NPower Chief Development Officer Talks About Diverse Tech Talent with Savoy Magazine

(Brooklyn, NY) August 1, 2022 – NPower was featured in Savoy Magazine’s 2022 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, discussing the importance of hiring diverse candidates in tech jobs. The Summer 2022 issue also highlights a distinctive list of top national business executives who make a positive impact in corporate America and also demonstrate leadership and influence within their community.

“Now more than ever, it is very important for diverse executives to “lead by example.” Role modeling is one of the most effective tools for developing our future leaders and empowering them within Corporate America,” said Savoy’s CEO & Publisher L.P. Green, II. “The selection for this distinctive honor was very competitive but well deserving in this case.” 

Felecia Webb, Chief Development Officer, oversees NPower’s partnership development, government relations, and national and regional fundraising efforts including corporate partnerships, foundations, and high-net-worth individuals and families. Prior to joining NPower in 2019, Webb had a more than 20-year career in corporate social responsibility in the design industry, including working with Ralph Lauren Corporation.

Throughout her career, Webb has contributed her extensive leadership experience to several civic, community, and non-profit boards. At NPower, a national nonprofit that provides a pathway to thriving tech careers for those with non-traditional backgrounds; Webb is driven to connect to companies to a new pipeline of diverse and trained candidates ready to step into entry-level roles in tech.

“Some of the nation’s largest employers are looking to NPower to provide both qualified applicants, as well as diverse candidates with unique skills and experiences that previously would not have been considered,” said Felecia Webb, Chief Development Officer. “The qualities we see over and over in our candidates is an eagerness to learn, upskill, and adapt to new roles. We have a win-win model for the employer and employee.” 

NPower also places students in paid internships and apprenticeships with corporate partners, changing life trajectories for individuals from vulnerable communities, but they are also strengthening the overall competitiveness of U.S. businesses hamstrung by today’s limited pool of IT talent. To learn more about NPower, visit www.npower.org.

Special thanks to Savoy magazine a quarterly, national publication covering the power, substance, and style of African American lifestyle. From business to news, sports to entertainment, design to technology, Savoy is a cultural catalyst that highlights timely topics and drives positive dialogue on and about Black culture. Connect with Savoy: Twitter – www.twitter.com/savoynetwork, Facebook – www.facebook.com/savoymagazine, LinkedIn – www.linkedin.com/company/savoy-magazine.

NPower Participates in White House Cyber National Workforce and Education Summit

July 19, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) – At the invitation of the White House’s Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD), the nonprofit tech training program, NPower, participated in the White House’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Summit. 

At the Summit, Bertina Ceccarelli, CEO of NPower, joined National Cyber Director Chris Inglis; and Jen Easterly, Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency where their outstanding efforts brought together diverse voices to address a national priority. Also in attendance were Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo; Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh; Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas; Ambassador Susan E. Rice, Director of the Domestic Policy Council; Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal; Director of the Cybersecurity; Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology on the National Security Council; other senior representatives from the Federal Government; private sector executives; and thought leaders from across the cybersecurity community and academia. 

At the Summit, participants discussed:

  • The need to create and prioritize new skills-based pathways to cybersecurity jobs, including at community colleges, through Registered Apprenticeships, and via non-traditional training opportunities for Americans who can help defend our country’s critical infrastructure and make a good living for themselves and their families. Training models such as Registered Apprenticeships can allow career seekers to earn and learn at the same time while often obtaining college credit, degrees, and nationally recognized credentials.
  • How in filling these open cybersecurity positions, the United States has an opportunity to build pipelines for historically untapped talent, including underserved and diverse communities, to reach jobs that often pay well and do not require a four-year degree.
  • And how investing in cyber training and education will: (1) enable Americans who comprise the lifeblood of our economy – including those building the next generation of our Nation’s infrastructure – to be successful in our digital economy; and (2) educate and empower all Americans to build digital habits that protect personal data and collectively improve national security.

“Given that NPower is a national nonprofit committed to advancing race and gender equity in the tech industry, including in the field of cybersecurity, we are proud to assist the White House in fulfilling its cyber workforce objectives, which are in alignment with NPower’s mission,” Ceccarelli stated. “NPower looks forward to remaining engaged with the White House and other stakeholders as this mission continues.”

About NPower Inc.

NPower is a national nonprofit that is committed to advancing race and gender equity in the tech industry through skills training, professional development, real-world experience, support, and mentorships. The organization has helped underrepresented young adults, women of color, veterans, and military-connected individuals from underserved communities and placed them in quality tech jobs.

