ABOUT US
OUR STORY NPower is a national nonprofit that leverages an evidence-based model to foster economic empowerment through digital skill enhancement and industry-recognized credentials for military-connected individuals, young adults, and women from under-resourced communities. Our strength is seeing students of nontraditional backgrounds through pivotal life transitions. Our unique approach combines rigorous, free training and trauma-informed support services, career readiness skills, and job placement assistance. We have offered foundational and advanced career training opportunities to over 10,000 graduates, with the goal of scaling to serve 15,000 annually by 2030—all while maintaining strong placement outcomes. Led by a committed team, we seek to create a tech workforce that mirrors the world around us and empowers students to drive change in their own lives and communities. Over the past decade, NPower has expanded its program reach and developed a robust network of Fortune 500 companies, mid-sized enterprises, government agencies, staffing firms, and a network of nonprofit partners that host its interns and hire its graduates full-time. NPower is a vital solution towards bridging the national talent gap that exists in the high-growth technology industry. To learn more about NPower, visit npower.org.
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ORDER OF CEREMONY LOS ANGELES
WELCOME REMARKS Bertha Haro Executive Director, NPower California
ALUMNI SPEAKER Raymond Joseph (Joe) Berlejung NPower Networking Administration and Security, Fall 2018 Graduate
CLASS SPEAKER Dominic Johnson Ambassador for CLEAR
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Matthew Chebatoris Global Leader for IT Risk Intelligence, EY
PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL AWARDS Rocio Romero Senior Recruitment & Admissions Manager, NPower California
PRESENTATION OF GRADUATION CERTIFICATES Emma Kay Carter Assistant Technical Instructor, NPower California
CLOSING REMARKS Bertha Haro Executive Director, NPower California
RECEPTION
Thank you to our sponsors, NBA Foundation, Microsoft, and Comcast, for making this ceremony possible!
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SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Matthew Chebatoris Global Leader for IT Risk Intelligence, EY Matthew Chebatoris is the Global Leader for IT Risk Intelligence at EY, engaging with stakeholders and EY leadership to anticipate and manage tactical and strategic risks and opportunities impacting the use of digital technology across the business. Areas of focus include threat & incident management, business continuity & disaster recovery, physical & environmental security, technology governance & compliance, and third-party supplier-related risks. Matthew joined EY in February 2019 with more than 20 years of experience operating at the intersection of foreign policy and geopolitical risk in government and the private sector. Prior to joining EY, Matthew advised entertainment industry clients on the operational impact of geopolitical risks on their business. Matthew has also served as a Senior Advisor in the State and Local Program Office at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, responsible for engaging inter-agency counterparts, policymakers, industry partners, and associations to support federal government positions. Matthew previously served as a Deputy Team Chief at the U.S. European Command, working as an analyst and liaison officer in support of U.S. Defense Department initiatives with inter-agency partners and NATO allies. He began his career as a cryptologist in the U.S. Navy. His Department of Defense awards and honors include the Air Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, and two Letters of Commendation. In 2023, EY recognized Matthew as one of the firm’s 20 Professional Networks Impactful Leaders for his transformational leadership. Subsequently, Matthew received an EY SHINE award in 2024 for creating exceptional experiences through supporting, coaching, and inspiring career growth and development. He holds an MA with Merit in Security Studies from the University of Birmingham, a BA in International Relations from the University of Nebraska, and a Certificate in Terrorism Studies from the University of St. Andrews. Matthew also holds credentials in Global Foresight and Building Better Strategies with AI, Red Teaming, and Gaming from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Matthew is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and serves as the leader of the EY Veterans Business Resource Group in Los Angeles.
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ALUMNI SPEAKER Raymond Joseph (Joe) Berlejung NPower Networking Administration and Security, Fall 2018 Graduate Raymond Joseph (Joe) Berlejung is an Army retiree and cybersecurity professional with over three decades of experience safeguarding national interests. Throughout his distinguished military career, he served in key roles, including Inspector General, Civil Affairs Specialist, and Cavalry Scout, earning honors such as the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, and Senior Recruiter Badge. As the U.S. enters an era of heightened cyberwarfare, Joe has transitioned his dedication to defense into the realm of information technology and network security. A graduate of NPower’s Networking Administration and Security Fall 2018 program and a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Joe leverages his expertise to deliver data security solutions across the military, aerospace, non-profit, and consulting sectors in the Los Angeles area.
CLASS SPEAKER Dominic Johnson Ambassador for CLEAR Before NPower, I had worked in the IT industry for five years, but never in a formal setting. I worked at a couple of big chain IT stores but had never had any formal education in that field. What brought me to NPower was a desire to pursue that education so that I may further my career in IT, and in a more literal sense, a family friend who had hired someone from the program before. My time here brought me a lot of valuable experiences, whether it was designing labs during the tech instructions or getting the chance to interact with different companies, all of which have been valuable. With these new skills and connections I have acquired during this time, I hope to further my career in IT, hopefully getting to the point of helping others develop and further their love for technology in a teaching aspect.
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GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS! Los Angeles ITSS Fall 2024 Quassim Adan Omar Aragon Carlos Avalos Tobanimowa Ayo-Ariyo Adrian Azepeitia Ammar Chauhan Christopher Cortez Soravit Dechkunakorn Darrin Dixon Raul Enciso Julio Gamboa Chrisopher Gonon Maldonado Kristina Goosby Darcinia O. Groves Maximillian Gutierrez Leondre Ray Harris Jr. Deanna Holt Nathaniel Jean Sunshine Jennings Dominic Johnson
Demardre Jordan Perry Kim Eui (Samuel) Lee Kenton Lee Frankie Maldonado Michael Manguerra Rene Menchaca Keven Thomas Mendez Tom Nguyen Edgar Olguin Christopher Perez Miguel Perez Guzman John Quirarte Saul Ramirez Abraham Ramos Norvin Romero George Salmeron Crystal Shaikh Kenny Siqueiros Vanessa Smith
Nhu Quan Tran Victor Vega Jorge Verduzco Espinosa Jessica Wleh Brandon Yi
KEY CLASS STATISTICS
90%
73%
Graduation Rate
CompTIA ITF+ Certification*
42%
93%
Veterans & Spouses
Black, Indigenous, People of Color
*Still currently testing
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THANK YOU to our Employment and Community Partners, Sponsors, and Funders A16z Cultural Leadership Fund Allegis Global Solutions Bank of America Benevity Fund Breaking Barriers Citi Deloitte Employment Development Department EY National Basketball Association NBA Foundation Northrop Grumman Metlife Microsoft Corporation
Pure Storage Santa Clara County Slingshot Connections Social Security Administration Trinchero Family Estates UK Online Giving Foundation Union Bank and Trust Company United States Department of Homeland Security Verizon Wells Fargo Bank Workday WWT
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD Eddie Borrero CISO Blue Shield of California Phil Dillard Founder Thruline Networks Troy Johnson Managing Director, Western Regional Technology Deloitte Ed Morales Chief Information Security Officer Royal Business Bank Thao Nguyen Senior Vice President & Group Manager Comerica Bank Jim Wong Chairman of the Board National Veterans Transition Services
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CHANGING THE FUTURE OF TECH TOGETHER
New York | New Jersey | Texas | California | Maryland | Missouri | Michigan | North Carolina | Ohio
npower.org/California