2023 Annual Report
Mission
We create pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for military-connected individuals, young adults, and women from underresourced communities.
Vision
We envision a future where our domestic technology workforce is diverse and clear pathways exist for all people regardless of ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic background to succeed in our digital economy.
We work together to transform lives and strengthen communities.
We are dedicated to the success of our students, team, and stakeholders.
We are transparent, honest, and ethical in all interactions.
We are committed to efforts that build respect, dignity, fairness, equity, and self-esteem.
We learn from mistakes and successes in equal measure.
In the last year, NPower has evolved in every way you can imagine. Growth in size, increase in reach, record engagement from the funding and employment communities, and meaningful feedback along the way to hold us accountable to our mission and desired impact. For that we are grateful. But NPower is still evolving. We call this moment in time: NPower 3.0.
2023 proved to be an incredible year for putting our NPower 3.0 pillars into action, with the fine-tuning, piloting, and rolling out of new programs and initiatives to help our students not only obtain the necessary skills and credentials to land jobs in tech but also have the upward mobility and opportunities that make for lasting careers in the industry. The pillars are not just a catchy way to summarize how we are prioritizing our growth, rather they help us stay focused on NPower's mission and create a lasting foundation that helps us expand into the future. So much of what we were able to achieve through these pillars was made possible by the $15 million in funding MacKenzie Scott awarded to NPower in 2022. onsider these important moments that allow us to continue to realize the vision of our 2030 Strategic Plan:
The Digital Literacy Program, our collaboration with Urban Alliance, entered its second year in advancing the training and job placement for high school students in underserved communities. We launched NPower SkillBridge, a free training program in cybersecurity for active-duty military members in their last 180 days of service.
Expand Learning Pathwa s - NPower piloted a variable week curriculum in Maryland that gives students access to on and off-ramps during the program based on their current and desired skill levels, while also giving them immediate access to jobs in tech
Advance S stems Change - To help companies follow through on their commitments to building a more inclusive tech workforce, the Command Shift Coalition launched the Diversity Directive, a comprehensive series of clear, concise strategies, guidelines, case studies, and other resources to support companies in making good on their promises to increase diversity
Build Scale and Sustainabilit - NPower expanded operations in San Antonio and Houston, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Raleigh North Carolina
Recognizing the strong economic growth in these regions and the pressing need to bridge the gap between job opportunities and under-resourced communities, NPower has become a proven source of trained and certified tech talent
NPower continues to hone our program delivery, while we explore more sustaining ways of achieving lasting change for the benefit of our learners. Our growth framework prioritizes community impact and encourages the necessary dialogue to catalyze positive change. As we create pathways to prosperity, we foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce, which will have lasting benefits to the communities where we operate and beyond.
Thank you to NPower s staff, partners, volunteers, and stakeholders for making our extraordinary growth in 2023 possible. Our collective efforts have had a profound impact on our students, alumni, and their families in a time when opportunity has never been more important. Let this year be a testament to our unwavering commitment to the NPower mission and help those we serve to expand the possibilities of the future.
In partnership,
Bertina Ceccarelli CEO
Matt Horner Chair, NPower Board of Directors Executive Vice President World Wide Technology
67% enter NPower with no college degree and 81% graduate with industry-recognized certifications
Sahai Redleaf
NPower California
Tech Fundamentals Fall 2023
Senior Consultant @ TSE Consulting |
Security Awareness Specialist
In 2023, the evolving demands of the job market, technological advancements, and the need for more inclusive hiring practices were key factors that led the shift toward skills-based hiring. While employment history and four-year degrees continue to be ways to filter out and select candidates, a new trend toward finding talent with the necessary credentials and the ability to adapt quickly to new technologies is opening the door for our students at NPower. 67% enter NPower programs with no college degree and 81% leave with industry-recognized certifications. Like many candidates looking to break into tech, NPower graduates often lack access to higher education to land entry-level jobs. And they are not alone. According to the LinkedIn Skills First Report, nearly 70% of jobs in the US require a bachelor’s degree but only 37% of the workforce have one. This locks out overlooked populations, including 72% of Black workers and 79% of Hispanic workers who currently don't hold a four-year degree. At NPower, we are tirelessly committed to the shift toward skill-based hiring and expanding the tech talent pool by offering candidates with the credentials and real-world experience that translate to adaptability in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Sahai was born in Ethiopia and spent time in foster care until she was adopted and moved to Chicago at age seven. Sahai credits her adoptive parents for keeping her connected to her past and culture and helping to bring her two other siblings to the U.S. Their unwavering support gave her the courage to move on her own to Oakland, California to pursue her dream career in the tech industry. "IT represented a dynamic and evolving sector within the business that captivated my attention, however, I recognized the need to expand my skill set to make a meaningful entry into the field. This realization led me to explore work opportunities that would enrich my knowledge in IT.
