercising agency. Before coming to Code Nation, she did college access work in Detroit. Outside of work, she is about everything food, hair, and books.

KARLA ORTIZ MARTINEZ

Bay Area

• LinkedIn

Karla is a former high school chemistry teacher who is passionate about educational equity. She joined Code Nation to address the inequity in educational technology Karla saw firsthand as a first-generation graduate. In her free time, Karla can be found reading, wandering around the Bay Area, or finding new movies and tv shows to binge.

PAMELA MARTINEZ

New York

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.

MOLLIE MCSHERRY

National

• LinkedIn

Through a career spent in education and workforce development, Mollie has learned that community is everything. She is so excited to help support Code Nation alumni community and use her skills and experience to serve alumni as they make their way towards careers in tech. In her spare time, Mollie enjoys baking and adventuring with her two rescue dogs. 

TA LYNN MITCHELL

Bay Area

• LinkedIn

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.

VATISSA MITCHELL

National

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.

HANI MOHAMED

National

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 MONTEIRO

Chicago

• LinkedIn

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.

SHANE MORRIS

Chicago

• LinkedIn

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.

JOHN POOLE

Bay Area

• LinkedIn

John is a former educator and Teach For America Houston alumni, with a STEM background, and LGBTQIA+ advocate. He’s a big proponent of civic, student, parent and community engagement, identity and inclusion. Outside of the classroom, you can find him at poetry competitions, volunteering, singing, cooking, and dancing.

EMILY ROSE PRATS

New York

• LinkedIn

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.

MEG REED

Bay Area

• LinkedIn

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.

ANA RIVERA

Bay Area

• LinkedIn

Coach Ana Rivera comes from a futbol background, coaching youth ages 7—18 with a focus on underrepresented communities in Oakland and expanding the My Yute soccer program to Jamaica. Formally, coach Ana was working in the Autonomous Industry testing software on self-driving cars. After noticing a lack of diversity in Ai, Ana transitioned into a field that addresses diversity at the root. Code Nation is the ideal organization that both tackles the lack of diversity in tech and equips youth to enter the industry. Ana enjoys playing, watching, and coaching futbol. She also loves to dance, cook and play with her pup.

MARYLYN ROGEL

Chicago

• LinkedIn

Marylyn has a background in education, having done her Teach for America commitment in Miami, FL. She’s a first generation college graduate and believes that students deserve the opportunity to have fulfilling lives and access to financial freedom. She is happy to be working in her hometown of Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys reading and being outdoors.

MIKA SALAZAR

New York

• LinkedIn

Mika, a former teacher, has a passion for curriculum development, increasing access to educational resources, and technology of all kinds. She taught middle school science for six years and believes in building meaningful, lasting relationships with her students. In her spare time, she enjoys passing time with her fiancé and cat, reading (especially on rainy days), and early morning yoga.

CAROLINA SALINAS

CHICAGO

• LinkedIn

Carolina is a Chicago native and first generation Latinx. After teaching Chemistry in Chicago Public Schools for five years, she has joined Code Nation to continue in her work in establishing STEM exposure and opportunities to Chicago’s youth. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, binge watching tv shows and traveling to new and exciting locations.

CLAYTOYA TUGWELL

National

• LinkedIn

Claytoya is a native New Yorker who has spent over a decade in the non-profit sector serving in talent management, program management and volunteer management leadership roles. She is passionate about education equity, people analytics, and anti-racism in the workplace. Outside of work, Claytoya enjoys blogging and canvassing for local political organizations to advance critical civil liberties issues in the U.S.

JAKE TUMAS

National

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.

DIANA WALTERS

National

• LinkedIn

Diana spent more than a decade of her career at Teach For America as a fundraiser. She is passionate about ending educational inequity and is drawn to Code Nation’s mission to foster a new generation of leaders and break the social and economic inequities in the tech industry. Outside of work, Diana loves hiking, hanging at the beach, and exploring with her partner & their toddler.

DZARIF WAN

National

• LinkedIn

Dzarif is passionate about addressing socioeconomic inequities by helping mission-driven teams sustain their work and amplify their impact. Prior to Code Nation, he served as a fundraiser in organizations tackling issues within the criminal justice and transportation systems. Outside of work, Dzarif enjoys exploring Brooklyn neighborhoods by bicycle, discovering new music, and watching movies.

MAXWELL WILLIAMS

National

• LinkedIn

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 WILSON

Chicago

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. 

ELISABETH WRIGHT

National

• LinkedIn

Elisabeth brings an excitement for and experience in nonprofit and education marketing and brand-building to her role at Code Nation. She wholeheartedly believes that real change in the tech industry begins in the classroom, and is focused on intentional, inclusive communications. Outside work, Elisabeth loves exploring new Chicago restaurants and spending time with her two rescue dogs.  

KATE ZANETTI

CHICAGO

• LinkedIn

Kate is a former educator with a background in STEM Education and is an LGBTQIA+ advocate. Kate 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, Kate likes to explore the different Chicago neighborhoods.