Our Mission
We’re a nonprofit for early-career technologists creating new pathways into public interest technology.
Our Story
In January 2017, we were a group of technology students frustrated by the lack of mission-driven technical internships — so we decided to do something about it.
We started a blog, newsletter, and online community to rally around the idea that being a technologist can be more than developing the latest app.
Soon thereafter, in June 2017, we launched the Civic Digital Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind summer fellowship program for early-career technologists, designers, and product managers to innovate in the federal government. Overwhelmed by the positive response, we expanded the program to state and local government partners in 2021 with the Civic Innovation Corps.
The Fellowship and Corps are now one program — the Coding it Forward Fellowship, which has placed more than 600 early-career technologists in more than 60 government host offices across the country.
We also look to create opportunities beyond our programs to make the public interest technology ecosystem as accessible as possible. One example: our team publishes one of the only resources dedicated to early-career internships, jobs, and opportunities bi-weekly.
Today, our greater movement reaches over 8,000 early-career individuals, and together, we're redefining what it means to create impact as technologists.
Meet the Team
Rachel Dodell
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Rachel joined the Coding it Forward team in 2017, when she was part of our first-ever cohort of Fellows. Ever since, she’s played an active role in Coding it Forward’s growth and joined as our first full-time employee in December 2018. As our Executive Director, she oversees our day-to-day operations, strategic partnerships, and communications.
Rachel graduated with honors from Wellesley College in 2018 and holds a B.A. in Media Arts and Sciences (a combination of computer science and studio art). Previously, she was selected as a Venture for America Fellow and worked at a high-growth startup in San Antonio, TX.
When Rachel isn’t dreaming up the future of Coding it Forward, she can be found wandering an art museum or with her nose in a library book.
LinkedIn | Twitter | Medium
Ariana Soto
Deputy Director
Ariana has been with the Coding it Forward team since joining as our Project Manager in 2018. She now serves as our Deputy Director and oversees the strategy and operations of our student-facing programs.
Ariana graduated from Harvard College in 2020 with a B.A. in Government and Computer Science and a certificate in Technology Science. Ariana has experience in local government working with data teams in New York City and her hometown of Los Angeles, CA.
Yuyang Zhong
Program Manager
Yuyang first joined Coding it Forward in 2021 as a Fellow and now serves as our Program Manager supporting the Fellowship.
Yuyang graduated from UC Berkeley in 2021 with a B.A. in Psychology and Data Science and has previous experience working in development, analytics, and research roles.
In his free time, Yuyang can be found scouting out the newest and freshest bites in town and avidly searching for the next best boba.
Board of Directors
Jehron Petty, Founder and CEO of ColorStack
Jessica Cole, Co-Founder of U.S. Digital Response
Nick Sinai, Senior Advisor at Insight Partners & Adjunct & Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School
Selected Press
Civic Innovation Corps, Civic Tech Chat Podcast
Public Interest Technology Series: Rachel Dodell, TechCongress Podcast
A virtual celebration of innovation at Harvard, Harvard Gazette
Fellows moving government forward, FEDTalk
Coding it Forward fellowship program gets enthusiastic feedback, FCW
Coding it Forward fellowship propels next generation of government IT leaders, Government Matters