My quest brought me to the doorstep of NPower." While at NPower, she needed social support to stay afloat and pursue her dreams, but she was committed to completing the program and landing her first job. Despite the obstacles, she remained dedicated to her studies and was among the first trainees to pass the ITF+ exam. She believes NPower has given her the guidance and support needed to make a daring change in her life and further her tech career.
”As I continue to grow and thrive in tech, I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity NPower has provided me.”
Mulugeta Chekol Advanced Training Programs Cybersecurity Spring 2023 Systems Analyst, CHR Solutions
The first in his family to graduate from college, Mulugeta had been struggling to break out of the help desk roles he had been in for years. Hearing about NPower from a colleague, he saw an opportunity to transition into cybersecurity. Leveraging the tools he acquired in NPower's program, he was able to move from the public sector to the private, with a 38% increase in salary.
"NPower has played a pivotal role in my life and has contributed to my technical, professional, and career development. I have always had a strong passion for technology. The guest speakers have allowed me to see firsthand where skill, hard work, and dedication can lead. NPower provided the necessary tools, knowledge, and experience to succeed in the IT field and life. Thanks to NPower, I now know that the key to my success has a lot to do with character, preparation, aptitude, and confidence."
In 2023, NPower expanded its free tech training program into four markets, bringing new career opportunities to veterans, military-connected individuals, and young adults looking to launch tech careers. Funding from MacKenzie Scott gave NPower the necessary support for assessment and development of materials for strategic expansion to new markets.
The expansion began in March when NPower Texas opened in San Antonio. USAA funded the tech training expansion with an emphasis on building a stronger and more inclusive tech talent pool in the local community. The veteran community in San Antonio makes up nearly 13 % of the state’s population with the tech industry ranking near the top among the fastest-growing industries.
The NPower Texas expansion continued into the spring with the launch of its tech fundamental program in Houston. NPower and Harris County teamed up to train veterans, their spouses, and young adults 18-26.
Jonathan Pride, Executive Director of NPower Texas and former Captain in the U.S. Army, said San Antonio and Houston are ripe for developing tech talent, especially with its large population of military veterans and fifth-largest tech labor force. “NPower Texas is already one of the fastest-growing digital training hubs in the country,” said Pride. “We’re excited to expand this program's reach in a state with one of the nation's largest active and retired military populations.”
On September 11, in support of Truist Foundation and MetLife Foundation, NPower launched its Tech Fundamentals program to the greater Raleigh, North Carolina, and Research Triangle area, allowing 18–26year-olds, veterans, and military-connected individuals to obtain coveted tech skills and direct access to employment in the tech sector to join the new digital economy. Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park region have experienced enormous economic growth in the past five years with 17% job growth over the last five years and a projected 70% population growth by 2046.
In late September, NPower embarked on its expansion in Dayton, Ohio. The 20-week training program is a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the US Department of Labor. It addresses barriers that exist among young adults, military families, and women of color trying to launch careers in technology. The City of Dayton and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation funded the expansion. “Ohio is quickly becoming the low-cost alternative to Silicon Valley, and Dayton is best positioned for this growth,” said Demarus CrawfordWhite, Executive Director of NPower Ohio. “The City of Dayton understands if we are going to compete for the best IT and tech jobs, we need to ensure our young people, veterans, and their spouses are equipped with the skills for this new digital economy.”
Recognizing the strong economic growth in these regions and the pressing need to bridge the gap between job opportunities and under-resourced communities, NPower has become a proven source of trained and certified tech talent in areas poised for rapid growth in the technology sector. With more expansion planned in the future, NPower continues to serve as a strategic partner to local businesses, reduce talent search time and costs for employers, and help fill roles and develop a pipeline of skills-based talent to local communities.
New markets resulted in 235 more students joining NPower in 2023 and an impressive 209% program growth in Texas
NPower Thanks Our Generous Partners for Expanding Our Reach:
In January 2023, NPower SkillBridge was launched, a free training program in cybersecurity for active-duty military members in their last 180 days of service. NPower is one of the few 501(c)3 organizations to be selected by the Department of Defense as a Registered SkillBridge Partner. The intent of the program is to assist those leaving the active duty ranks to transition seamlessly into civilian life, armed with new skills, industry-recognized credentials, and job placement assistance.
