Jessica Santana
CEO/Co-Founder, America on Tech, New York, New York
Overview
In 2019, AOT expanded its footprint to LA with a 10-month School-based Web Development Program. What makes the program unique is it brings together: computer science, professional development, culturally responsible mentorships, access to industry leaders, internships, and career development – for both short- and long-term impact.
During our inaugural year, AOT trained two teachers from each school and paired each with one of our program managers to implement the Web Development Program on-site for 158 high school juniors and seniors. This year, we continue to work with both schools – enrolling an additional 150 students. Further, with an EdLoC Collabo Grant, we engaged 50 families in workshops on supporting computer science education at home.
With Boulder Fund’s support, AOT seeks to further innovate its LA program by:
Recruiting and training 200 students in computer science and technology.
Developing additional partnerships in high need communities to include:
Collaborating with 10 high schools to advance their STEM initiatives.
Partnering with 10 companies to engage students in internships/career days.
Implementing virtual tech programs/workshops for 150 students amidst COVID-19.
Bio
Jessica Santana is one of the co-founders of America on Tech (AOT), a nonprofit organization on a mission to prepare the next generation of technology leaders emerging from New York City. AOT provides students with access to the development, mentoring, networking and professional experiences that prepare them for degrees and careers in technology. Their work has been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, CNN, Wells Fargo, Sirius XM Radio, Huffington Post, TechCrunch, BET, Black Enterprise, AlleyWatch and The Network Journal. Prior to AOT, Santana worked as a technology consultant for global brands such as JPMorgan Chase, Accenture and Deloitte. She has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and NYN 40 Under 40 Rising Stars list. She is a Ashoka Emerging Innovator, Pahara Institute Next-Gen Leader, World Economic Forum Global Shaper, Entrepreneur in Residence at General Assembly, Wells Fargo Millennial Activist, Camelback Ventures Social Innovation Fellow, Points of Light Civic Accelerator Entrepreneur, 4.0 Schools Launch Entrepreneur, JPMorganChase Global Enterprise Technology Leader, Morgan Stanley Emerging Leader, Deloitte Future Leaders Apprentice and one of 50 Visionary Women Leaders to Watch by Innov8tiv Magazine. Santana was also one of the inaugural technology anchors on Univision. Santana has presented and spoken to over 50 different audiences that include SXSW Edu, TechCrunch, Google for Entrepreneurs, White House, Thomson Reuters and Bloomberg. Her commitment to philanthropy and community engagement is evidenced by her world travels and work in parts of Europe, China and South America to work with nonprofits, private companies and social enterprises that better local communities and economies. She graduated with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Accounting and Information Technology from Syracuse University.