About - Community Tech Network

Our mission is to unite organizations and volunteers to transform lives through digital literacy.

We believe that access to the Internet is a human right, and that those without the skills to use a computer are at risk of social and economic disadvantage. Public services and essential information are increasingly moving online, and many people are unable to access those resources. While many organizations are working to spread Internet connectivity to the underserved, access to technology is only a partial solution. Connectivity needs to be coupled with digital skills training that is relevant and delivered in a way that won’t intimidate the adult learner.

In 2020, Community Tech Network turned 12 years old. Our goal to eliminate the digital divide has been consistent, but the pace of change means the goalposts are constantly being moved. Therefore, CTN must continue using its experience to build a more inclusive digital world for the future in which everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of life online.

Two years ago, CTN expanded its reach to include the Austin, Texas area, with the continuing mission to establish additional digital inclusion hubs wherever we find meaningful partnerships that serve communities in need of digital skills. Contact us if you’d like to partner.

History

Community Tech Network gained its 501(c)3 nonprofit status and became an independent nonprofit organization in 2008 with grant support from the Full Circle Fund.

However, our origins can be traced back to 2001, when we started as a program of TechSoup (then called CompuMentor) to address a rapidly growing need for public digital literacy training. In 2007, our role was reviewed in a community survey, the results of which clearly indicated an ongoing need for CTN’s digital literacy work, and the transition to charitable status was made.

Back in 2008, when CTN became a nonprofit, Twitter was just a fledgling social media experiment, Facebook had barely begun its rise to world dominance, and Instagram wasn’t even a twinkle in its creator’s eye. Twelve years later, the internet is central to everyday life and access to it has become a right, not a privilege.

During these 12 years, CTN grew from one volunteer Program Manager and a handful of helpers to an organization of over a dozen staff, 60 active volunteers and 50 partner locations. It also spread its sphere of influence beyond San Francisco to the wider Bay Area. and to Central Texas. Today, CTN is led by an active and diverse Board of Directors comprising community leaders, business leaders, and technology advocates from local nonprofits in both the San Francisco and Austin areas.

Staff

Kami Griffiths

Executive Director/Co-Founder

Austin, TX

With over 15 years of experience working in the public sector, Kami has developed a passion for helping people gain access and better utilize technology, after witnessing firsthand how the digital divide and low literacy levels were aiding the cycle of poverty. She has worked for the City of New York Department of Parks & Recreation, managing 27 public access computing centers, teaching computer classes and establishing their volunteer trainer program. As the Training and Outreach Manager for TechSoup Global, Kami greatly expanded her knowledge and understanding of the nonprofit technology field, having conducted over 200 interviews with librarians and producing over 100 webinars. She is a founding member of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and speaks nationally about digital inclusion.

Carol Simmons

Operations Director

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Carol Simmons is an experienced consulting professional with a long history of working in the libraries industry. She is skilled in managing non-profit organizations, fundraising, strategic planning, building design and programs, civic engagement, recruitment and research. She has been a public library director, executive director of the California Library Association, and has served on a wide variety of non-profit boards including the San Francisco Opera Guild, the Daly City Public Library Associates, and the Seton Medical Center Community Advisory Board. In her free time, she loves to travel, read (of course) and hike in the Bay Area and beyond.

Laurie Sanchez

Development Director

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Laurie had a substantial career in the for-profit world, working for large corporations, smaller enterprises and entrepreneurial start-ups. Thematically, she has worked in the space between end-product technology and the user of it. She has managed internal and consumer-facing help desks, telecommunications and network functions, as well as training and customer support operations. She negotiated and managed large vendor contracts and managed corporate-wide technology implementation projects. In 2008, she shifted her career to the nonprofit arena working for TechSoup for four years and in parallel, Laurie has volunteered in homeless shelters and multiple arts organizations. She served on the Boards of AXIS Dance Company and Robert Moses’ Kin and has volunteered for many years as an SFMoMA School docent and as an Art Docent for the Goldsworthy sculptures in The Presidio.

Lauren Cotter

Marketing & Communications Director

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

For over 25 years, Lauren was a senior-level marketing and advertising professional. She produced high-impact campaigns delivering dramatic gains in revenue, visibility, and market share. Her experience ranges from television, radio, print, and sports marketing (having worked with all Bay Area sports teams). Her core competencies also include web design, search, social media, film and video production, sponsorship, and public relations. Today Lauren is passionate about bringing her marketing experience to nonprofits and has consulted for clients such as FNDHope International, Stanford Valley Care Hospital Charitable Foundation, Hers Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Northern CA Epilepsy Foundation. Currently, Lauren is Chair of the Stanford Neuroscience Patient Family Advocacy Committee (PFAC), a Member of the Stanford MedEd PFAC, and is an Encore Fellow.