The first NPower SkillBridge Cybersecurity cohort was conducted at Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall, in Arlington, Virginia in January 2023. The program expanded to Norfolk, Virginia in August 2023. Because the program is virtual, SkillBridge students serve around the world, from Arlington, VA, and as far away as Seattle, WA, Bahrain, South Korea, Germany, and Hawaii. Funding from MacKenzie Scott was instrumental in NPower SkillBridge reaching the ambitious goal of launching two locations in the first year.
The 10-week full-time cybersecurity course is a rigorous curriculum augmented with specialized professional development to assist with the transition from the military to a civilian career. NPower SkillBridge enables service members to earn industry-recognized credentials in CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Linux+, and Splunk Level I; all without incurring financial debt and saving GI Bill benefits for future use.
Military members learn critical technical skill sets that are needed now in the cybersecurity workforce. Students accepted into the program do not need a tech background or tech-related Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) to be trained in this red-hot career field. Determination, grit, discipline, and experience functioning as part of a team, helps NPower SKillBridge graduates land positions with premier employers. Companies that have hired SkillBridge graduates included the US Department of Homeland Security, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, CACI, and Deloitte. Most military members hold security clearances that, when coupled with new cyber credentials, make them powerful additions to the cyber workforce.
What makes the SkillBridge program unique is that it addresses problems of veteran unemployment or underemployment before it becomes an issue. With case-by-case commanding officer approval, active duty personnel are permitted to obtain NPower training while they are still on the DOD payroll. At the same time, they receive job placement assistance timed with their respective End of Service (EAS) dates, creating conditions for a seamless transition to civilian life. The day after one finishes defending the nation, they are hired to protect the network.
NPower SkillBridge continues to attract qualified students who seek to transition to a career in cybersecurity well into 2024. Future expansion includes establishing a training hub in San Diego to better serve those in Pacific Time Zones. The ultimate goal is to expand the NPower SkillBridge program to serve all major bases and stations, focused on those that are near or adjacent to developing tech hubs. We envision the NPower SkillBridge program growing to serve over 1,000 military personnel per year in the future.
In the first year, 95% of transitioning military members earn industryrecognized certifications and 97% graduated from the NPower SkillBridge program
“During my transition, I joined the NPower SkillBridge program, which was instrumental in my certification as a cybersecurity professional. The experience was enriching, culminating in a leadership award during my cohort. I’m thrilled to announce my new position as a Cyber Intelligence Analyst at ManTech. Here’s to the next chapter and the adventures it holds.”
Jose Benavides SkillBridge Fall 2023 Transitioning Marine Corps. Cyber Security Intelligence Analyst, ManTech
“If you can fight on physical terrain and you understand the tactics needed, you can transfer that to the virtual world.”
Chris Starling (USMC Col. Ret.), Executive Director, NPower SkillBridge
In July 2023, NPower’s Command Shift Coalition - a national coalition working to increase the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women of color in tech and tech-enabled sectors, unveiled new data about consumer attitudes towards US companies and their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. Results from a recent Omnibus show that 75% of American adults do not think US companies have followed through on their DEI commitments made during the pandemic and the same amount do not think companies are doing enough to recruit women of color in their workforce. Additionally, over one-fourth of Americans do not know what companies should do to help solve this issue. In the tech sector, women of color comprise merely 6% of the workforce, despite accounting for 20% of the population.
The Command Shift Coalition is on a mission to double the representation of women of color in tech jobs from 5% to 10% in 10 years to move toward equity in the sector. The new research from Command Shift also revealed that more than 67% of US adults believe that both CSuite (corporate leadership) and the U.S. government have some level of responsibility to diversify their workforce by recruiting women of color.
“Companies that lack an unwavering commitment to inclusion will lose in the next decade,” said Bertina Ceccarelli, CEO of NPower. “They will lose in the continuing war for talent, in the race for innovation, and the war for consumers, especially as the US population becomes more diverse.”
To help companies follow through on their DEI commitments, Command Shift created the Diversity Directive, a comprehensive series of clear, concise strategies, guidelines, case studies, and other resources to support companies in making good on their promises to increase diversity. The new digital hub, across four different unique toolkits, provides stepby-step guidance-- to meet companies where they are on their DEI journey, whether they are looking to make an initial DEI reporting/assessment or looking to make investments toward skill-building programs for employees/those across nontraditional backgrounds. While the focus of the recommended strategies and insights within the Diversity Directive are catered to accelerate women of color in the technology industry, the resources are available for use to meet a wide range of diversity goals.
