01:43
Jessica Santana Highlight
Own your greatness and own your difference, then create a space where other people can flourish in your greatness as well.
About Jessica
- Co-founded New York on Tech along with her college classmate and fellow leader Evin Robinson.
- New York on Tech is a nonprofit organization that provides low-opportunity youth with mentorship and experience in technology.
- Growing up in New York City, Jessica learned how to code so that she could personalize her Myspace profile.
- Met Evin Robinson while at school at Syracuse University; the two pursued master’s degrees in technology studies together, then decided to go into business together.
- Believes that the diversity problems in the world of technology aren’t based on malice, but rather on ignorance.
- As a result, she’s made it her mission to educate people on the importance of diversity and inclusion in technology, especially in her hometown of New York City.
- Rather than searching out role models, she decided she’d become the face of young Puerto Rican women in technology herself.
- Says that being a trailblazer can feel like a burden, but then she sees things—like her niece completing a degree—that make her feel completely affirmed in her hard work.