NPower also places students in paid internships and apprenticeships with corporate partners, changing life trajectories for individuals from vulnerable communities, but they are also strengthening the overall competitiveness of U.S. businesses hamstrung by today’s limited pool of IT talent. To learn more about NPower, visit www.npower.org.

National Cyber Workforce and Education Summit

 NPower CEO Bertina Ceccarelli joined a diverse group of cyber leaders at the White House Cyber Workforce and Education Summit to explore actions the private, public, and nonprofit sectors can take to dramatically increase the size and diversity of America’s cyber workforce. 

Reinventing self into new career

From TVC: When 67-year-old U.S. Army veteran Kurt Vogel was laid off from a Human Resources position over a year ago, he decided to reinvent himself and seek a new career field. “I am making a shockingly high salary even as an entry-level employee. And now I have a new career starting less than a month before I turn 67 years old.”

The untapped technical resources right under our nose

From LinkedIn: I could dive into the troves of research that point towards the improvements teams experience when their makeup is diverse and reflects the makeup of the communities that we serve. But instead, I would focus on the economic opportunities that this presents. In a time where large swaths of our technology organizations have outsourced both low and high skills to various hubs (India, Mexico, Brazil, Philippines, etc.), NPower offers an onshore alternative that also brings a component of social responsibility and a solution to common problems that have plagued many of our economically disadvantaged communities for over 50 years. 

Veterans offered free cyber training to fill demand for workers

From wmar2news: “There are more than 20,000 unfilled cyber roles in Maryland,” said Kendra Parlock, the Vice President of Partnership Development for NPower. “The White House/DHS are warning us every day about the heightened risk of cyber-attacks.”

Local nonprofits reach hundreds of Newark students with career panels

From Essex News Daily: The tech panel featured two organizations that offer free training to low-income young adults. Per Scholas provides skill training and access to employer networks to individuals often excluded from tech careers; it focuses on diversifying the technology workforce by offering no-cost technical training. NPower creates pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for military veterans and young adults in underserved communities with a focus on technology and digital skills. Both organizations have Newark campuses.

The Power of Volunteering: How a Top Tech Executive is Making a Difference with NPower

News

An invitation to the NPower Gala in 2018 turned into a life-changing opportunity for Herb Hofmann, Vice-President of Information Technology at Loews Corporation.  

“A contact of mine invited me to the NPower event, and I really enjoyed hearing about their mission,” said Herb.  “In 2019, my company had some equipment to donate, and I contacted NPower, but it turned out it wasn’t compatible.  I figured another opportunity may come up down the line.” 

In 2020, Herb joined the SIM NY Metro Outreach Team through the Society for Information Management (SIM), a professional organization of over 5,000 technology leaders. The group wanted to create a giveback opportunity for SIM NY members and Herb thought NPower may be a good fit.  He was connected to Alumni Engagement Manager, Amanda Aguilar, and that led to mentoring and coaching opportunities in Harlem and Brooklyn, and later a Career Day for students in 2021.  After the event, a student reached out to Herb about the experience and shared what a difference it made in his outlook.  

“I think the most impactful thing is when somebody recognizes that you made a difference for them,” Herb said, recalling the experience.  “I enjoy giving back and being helpful and try to be that way in my organization and in life. NPower has provided that for me.” 

Research has shown that mentoring can extend business networks, allowing executives to identify new opportunities and innovative solutions to complex problems such as the current hiring crisis and more diversity in tech. Herb has found that beyond the impactful experience of giving back to others, NPower has opened his eyes to an entirely new pool of qualified talent.    

“My experience with NPower has changed my mind about the four-year degree,” said Herb.  “You can see the value of the people who are looking for the opportunity to work in tech and the opportunities are great for them right now. They come out of the program prepared, eager, and productive right out of the gate. It’s helping with diversity and STEM issues early on, which is my favorite way to tackle these issues.  If we can get more diversity – more women into tech – and encourage them at the early stages, we’re building the tech teams of the future.”  

Herb has found one-on-one mentoring to be one of the most valuable experiences of the program. It has allowed him to work with the students directly and experience their knowledge and drive first-hand. Now with over two years of volunteering with NPower under his belt, Herb encourages others in tech to reach out and get involved.   

“A lot of people right now are seeking a way to give back but are uncertain as to what that might look like,” said Herb.  “The best way to start is through the NPower coaching events. It’s just a 90-minute conversation and the opportunity to meet and coach the students.   If you go through that one experience, it leads to another. When you give back, it feels good, and no one regrets the experience.”  

NPower offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for individuals and corporate partners to engage employees in high-impact, meaningful experiences with the many veterans, military spouses, and young adults from underserved communities enrolled in our free tech training program. To learn more about volunteering with NPower, visit https://www.npower.org/get-involved/volunteer/.