“Increasing employee diversity at tech companies by hiring more women of color will require business leaders, human resource officers, recruitment managers, and others throughout the business to reassess and revamp their existing policies to prioritize hiring more women of color including those from underrepresented communities and non-traditional backgrounds,” said Candice Dixon, Executive Director of the Command Shift Coalition. Read The Diversity Directive today and to learn more about the work of Command Shift.
The Disrupt Your DEI by the Numbers toolkit provides action steps to help employers foster a culture of inclusion and belonging through thoughtful data collection and analysis.
The Shift Towards Transformational Investment toolkit highlights the successful implementation of strategic investments that boost alternative pathways for diverse candidates, including training and skills development via workforce development programs, community colleges, and other nontraditional settings.
The Shift Towards Inclusive Hiring toolkit guides companies through employmentrelated biases -how to spot them, avoid them, and how to reassess hiring criteria for future positions to include more diverse candidates.
Retention and Advancement: The Shift Towards Equitable Culture toolkit guides users on different strategies and programs that can be utilized to promote and retain Black, Latina, and Native American women within the technology sector.
A special thank you to the Command Shift Coalition for their investment, dedication, and insights in supporting our work in advancing women in tech.
NPower continues to provide opportunities for young adults in underrepresented communities to gain the necessary skills, credentials, and job placement assistance to land positions that help them grow and thrive in the tech sector. The adequate training and development of young professionals are vital to the innovation, progress, and overall success of the tech industry. The sector is recognizing that early career programs and training are fundamental ways to invest in the future workforce and help cultivate the necessary pipeline of career-ready talent. The young adults graduating from NPower also bring greater diversity, determination, and eagerness to a sector that is no longer out of reach thanks to new pathways and approaches to training programs.
In 2023, NPower continued to build on the collaboration with Urban Alliance to advance training and job placement for high school students in underserved communities. The Digital Literacy Program empowers high school students, predominantly from communities of color, with future-proof skills to not only access entrylevel tech jobs after graduation but ultimately to become economically self-sufficient. The program is made possible by Bank of America and its commitment to advancing racial equality and economic opportunity. Now in its second year, the Digital Literacy program further solidifies this commitment by connecting more diverse young talent to high-growth careers in tech.
NPower continues to provide students with innovative approaches to on-the-job training.
The launch of Community Help Desk in Missouri, Maryland, and Texas provides free technical support to community members in need, while simultaneously giving NPower students the opportunity to solve real-life tech challenges and issues. Graduates help seniors, families with school-aged children, college students, small business owners and many others with a range of technical issues including connectivity, hardware and software issues, and overall digital navigation, all while gaining the necessary experience to begin tech-focused careers after NPower.
The young adults enrolled through NPower in 2023 earned an average of $23,669 before starting NPower and graduates left the program with an average starting salary of $43,444, an 84% increase. Graduation rates also increased year-to-year to 84%.
The on-ramp, off-ramp model is a powerful way that NPower is meeting young adults where they are and making tech education accessible in underserved communities. The implementation of this unique and flexible training model has helped young adults needing to secure a job immediately obtain the necessary credentials to do so, while also providing a pathway to continue to acquire new certifications as time and opportunity allow. The flexibility offered in this model gives new students lacking the time and resources to complete a full 20-week course the ability to off-ramp at 10 weeks, and then return to obtain more certifications after landing employment.
5% Other
29% Unemployed before NPower
84% Graduated from NPower
NPower Ohio Tech Fundamentals Spring 2023 Desktop Support Technician, The Reynolds and Reynolds Company
eiss spent three years cleaning office suites in hopes of eventually working his way up the ladder but soon realized he was missing the technical experience needed to earn the role he dreamed of. With optimism, he enrolled in the NPower Tech Fundamentals program and with sheer grit and determination, earned coveted IT certifications and graduated. Now he is a Desktop Support Technician at a Dayton-based company where he previously was employed as a custodian.
“I know the saying goes, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. It’s not always the case. In my circumstance, with NPower it was true. All these doorways that were previously closed are probably doors that I couldn’t even see before are now open.”
