Fast Forward welcomes our new Events & Operations Associate, Summer Kennedy
I spent my first two years out of college working as a first grade teacher with Teach for America in West Oakland. In my classroom, I saw firsthand how technology could make a huge difference in improving the lives of students, families, and educators. I mean, who doesn’t like learning about vowels through rap videos? At the same time, however, I noticed how that same technology did not always reach the people who needed it most.
After teaching, I looked to join an organization dedicated to make a meaningful, positive impact on people’s lives. Fast Forward immediately captivated me when I learned about the work it does all around the world to reimagine the potential of tech nonprofits. I was particularly drawn to Fast Forward’s dedication to educating and supporting tech nonprofits beyond solely providing funding, as well as its belief in the power of small organizations with big ideas.
I’ll be the first to confess, I’m really a first grade teacher at heart—not a technology expert. Before joining Fast Forward, I spent about an hour googling to figure out what “</>” means (it is still unclear, please reach out if you have any leads). With that said, I know that technology has an unrivaled ability to empower people across different communities and I am so thrilled to be part of the team working to accelerate good.
I graduated from Brown University with a BA in History, and later received my MA in Education Policy from Loyola Marymount University. When I’m not planning Fast Forward events, I’m usually playing outside with my dog, Sprout.