John Stock

Communications & Marketing Fellow

Austin, TX

Following a fifteen-year career in retail grocery management, John dedicated the rest of his working career to non-profit leadership and management. John spent 23 years with the American Red Cross in various positions throughout Texas; his last four years as the senior Red Cross executive with responsibilities for more than 60 chapters within the states of Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In 2009, he became the executive director at The Caring Place in Georgetown, Texas, serving in that position for nearly 5 years before retiring. John is currently a Fellow through Leadership Austin.

Erika Jones-Clary

Online Communications Consultant

Fredonia, NY

Since 2002, as the principal of MsJones Design, Erika has developed and facilitated web solutions for international nonprofit and public affairs/relations organizations. Erika was a CTN Board member from 2011-2013 and developed an early version of the CTN website. Her projects have included global education regarding the mining effects on native communities in Brazil, community outreach to gather support for a $2.5 billion hospital project in San Francisco and building a comprehensive online insurance resource library for natural disaster survivors. Recently, she relocated from her hometown of San Francisco to Western New York and hopes to buy a goat someday and create a homestead for her family.

Kate Sheludziayeva

Administrative Manager

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Kate immigrated to the United States from Belarus in 2011. In Belarus, Kate studied psychology and volunteered as a surveyor. She also volunteered in a nonprofit organization to provide support to physically disabled youth so they could integrate into society. She has experience as an office assistant at San Francisco General Hospital and recently earned a certificate from the Office Assistant Program from LEN Business and Language Institute. She is fluent in Russian and is studying English as a second language at CCSF. She considers herself to be tech savvy and wants to help people stay connected in the digital world, especially those who are immigrants. She thinks CTN is the right place to share her enthusiasm for helping people.

Dale Thompson

Finance Manager

Austin, TX

Dale has been involved in closing the digital divide since 1998 through her work as financial consultant with the City of Austin which led to her becoming interim Executive Director of Austin Free-Net from 2006 to 2011. She brings 29 years of experience in accounting and Quickbooks, 13 of those years as a lender for a national bank. Dale also volunteers for NTEN and organized their monthly 501 Tech Club in Austin.

Xandi Wright

Training & Development Manager

Denver, CO

Xandi hails from Sacramento, California, but since 2016 has been living and working (remotely) in Denver, Colorado. She holds a B.A. in English Literature and an M.Ed. in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning. She has taught, tutored, and managed academic programs since 2005, but it was during graduate school that she discovered her professional passion: working to close the digital divide, particularly where it impacts people's access to education and economic opportunity. Xandi consults with CTN on curriculum development, volunteer management, and volunteer training.

Sabrina Tam

Senior Program Manager

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Sabrina is a native of Hong Kong. She first came to the States as a cultural exchange student in the early 90’s. After spending several years in Arkansas and South Carolina, she decided to make the Bay Area her home. Along with her patient and caring personality, Sabrina brings to CTN her extensive experience managing multi-cultural projects in the financial services, advertising and market research arena. Sabrina is fluent in English and Cantonese, and conversational in Mandarin. She wants to use both her language and technical skills to help people to enjoy the benefits of using technology and not feel left behind in the digital age.

Stephen Minor

Senior Program Manager

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Stephen Minor has expertise in the fields of organizational development and program event implementation. Prior to Community Tech Network, Stephen realized his passion for supporting others while owning his own franchise, The Key Stop. Following his venture, he was able to give support to people with developmental and physical disabilities as an Employment Consultant and Program Coordinator at Ardmore Enterprises outside of Washington, DC. He was even chosen to take his attributes and love for supporting others abroad while serving the United States as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador. Stephen is beyond excited for the opportunity to continue his career by helping adults advance their digital literacy skills.

Jannell Mateo Rivas

Bilingual Digital Literacy Program Manager

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Jannell has personal, professional, and volunteer experience working with underserved communities. She is fluent in Spanish and has a variety of experience mentoring, teaching, and leading groups of people. During her time at San Francisco State University, she studied Child and Adolescent Development and grew in her passion to meet the needs of both the youth and adult populations. Even more so, she is excited to share her skills and knowledge to further support San Francisco adult communities through digital literacy.

Carlos Sivira Falcon

Bilingual Digital Literacy Program Associate

Sunnyvale, CA

Carlos was born in Venezuela and immigrated to the U.S. in the early 90s. He is a San Jose State University alumnus, raised in the heart of the Silicon Valley. He grew up having hands on experience with different technological advances. Being family-oriented, he assisted family members to use technology. He taught others how to protect their finances, use their emails, reset their passwords, and access their social media while working in field of finance. Due to this passion to serve the community, he branched out and focused on helping others in the nonprofit sector.

Annie Tan

Bilingual Digital Literacy Program Associate

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

After getting a degree in Community Based Public Health, Annie developed a passion to serve and to meet the needs of low-income and underserved communities. She was a Senior Information and Assistance Specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource Center for four years providing supporting services for seniors and disabled population and recently a Community Navigator for the Chinese Community Health Resource Center. Fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, Annie wants to use her language skills and technical knowledge to help seniors enjoy the benefits of using technology as a tool to make connections with friends and families, and for getting involved in their communities.