Tech Policy Leaders

Matt Wood (@mattfwood) is Policy Director at Free Press. Matt helps shape Free Press' efforts to protect the open internet, prevent media concentration, promote affordable broadband deployment and safeguard press freedom. He's served as an expert witness before Congress on multiple occasions. Before joining Free Press, he worked at the public interest law firm Media Access Project and in the communications practice groups of two private law firms in Washington, D.C. Before that, he served as editor-in-chief for the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, worked for PBS, and spent time at several professional and college radio and television stations. Matt earned his B.A. in film studies from Columbia University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.

In this episode, we discussed:

• how the telecom sector is likely to respond to the D.C. Circuit's recent decision to uphold the FCC's net neutrality rules.
• legislative approaches and emerging business models which are potentially harmful to net neutrality principles despite the ruling.
• how the relationship between traditional civil rights organizations and progressive groups is likely to evolve following ruling.

Resources

Free Press

U.S. Telecom v. FCC (D.C. Cir. 2016)

Matt Wood (@mattfwood) is Policy Director at Free Press. Matt helps shape Free Press’ efforts to protect the open internet, prevent media concentration, promote affordable broadband deployment and safeguard press freedom. He’s served as an expert witness before Congress on multiple occasions. Before joining Free Press, he worked at the public interest law firm Media Access Project and in the communications practice groups of two private law firms in Washington, D.C. Before that, he served as editor-in-chief for the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review, worked for PBS, and spent time at several professional and college radio and television stations. Matt earned his B.A. in film studies from Columbia University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School.

In this episode, we discussed:

• how the telecom sector is likely to respond to the D.C. Circuit's recent decision to uphold the FCC's net neutrality rules.
• legislative approaches and emerging business models which are potentially harmful to net neutrality principles despite the ruling.
• how the relationship between traditional civil rights organizations and progressive groups is likely to evolve following ruling.

Resources

Free Press

U.S. Telecom v. FCC (D.C. Cir. 2016)

Marcus Jiménez is Founder and CEO of Sticky Docs—a content creation, data visualization and publishing platform for enterprises of all kinds. In 2014, Sticky Docs was the winner of the Tabby Business Award for Best Enterprise Marketing app. Marcus has also been recognized by Agency Post, the American Marketers Association, the Art Director's Club, The Society of Publication Designers, and the ADCOLOR® Industry Coalition, where he was honored as a Change Agent Award Recipient, and currently serves on its Board of Directors.

In this episode, we discussed:

• a process for better storytelling to make your white papers and other information products more relevant and engaging.
• Marcus' new incubator that helps entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups learn to run successful companies.
• the top 3 things you should be doing to make your content stand out from the pack.

Resources

StickyDocs

HueCoLab

The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future by Steven Case

FlipBoard (iOS|Android)

Marcus Jiménez is  Founder and CEO of Sticky Docs—a content creation, data visualization and publishing platform for enterprises of all kinds. In 2014, Sticky Docs was the winner of the Tabby Business Award for Best Enterprise Marketing app.  Marcus has also been recognized by Agency Post, the American Marketers Association, the Art Director’s Club, The Society of Publication Designers, and the ADCOLOR® Industry Coalition, where he was honored as a Change Agent Award Recipient, and currently serves on its Board of Directors.

In this episode, we discussed: 

• a process for better storytelling to make your white papers and other information products more relevant and engaging.
• Marcus' new incubator that helps entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups learn to run successful companies.
• the top 3 things you should be doing to make your content stand out from the pack.

Resources

StickyDocs

HueCoLab

The Third Wave: An Entrepreneur's Vision of the Future by Steven Case

FlipBoard (iOS|Android)

Melissa A. Rasberry (@MelRasberry) is the senior technical assistance consultant at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), where she serves as the principal investigator for the CS10K Community, an online community of practice for computer science teachers sponsored by the National Science Foundation. She has created and facilitated over 35 virtual communities throughout her career, providing effective online professional learning experiences for educators. Dr. Rasberry began as a third grade teacher and a principal intern at two diverse elementary schools in Durham NC. Her professional interests span the teaching continuum—from recruitment and preparation to professional development and retention.

In this episode, we discussed:

• how to train computer science teachers with non-CS degrees.
• how to inspire students who do not initially see the relevance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
• how parents can prevent the "summer melt" and encourage their children to build on their STEM skills throughout the summer.