NPower believes in the power of our veterans and military-connected individuals to pair their extensive experience with the skills we supply to make for thriving careers in the tech industry. The aptitude and overall appetite for tech as a field of study, along with the unique backgrounds that veteran applicants offer to employers, contribute largely to veterans being 64% more likely to be hired for information technology and tech services roles than their civilian counterparts according to the LinkedIn Veteran Opportunity Report.
Hiring veterans with the necessary training for tech careers not only means tapping into a diverse set of skills, experience, and leadership but also the recruitment of employees who are 8.3% more likely to stay in their initial roles than their civilian counterparts. This is good news for veterans, particularly those who are graduating from NPower at increased rates, and now have the necessary credentials to land a new job in tech.
In 2023, 32% of NPower veterans and militaryconnected individuals were women, up from 27% the year before. Veteran spouses made up 9% of NPower students. With 46% of veteran and militaryconnected enrollees unemployed before entering NPower, and graduates earning an average starting salary of $62,049.59, the highest reported average for tech fundamentals graduates within NPower overall.
Beyond the necessary tech credentials that NPower veteran graduates earn, there are many operational benefits to hiring from this unique talent pool with the hard and soft skills needed to thrive in tech careers onsider these key findings from the LinkedIn report
Veterans are 39% more likely to move into a leadership role within their first three years
6, , veterans are work-eligible
55% of veterans say they want to pursue d fferent careers than the ones they had n the m l tary
NPower operates in six of the top ten veteran locations in the U S.
Hiring a veteran allows companies to invest in a candidate with exceptional potential, demonstrated loyalty, and the capability to assume leadership responsibilities With the certifications and skills they acquire at NPower, veterans have unlimited potential to thrive in the tech sector and give employers a vibrant and diverse talent pool ready to lead the future of the industry
Tech Fundamentals Fall 2023 U.S. Navy Veteran Citi Operations & Technology Specialist
"NPower has been truly impactful, providing me with the tools and opportunities to fuel my passion for technology and pave the way for a successful career in the industry.
Throughout the program, I've embraced every opportunity to learn and improve, showcasing a quiet strength that drives me towards success in the tech industry."
Xenia Santana Martinez NPower California IT Support Specialist Fall 2023 U.S. Air Force Spouse Currently enrolled in NPower Cloud Computing
“Before NPower, I was a stay-at-home mom of a ten, six, and one-year-old. I was confused and worried about what the future had in store for me and my family. The time at NPower allowed me to learn about myself and to develop new hard skills obtained from knowledgeable tech instructors and soft skills such as leadership and adaptability. I am very excited to continue this journey and apply all the knowledge NPower has helped me obtain and continue growing until achieving the most in this field.”
As the technology sector continues to evolve rapidly, apprenticeships play a critical role in providing a reliable, credentialed, and diverse talent pool of workers eager to begin new tech careers. NPower apprenticeships give our graduates unique learning opportunities that allow them to gain valuable work experience and build upon the fundamentals learned in the classroom. The apprenticeship model also gives NPower graduates a greater understanding of the tech industry as a whole and helps them prepare to meet the growing and changing demands of the sector. The result is often a win-win for employers if they are willing to look at their hiring practices differently.
“I see a number of companies that require years of prior technology experience even for entry-level jobs,” said NPower CEO Bertina Ceccarelli. “This biased hiring practice prevents skilled and certified people from all backgrounds and zip codes, but new to the sector, from getting a step onto the first rung of the tech career ladder. A structured work-based learning program with a path to full-time employment is a viable, practical solution.”
In 2023, NPower registered more Department of Labor apprentices and added a third apprenticeship occupation, which heightens earn and learn career pathway options. NPower apprenticeships now cover IT Generalist, Cybersecurity Support Technician, and Software Developer roles. NPower also received $27,700 in apprenticeship incentive funding for each registration from partners Intermediaries, Appteon, and Safal Partners. To date, NPower has placed a total of 406 nationwide apprentices.
NPower apprenticeships are the dynamic talent solution to not only bridge the persistent skills gap in the tech industry but also provide a pipeline of diverse talent; more specifically those starting a career in tech without a four-year degree. Companies invested in providing apprenticeship training in IT, cloud computing, and cybersecurity training, are poised to bridge that gap and expand job opportunities to those from underrepresented communities.
“I encourage any company with tech or techadjacent positions to adopt the apprenticeship model as a strategy that goes above and beyond addressing immediate workforce needs — but also as a strategy to recruit, mentor, and hire diverse and often overlooked talent.”
