From 2016 to 2020, I served as the Director of Programs at 9 Dots, a nonprofit based in Los Angeles committed to expanding access to high-quality computer science education in under-resourced schools. During my time there, I led the design and launch of Get Coding, our in-school K–6 computer science program that now serves thousands of students across dozens of Title I schools. I built the program from the ground up—writing curriculum, hiring and training a team of instructors, and developing partnerships with school leaders across LAUSD. I also oversaw day-to-day program operations and helped shape the organization’s strategic direction during a period of rapid growth.

In addition to managing program delivery, I co-led our research and development efforts, including serving as Co-Principal Investigator on an NSF-funded project that used participatory design to co-create cross-curricular coding lessons with classroom teachers. This work centered on making computer science feel relevant, joyful, and doable for both students and educators—especially those with no prior CS experience. Whether in classrooms, community meetings, or co-design sessions, my focus was always on building trust, translating research into practice, and creating learning environments where students could see themselves as confident, creative problem-solvers.