The Team
Each of us at TechChange is passionate about applying technology to help address pressing social issues. We can speak “geek” with the technical community, but we also have experience in the fields of development, peacebuilding and humanitarian relief. We aim to bridge the two communities. If you are interested in joining our network of technologists and educators, we’d love to connect with you. We have a growing community of innovative people with a passion for technology, a commitment to education, and a desire to help create social change. Contact us at info@techchange.org and feel free to send along a resume or CV.
Nick Martin
Nick is the Co-founder and President of TechChange. As President, he oversees all strategy and programming for the organization. Nick is an educator, technologist, and social entrepreneur with significant international peacebuilding and development expertise. He is an adjunct faculty member at American University, George Mason University, George Washington University and the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE), and has given a number of guest lectures and speeches on the role of technology in peacebuilding, development and humanitarian work. Nick is the founder of two innovative and award-winning digital media and conflict transformation programs: DCPEACE and PeaceRooms. In 2009, Nick was selected as a Global Fellow by the International Youth Foundation and as a Washington DC Humanities Council Scholar for his leadership in launching the programs and his track record as a young social entrepreneur. Nick received his BA with honors from Swarthmore College and an MA in Peace Education from the United Nations mandated University for Peace (UPEACE).
Contact Nick at nick [at] techchange.org
Dominic Kiraly
Dominic is the Co-founder and Vice-President of TechChange. He is an educator, trainer and entrepreneur with skills in e-learning implementation, audio engineering, video production, and web development. Dominic provides strategic direction for TechChange alongside of Nick. He also leads TechChange’s development of online games and interactive, scenario-based exercises with a determination to find ways to make online learning engaging and stimulating.
Dominic consults for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) as a Senior Program Officer in the Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding. He heads USIP’s distance learning initiatives and overseas the development of 35 self-paced courses and 20 hybrid courses. As a faculty member in the Academy, he also frequently teaches and provides training to personnel in government, military and NGOs in a diversity of topics in conflict management. In the past, Dominic worked for the Africa Programme of the United Nations-affiliated University for Peace (UPEACE) in Geneva, Switzerland where he developed training programs in West Africa and managed publications on conflict prevention.
Dominic has earned two masters degrees: an MBA in International Economic Development from Eastern University and an MA in International Law and Human Rights from UPEACE. He also completed three years of study as a Ph.D candidate in International Politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, in the United Kingdom. His move to DC to conduct Ph.D research led him to unite with Nick, and TechChange was born. Dominic lives in Alexandria, VA, with his wife, Stacia.
Contact Dominic at dominic [at] techchange.org
Mariel Bartolome
Mariel Bartolome is a technical coordinator at TechChange. She is excited and honored to be working with TechChange on #ict4d (Information and Communication Technologies for Development) and also hopes to take part in the growth of #hci4d (Human-Computer Interaction for Development) in the future. Her interests include computer programming, web development, string instruments, and videography.
Mariel believes that in order to tackle the complexities of today’s development issues, technological innovation is as necessary as human compassion. She is currently studying Computer Science and Mathematics at University of Maryland College Park and is also a part of the Honors program.
Contact Mariel at mariel [at] techchange.org
Jenny Burch
Jenny is director of operations at TechChange. She works closely with Nick to help ensure that the day-to-day activities of TechChange run smoothly. This includes managing the books and record keeping systems, as well as developing and fine-tuning the procedures required to best accomplish the organization’s mission and goals. Prior to working for TechChange, Jenny worked in fundraising and development for a local non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk youth through education, service, and green-jobs training. She also served as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Jenny graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, where she earned a BA in English with a minor in Business.
Jenny has always been passionate about the difference innovative methods of education can make in people’s lives and is thrilled to be part of such a dynamic and talented team committed to using the powerful, life-altering potential of technology to create positive change.
Contact Jenny at jenny [at] techchange.org
Will Chester
Will is director of technology at TechChange and has experience in website design, facilitating participatory trainings, and adapting technology for use in challenging situations. Prior to joining TechChange, Will designed and created a website that examines online privacy issues and provides guidance on how individuals can increase their online privacy. He also worked for an NGO that seeks to increase civic engagement in Western China by promoting the use of Open Spaces technology. After receiving his BA in International Relations and Chinese from Tufts University, Will spent two years in Nanjing, China, teaching English and working with a Chinese NGO on issues of bilingual deaf education and foster care for disabled children.
Will has been experimenting with technology and building computers as long as he can remember, and he is excited to use his international experience and technical knowledge as part of the TechChange team. He is cautiously optimistic about the power of technology to create more inclusive and representative societies, and advocates combining free and open source technology with effective training.
Contact Will at will [at] techchange.org
Jenna Crowder
Jenna is a graphic designer and creative director. She is excited to be helping TechChange design clean, structured interfaces and custom graphics for presentations, multimedia, and websites. Jenna earned her BFA in Sculpture and Art History from Maine College of Art, focusing specifically in community-based collaboration and civic-engagement. Before joining the TechChange staff, Jenna was based in Portland, Maine, where she worked in and with the refugee and farming communities through the vehicles of public art and writing.