- Bertina Ceccarelli, CEO NPower Read full Forbes Article Here
2023 Apprenticeships by the Numbers
Abiola Adenuga
NPower New Jersey Tech Fundamentals Spring 2023 Cybersecurity Fall 2023 U.S. Navy Veteran Apprentice, Citi
Abiola was in the process of transitioning out of the Navy and into civilian life when she heard about NPower through a VA resource. As the program was coming to an end, Abiola received an invitation to interview for an IT Apprenticeship with Citi, and she was offered the role over many other candidates. She had the chance to work in the Risk and Compliance Department and utilized her tech and project management skills. She also enrolled in the fall cohort of NPower’s Cybersecurity program, all while managing to work full-time. Now, she is a Cybersecurity graduate, having earned her Security+ certification, and is looking for new employment opportunities to continue to advance in her career.
"Thanks to the team at NPower, I have acquired some new technical skills like troubleshooting, networking, and computer hardware operation, among others. I am looking forward to applying these skills in my first IT position and exploring the technology world."
The commitment to providing invaluable real-world experiences is integral to the professional and personal development of NPower students. NPower’s volunteer programs afford our students meaningful opportunities to develop as future professionals, including hands-on experiences and mentorship. Resume building, mock interview workshops, and the mentoring offered through NPowerMATCH allow volunteers to inspire confidence among participants as they pursue their career goals. The relationships built through these programs also help students build their professional networks and can lead to powerful connections and new pathways to lasting careers in the tech industry.
Thank you to the 1,579 volunteers who devoted 10,500 hours in 2023 to NPower students and all they have contributed to expand our program experiences.
NPower Volunteers by the Numbers
Puja Budhathoki U.S. Army Reserve NPower Texas Tech Fundamentals Fall 2023
“Kristina, your mentorship played a pivotal role in my journey and has been invaluable to me. Thank you for believing in me and for helping me pave the way to a brighter future. I’m truly grateful for your guidance and support. I’m thrilled to continue pushing boundaries and achieving even greater milestones in the future!”
Kristina Adams Engagement Manager AWS Professional Services
“I was introduced to the NPower program by a colleague at Amazon as part of Amazon’s Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility leadership principle. I thought it would be a nice opportunity for me to give back to the community and share the lessons learned from my career journey with someone from the next generation. I did not know at the start how much I would end up getting back from the program for myself. I was matched with a woman who was in the NPower program taking a full-time course, as well as being in the Army Reserves, and about to start work on her Master’s Degree. We’ve been meeting monthly since the end of December (I joined the program after it had already started). The progress my mentee has made has been really incredible. She had to put in extra study hours offline to keep up with the level of her training with the program, but she did it, and she really did amazing over this last semester. At the end of the program, she had accomplished all of the goals she set in December, even though it was very challenging and there were times we felt like she might not be able to tackle them all. Then her heartfelt gratitude to me, and her encouragement of me as a mentor was so moving. It gave me perspective and helped me find more meaning in my work as well as helped me really hone in on the type of work I excel at and enjoy and should pursue more of.”
Introducing the Diversity Directive
Addressing the Cybersecurity Talent Shortage
NPower Community Help Desk Launches in St. Louis
How Veterans are Reinventing Themselves with NPower
Yehuda Klein
NPower California IT Support Specialist ITSS Spring 2023 Apprentice - Site Reliability Engineer, Sony Interactive Entertainment
“NPower has given me valuable insights and equipped me with essential workplace skills. I have earned ITF+ and Google IT support certificates and developed expertise in areas like networking and goal setting. I am confident that this training will enable me to thrive in the tech industry and contribute to my future success.”
From newsletters and press mentions to robust social media presence and followings, NPower expanded its outreach with impressive numbers in 2023.
Traditional Media Coverage:
Resulted in 4,740 visits to NPower.org a total of 6,369 times
Articles and Placements:
NPower featured 75 times in top-tier publications including Forbes and Insider
2023 Press and Media
Impressions: 550,331,512
LinkedIn:
NPower’s strongest platform grew 23%
Emails: 703,065 recipients of emails with an open rate of 32%
Social Media:
Social media channels grew by 87,000 interactions year-to-year
Website: 647,791 website visits that resulted in a 50% increase
Accenture remains a steadfast supporter of NPower's Command Shift and Community Help Desk initiatives. Their crucial support for Command Shift significantly contributes to advancing the representation of women, especially women of color, in the tech industry. Accenture has also been instrumental in developing a framework for the nationwide launch and expansion of our Community Help Desk program.
