In 2014, Jacob founded Digital NEST—a technology workforce development hub providing youth in rural communities with high-demand technology skills, mentoring and hands-on experience so they can secure well-paying jobs. Prior, he spent nearly ten years running a successful program funded by the National Science Foundation, encouraging underrepresented Latina girls to study computer science. He is a 2020 recipient of The James Irvine Foundation “Leadership Award” and a 2018 Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation “Entrepreneur Fellow.” Jacob currently sits on the board of Santa Cruz Works, Center for Rural Innovation, serves as an External Advisor to the Chancellor of UC Santa Cruz, and is on the advisory council for the Aspen Institute Technology Accountability Coalition.
Nikki Lanier
When asked why she has focused so much of her professional life onadvancing racial equity, Nikki Lanier will tell you it was anassignment passed to