Jenna is currently researching post-conflict public art and culture. Her most recent travels have brought her to Haiti, where she has been studying sculpture and typography, and teaching herself how to edit audio.
Contact Jenna at jenna [at] techchange.org
Jordan Hosmer-Henner
Jordan is director of research at TechChange. He graduated from Duke with a dual major in Economics and Public Policy and is now pursuing an MA in International Science and Technology Policy at the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. His concentration is in the application of emerging technologies to international development applications. He has particular experience in the use of mobile applications for the delivery of public health and medical services.
Jordan believes in the potential of Free/Open Source software to advance peacebuilding and development goals and is most excited about the ease of replicating, scaling and customizing open solutions. He is looking forward to supporting the talented developers who are working to create innovative technological solutions.
Contact Jordan at jordan [at] techchange.org
Joanne Ke
Joanne is director of strategy and business development at TechChange. Her background is in social entrepreneurship and strategy consulting. She graduated from Oxford University with a B.A. in Economics and Management and is now pursuing a M.A. in Applied Economics at Georgetown University. Prior to joining TechChange, she worked at Ashoka under co-founder of the Ashoka board, Bill Carter, before taking up a job at one of the top strategy consulting firms in London. She has also previously worked on microfinance and education projects in Tanzania and Ghana, as well as helped host a Skoll World Forum and the inaugural Skoll:Emerge conference for students.
Contact Joanne at joanne [at] techchange.org
Randy Kindle
Randy is a recent graduate of American University where he earned his Master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. Prior to joining TechChange Randy did many things. He is a veteran of the US Air Force where he served as a medic and wrote Medical Contingency Response Plans and oversaw Medical Readiness at a small base in the UK. He also has three years of service at USAID in various capacities including as a Contract Specialist.
Contact Randy at randy [at] techchange.org
Keith Lane
Keith is a multimedia producer and documentary photographer. He holds a M.S. in Environmental Education with a focus on international development and peace and conflict resolution. He is a graduate of the photography track at the prestigious Salt Institute for Documentary Studies. Prior to joining Tech Change Keith traveled to Cambodia where he worked as a freelance photographer producing work on landmine/unexploded ordnance removal, disability rights, and education reform for the international NGO community.
It is Keith’s goal at Tech Change is produce innovative multimedia pieces from the developing world on the role of technology as it pertains to Geo-political stability.
Contact Keith at keith [at] techchange.org
Charles Martin-Shields
Christopher Neu
Christopher Neu is director of Middle East Programs at TechChange. Previously, Chris worked at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) in the Center of Innovation, where he managed PeaceMedia, a website that connects the peacebuilding community with an unprecedented array of multimedia resources. Born and raised in Jerusalem, Chris has also worked with the Association of International Development Agencies (Ramallah), IFES during the 2006 Palestinian Elections, and the Center for the Study of Democracy. Chris holds an MA in Democracy and Governance from Georgetown University.
Contact Chris at chris [at] techchange.org
TJ Thomander
TJ is the Program Coordinator for TechChange. He is currently pursuing his BA at Brigham Young University in International Relations with an emphasis in Political and Economic Development. He recently finished his capstone paper on the effect of Chinese internet censorship on ICT growth. He joins the team after running Students for Social Entrepreneurship, an Ashoka award-winning program that places 60 students into on-campus internships with social entrepreneurs every semester. His work at TechChange encompasses many of our social media operations including blog managing and writing, live tweeting, and social media research. He enjoys blogging about social entrepreneurship, ICT4D, and the current social media environment. He also assists with other ICT research, simulations, and on-site training.
TJ is very excited to learn from everyone else on the team and hopes to return to BYU with many newly acquired tech skills. Until then, he is compiling his dinner calendar of DC’s best public banquets.
Contact TJ at tj [at] techchange.org
Caitlin Turner
Caitlin Turner is a curriculum consultant at TechChange and part of our core blogging team. She is also a graduate student at the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University. Through her thesis work, Caitlin hopes to bring attention to the ways in which social media can promote sustainable peace, encourage mobilization and foster social change. The first time Caitlin truly became interested in conflict issues was at the University of Calgary where she obtained her BA in Urban Studies and developed an affinity for flash mobs and Robert Putnam. In recent years, she has carved out a niche as a blogger and hopes to carry this momentum forward bringing a unique voice to complex issues.
Contact Caitlin at caitlin [at] techchange.org
Jaclyn Nardone
Jaclyn is a blogger for TechChange. She believes that as we move forward with technology igniting social change, we must not forget those silenced via the red lines of censorship that infringe upon the flow of information, hampering freedom of expression, speech and press. Jaclyn earned her MA degree in Media, Peace and Conflict Studies from the United Nations mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica in 2010 and her BA (Honours) degree in Political Science & Communication Studies from the University of Windsor at home in Canada in 2009. She currently writes articles on behalf of the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, via J-Source website, and her essays can be found on the online Peace and Conflict Monitor. Jaclyn was an intern with the media rights group Reporters Without Borders, in Washington DC, for the first half of 2011. Beyond her passion for media politics — Jaclyn is inspired by cultural diversity, has experience teaching children in both domestic and international settings and recognizes upmost value in empowering women’s rights.
Contact Jaclyn at jaclyn [at] techchange.org