NPower’s collaboration with Akamai is a shared commitment to providing equitable opportunities for students from under-resourced communities. Their generous funding enables us to offer free cybersecurity training and certifications that are directly aligned with the demands of today's cybersecurity job market.
Broadridge renewed its partnership with NPower for three years, with a specific focus on providing essential general operating support and advancing the impactful Command Shift initiative.
Comcast NBCUniversal generously awarded a national grant to support several NPower programs and initiatives into 2024, including Command Shift’s launch of Path2TECH, and support of veteran, active duty, and military-connected individuals enrolled in New Jersey, Michigan, Maryland, California, SkillBridge, and Advanced Training.
In 2023, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America continued support of Command Shift and advanced programs in Cyber and Cloud through our Advancing Tech Careers Collaborative. The Design Thinking Workshop and Shark Tank event, staffed with employee volunteers, provided Fundamentals students with an opportunity to leverage all of their skills learned at NPower.
NPower collaborates with LinkedIn to level the playing field for students from underserved communities. Thanks to their generous funding and invaluable gift-in-kind support, our organization can equip students with the knowledge, skills, and certifications essential in today's competitive IT market.
Citi Foundation has significantly bolstered its support for NPower programs, aiming to drive transformative and systemic changes within the tech industry. Their strategic focus includes support for Command Shift, Alumni Support and Engagement, Community Help Desk, Capacity Building, and Thought Leadership initiatives.
In 2023, NPower was able to invest in all four of our 3.0 pillars with the generous support from MacKenzie Scott. Ms. Scott’s contribution has not only supported launches of new regions and our SkillBridge program, but also Community Help Desks in St. Louis and Baltimore. Her funding was critical to NPower’s ability to offer our upskill training to select corporate partners to generate revenue beyond philanthropy, as well as upgrade our internal systems to support fundraising, donor engagement, and data analytics. Her investment will also advance the 2024 launch of Path2Tech, our program to help more women enter and succeed in tech careers.
In 2023, MetLife Foundation continued their support of NPower’s work to help military veterans and women launch their careers in technology through the Tech Fundamentals program, Command Shift and the NPowerMatch mentoring program. The Foundation also played a critical role in NPower expanding its work into Raleigh, North Carolina and has continued to support current NPower students and graduates through our traumaresponsive program delivery model and alumni engagement efforts.
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation became a pivotal partner in 2023. Their support has been instrumental in our efforts to expand into new markets, including Dayton, Ohio, and Sacramento, California. The partnership has enabled us to broaden our reach and make a significant impact in these communities.
In 2023, The NBA Foundation renewed our partnership with a two-year commitment to support over 500 Black youth through 2024 by helping them launch new upwardly mobile careers in tech. The students will rise as professionals and role models who open doors for their peers and community.
Northrop Grumman’s steadfast support of NPower’s Tech Fundamentals programs, and their dedicated focus on military veterans have helped transform lives. Their commitment has not only made a meaningful impact but has also paved the way for positive change and empowerment.
Through our ongoing partnership with Palo Alto Networks, NPower provides free access to top-tier cybersecurity certifications. We're paving the way for in-demand careers in the critical field of cybersecurity and together, securing a safer digital future.
WWT has continued its efforts in advancing systems change and supporting a seamless transition from classroom to work with the support of the Community Help Desk in St Louis.
Our partnership with Zendesk bridges the digital divide in under-resourced communities. Through their generous funding and gift-in-kind support, NPower can provide direct tech support to those most impacted by the digital gap in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Dallas.
In 2023, NPower California received a grant through the California Workforce Development Board’s Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative. Administered by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the BBTE grant supported NPower California’s work to remove employment barriers for low-income individuals residing in Los Angeles County. In honor of Black History Month, NPower California received a Community Assist Grant from the NHL hockey team San Jose Sharks to expand services to low-income individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Wayne Metro Community Action Agency partnered with NPower Michigan to provide a more holistic approach to accessing community resources and increase cohort retention rates. In addition to its financial commitment to NPower Michigan, Bank of America supplied a team of experts to enhance the professional development curriculum and provided Better Money Habits for Economic Mobility workshops for each cohort. The State of Michigan Department of Technology Management and Budget collaborated with NPower Michigan on program success to ensure graduates were ready to meet the everchanging demands of the workplace and foster industry success. To further support its grantees, Rocket Community Fund hosted an AI Explained event to demystify and unlock the power of AI.
