Investing in the next generation. Building tech that serves the people.
The role of technology in our lives is constantly growing. That’s why it’s so important to support young tech talent seeking to do good in the world. We build career paths for technologists interested in public service while helping government agencies, nonprofits, and social service organizations build out their tech infrastructure and capacity.
CEO, Ariana Soto, was recognized with a Young Futures Award this Spring in the Good Actors within Tech & Innovation category. The Young Futures Awards, powered by Hopelab, recognize young leaders and adult champions helping young people find more agency, safety, belonging, and possibility in a tech-filled world.
Many states are introducing AI policies and task forces, but lack the “AI-native” personnel to build and maintain initiatives. Partnerships Manager, Hannah Downing, and CEO, Ariana Soto, suggest that states should establish AI Resilience Cohorts to embed early-career technologists in key offices to support state AI initiatives in a recent piece published by the Federation of American Scientists.
On July 27th, Independent Sector President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins announced the creation of a Principles Panel on AI: Nonprofits and Trust to produce a high-level ethical framework for nonprofit usage of AI technology. CEO, Ariana Soto, joins the panel who will publish their work in early 2027.
Coding it Forward was included in a report published earlier this year by the Packard Foundation. The report offers a “a systems-level view of how AI is influencing democratic institutions and society and, most distinctively, how the field believes funders must respond.”
Earlier this year, with support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, we placed two Fellows at the D.C. Department of Human Services. The Fellows’ work transformed D.C.’s ability to process thousands of SNAP applications and highlights the critical capacity early-career talent can provide.
Ariana was announced as a 2026 Aspen Ideas Festival Fellows, a group of emerging leaders selected for their innovative work, accomplishments, and ability to transform ideas into action. This summer she was one of more than 170 Fellows representing 103 cities in 36 states in the US and 12 countries who attended the Festival reflecting on the nation’s 250th.