Resources:

CS10K Community

Code.org

Scratch

Evernote

You're a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living and Awesome Life by Jen Sincero (2013)

Melissa A. Rasberry (@MelRasberry) is the senior technical assistance consultant at the American Institutes for Research (AIR), where she serves as the principal investigator for the CS10K Community, an online community of practice for computer science teachers sponsored by the National Science Foundation. She has created and facilitated over 35 virtual communities throughout her career, providing effective online professional learning experiences for educators. Dr. Rasberry began as a third grade teacher and a principal intern at two diverse elementary schools in Durham NC. Her professional interests span the teaching continuum—from recruitment and preparation to professional development and retention. 

In this episode, we discussed:

• how to train computer science teachers with non-CS degrees.
• how to inspire students who do not initially see the relevance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
• how parents can prevent the "summer melt" and encourage their children to build on their STEM skills throughout the summer.

Resources:

CS10K Community

Code.org

Scratch

Evernote

You're a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living and Awesome Life by Jen Sincero (2013)

Viola Llewellyn (@VALlewellyn) is co-founder, President and CEO of Ovamba Solutions Inc.

Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Ovamba matches global investors to qualified African Small and Medium Sized Enterprises who need short term funding. Ovamba is backed by Crowdcredit in Japan, Courtyard Capital in the UK, and GLI in Guernsey who themselves are backed by Blackrock Global, AXA Investment Managers, and Barclays Wealth.

Average size investments in businesses across Ovamba's portfolio is around $50,000, with as little as $3,000 all the way up to $500,000 invested. The success rate of the companies Ovamba works with is 98%, delivering between a 13 and 18 percent return on investment.

In this episode, we discussed:

• the role of financial technology ("fintech") in helping Africa-based business access capital.
• how to cultivate a mindset that will help you overcome obstacles in your career.

Resources:

Ovamba

African Business Angel Network (ABAN)

Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

The Storytelling Book by Anthony Tasgal

Viola Llewellyn (@VALlewellyn) is co-founder, President and CEO of Ovamba Solutions Inc.

Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Ovamba matches global investors to qualified African Small and Medium Sized Enterprises who need short term funding. Ovamba is backed by Crowdcredit in Japan, Courtyard Capital in the UK, and GLI in Guernsey who themselves are backed by Blackrock Global, AXA Investment Managers, and Barclays Wealth.

Average size investments in businesses across Ovamba's portfolio is around $50,000, with as little as $3,000 all the way up to $500,000 invested. The success rate of the companies Ovamba works with is 98%, delivering between a 13 and 18 percent return on investment.

In this episode, we discussed:

• the role of financial technology ("fintech") in helping Africa-based business access capital.
• how to cultivate a mindset that will help you overcome obstacles in your career.

Resources:

Ovamba

African Business Angel Network (ABAN)

Four Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

The Storytelling Book by Anthony Tasgal

Victor Yocco (@VictorYocco) is a User Experience researcher working for EY Intuitive out of Philadelphia. He has written several articles for the likes of A List Apart and Smashing Magazine and has recently written a book about user experience research called Design for the Mind: 7 Psychological Principals for Persuasive Design, which will be available this month. He earned both his undergraduate degree and PhD at Ohio State.

In this episode, we discussed:

• The 7 key psychological principals for effective user interface design and how to apply them to websites focused on policy.
• How organizations can reduce alcoholism in the workplace.

Resources:

victoryocco.com

Design for the Mind: Seven Psychological Principals for Persuasive Design by Victor Yocco (2016) COUPON CODE FOR 39% oFF THE COVER PRICE: SMAYOCCO

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (2011)

Victor Yocco (@VictorYocco) is a User Experience researcher working for EY Intuitive out of Philadelphia. He has written several articles for the likes of A List Apart and Smashing Magazine and has recently written a book about user experience research called Design for the Mind: 7 Psychological Principals for Persuasive Design, which will be available this month. He earned both his undergraduate degree and PhD at Ohio State.

In this episode, we discussed:

• The 7 key psychological principals for effective user interface design and how to apply them to websites focused on policy.
• How organizations can reduce alcoholism in the workplace.

Resources:

victoryocco.com

Design for the Mind: Seven Psychological Principals for Persuasive Design by Victor Yocco (2016) COUPON CODE FOR 39% oFF THE COVER PRICE: SMAYOCCO

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (2011)