Find out more about Code for America and Jennifer Pahlka, founder and executive director
(Born 1969)
Career
2010-present: Founder and executive director, Code for America, San Francisco, California
2013-2014: US deputy technology officer – science and technology policy, the White House, working on the agenda for 21st century government and the Presidential Innovation Fellow programme
2006-2009: General manager and co-chair, Web 2.0 conferences
2004-2009: Conference director, MediaLive International
2004-2005: President and founder, Tiny Media
1995-2003: Director and publisher, Game Group, CMP Media
Education
1987-1991: BA in American Studies, Yale University
Awards
David Packard Award, 2016
MIT’s Kevin Lynch Award, 2013-2014
Named a Civic Innovator at the National Democratic Institute’s Democracy Awards, 2013
Ashoka fellow, 2012
Internet and Society Award from the Oxford Internet Institute, 2012
HuffPost Gamechanger, 2011
Outside of work
Keeps chickens and enjoys gardening and travelling – most recently to India.
Founded in 2009, Code for America uses the principles and practices of the digital age to improve the way the US government provides services for the public. It also supports tech professionals who want to help their local governments better serve the community. Working with state, local and city governments, its solutions are simple, effective and easy to use, improving access to services via a range of mobile phone apps and simple online forms. It also works with thousands of volunteers across the country in Code for America Brigades – a network of community organisers and tech specialists working with tech where it is most needed in their local communities. Code for America is funded using a mix of philanthropic and government funding, along with support from individual and other charitable donors.
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