We’ve spent our 2016 working forward in civic tech, while sharing stories of leaders in technology and civic progress right here on our blog. Thank you to everyone who has used their voice this year to help us elevate others in the New York area.
A look back at an amazing year on the Microsoft New York Blog:
January
Microsoft New York welcomes District General Manager Laura Clayton McDonnell
We welcomed the newest member of the New York Metro District team — our district general manager, Laura Clayton McDonnell. McDonnell brings a wealth of knowledge in sales management and legal experience, most recently in executive roles at Aspect Software, IBM, Sun and Apple.
DataViz for good: How to ethically communicate data in a visual manner: #RDFviz
Matt Stempeck
Microsoft’s Director of Civic Technology in New York City, Matt Stempeck, recaps his experience at the Responsible Data Forum, a collaborative effort to develop useful tools and strategies for dealing with the ethical, security and privacy challenges facing data-driven advocacy. Topics included non-screen data visualizations, communicating uncertainty in data and more.
February
Voices of Change — The Future of Technology and the Black Community
Onyi Nwosu, Computer Science Engineer, Black Girls Code
Diversity and inclusion are critical underpinnings to our evolving culture at Microsoft and powerful bridges to the marketplace. For Black History Month, month, we were honored to feature the voices of local leaders who represent our commitment to diversity and use their drive to help the community in which they serve. One of those people is Onyi Nwosu, a computer science engineer at Black Girls Code.
April
Towards a taxonomy of civic technology
What is civic technology? It’s a question we’re asked often. As Microsoft’s team behind Technology and Civic Engagement, there’s no one “real” answer. Matt Stempeck, Director of Civic Technology, went to Barcelona for The Impacts of Civic Technology Conference (TICTeC) to help spread the word of civic tech and explain what it is exactly that we do.
May
Celebrating Tech Jobs Academy
John Paul Farmer
Twenty three incredible New Yorkers and their families gathered at Civic Hall to celebrate an accomplishment that would have been impossible just a few months prior. But, like most overnight successes, this one was actually years in the making. Microsoft New York’s Director of Technology & Civic Innovation, John Paul Farmer, told the story of how Tech Jobs Academy came to be.
June
Every year, we gain an incredible cohort of civic technology fellows who inspire us through their hard work and dedication to utilize technology in local government and community applications. With each step forward our fellows make, we help make New York City more interconnected through technology. Meet one of our fellows, Hannah Cutler.
August
Welcoming Ross Dakin to the Microsoft NY Team
Ross Dakin
Ross Dakin joined the Microsoft Technology and Civic Innovation team, where he’s excited to use data and technology for social good. He came to us with a deep understanding of civic tech via his former positions at Silicon Valley companies and as a White House Presidential Innovation Fellow.
Quadratic Voting: Civic Tech for Eminent Domain
E. Glen Weyl, Senior Researcher at Microsoft Research New York City
E. Glen Weyl, Senior Researcher at Microsoft Research New York City, wrote about a new voting system he devised, called Quadratic Voting, in which individuals can buy additional votes on an issue at an increasing cost. Beyond eminent domain, Quadratic Voting has a variety of other uses in cities and politics more broadly, allowing citizens to find compromises that allow them to have more say on the issues most important to them in exchange for letting their fellow citizens have their way on the issues more important to them.
Meet High School Intern: Sagar Punjabi
Microsoft is committed to developing junior talent and championing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related fields. Over the summer, we were thrilled to host high school students as part of our NYC Microsoft High School Summer Internship Program (HSIP). We interviewed one of our high school interns, Sagar Punjabi.
October
Microsoft Reactor opens to spur tech innovation in New York City
Expanding on its commitment to innovation, Microsoft celebrated the grand opening of its latest Microsoft Reactor, based in New York City’s iconic Grand Central Terminal. This is the third Reactor where businesses, universities, governments and entrepreneurs can come together and access the latest Microsoft technologies and expert resources.
November
City Year New York Makes a Difference at JHS218 James P Sinnott Middle School
Donna Abrusci
City Year New York deploys 257 highly skilled AmeriCorps members to serve in 24 elementary, middle and high schools. Laura Clayton McDonnell (GM of Microsoft New York), Antuan Santana (Operations & Community Manager) and Donna Abrusci (Business Program Manager) visited the City Year New York corp member team at JHS218 James P Sinnott Middle School.
December
Coding Outside the Classroom: CoderDojo NYC Teaches Children Computer Science Fundamentals
Although New York announced plans to offer all students programming classes by 2025, fewer than 10 percent of city schools currently offer any form of computer science education, and only 1 percent of students are currently in CS classes. But students do have interest. Living proof is CoderDojo, a global network of programming clubs for young people.
Thank you to all who joined us in sharing the important stories that shape our community. Let’s work together for an incredible 2017.