In 2023, a select group of NPower Missouri alumni received valuable on-the-job training and coaching to further enhance their skills at Mercy, a top-five healthcare system in the United States. The apprenticeship program furthers Mercy’s commitment to improving the health of the St. Louis community by fostering workforce development and supporting strategies that benefit individuals and families. Funding from Cortex advanced the Missouri Tech First Initiative by helping NPower Missouri expand and enhance its Tech Fundamentals programs across the state and prepare Missourians for high-demand tech careers to elevate the state’s technological and economic standing.
In 2023, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development awarded generous funding through the PreApprenticeship in Career Education program that supports training to prepare eligible New Jersey residents for placement into USDOL Registered Apprenticeship Programs or other quality placements. Support from The Prudential Foundation helped 200 veteran trainees and young adults from underserved communities participate in the New Jersey Tech Fundamentals program in Newark. Through this program, participants gain marketable job skills – including soft skills – and the knowledge and confidence to secure full-time careers in the tech sector.
NPower Texas more than tripled growth in 2023 due to the successful expansion into San Antonio and Houston, thanks to generous support from USAA and the Harris County Department of Economic Equity & Opportunity. In San Antonio, the Texas Workforce Commission Transitioning Veterans to Apprenticeship grant enhanced recruitment efforts for veterans through targeted digital and traditional engagement and created new local apprenticeship pathways in IT. The City of San Antonio Ready to Work Program gave NPower students additional support and resources with its one-of-a-kind initiative to connect residents to education and quality jobs. Efforts in Houston were recognized in the White House Playbook for Apprenticeships That Work in September of 2023, highlighting our successful approach and commitment to workforce development. And in Dallas Fort Worth, our work has continued to grow through key support for the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans Assistance, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and the Texas Talent Connection.
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Cipriani Wall Street
The annual NPower Gala was an awe-inspiring evening as we recognized all we have Built Together. The event raised nearly $2.1 million with your support and commitment to the future of our organization. We returned to Cipriani Wall Street in New York City and heard moving speeches and heartwarming anecdotes, all to help NPower create pathways to technology careers for veterans, transitioning military members, military-connected individuals, and young adults from underserved communities.
NPower honored and celebrated two incredible executives during the evening: Michel Khalaf, Chief Executive Officer of MetLife, and Jane Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of Citi. Their uplifting words left us all so inspired and motivated about the future of those we serve at NPower. We couldn’t help but be moved by NPower alumna Yinette Fernandez, who outlined the business case for inclusivity. Our board members Matt Horner, Gail Fierstein, and Jennifer Kleinert, masterfully set the tone for the evening. Our total amount raised was largely due to the enthusiastic efforts of two NPower board members and notable IT industry leaders, David Reilly and Peter Trizzino. Together, we built a case for the future of NPower and beyond.
Relive the Gala Experience With These Highlights:
2023 Gala video
NPower Alumna Yinette
Fernandez NPower honoree and Citi
Chief Executive Officer, Jane Fraser
NPower would like to give a special thank you to our Gala Sponsors for your generous support of our programs and all we have Built Together.
UNDERWRITERS $750K+
AT&T
Baltimore Mayor's Office of Employment Development - TRAIN Up
Citigroup Technology Inc.
Globant
Juniper Networks
Lockheed Martin
MetLife Foundation
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
Pricewaterhouse
Coopers LLP
Truist Foundation
The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.
SPONSORS $250K+
Accenture, LLP
Breaking Barriers | The Foundation for California
Community Colleges Broadridge
Comcast NBCUniversal
Cortex
Craig Newmark Fund
Dallas College
Harris County Texas
The Heckscher Foundation for Children
Hitachi Vantara, LLC
Humble Bundle
National Basketball Association
New York State
Oak Hill Advisors
Pluralsight LLC
Robin Hood
Texas Veterans Commission
Texas Workforce Commission - Wagner Peyser
United States Department of Homeland Security
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
World Wide Technology
The Abell Foundation
Akamai Technologies
Bank of America
Bloomberg LP
BNY Mellon
Capital One Financial Corp.
CISCO SYSTEMS
City of Dayton
Dell Technologies
Deloitte
Dennis & Judy Jones Family Foundation
EARN Maryland, Department of Labor
General Motors
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
Kapor Center
LinkedIn Corporation
Llewellyn Family Foundation
Mass Mutual Life Insurance Company
Mastercard
May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust
Missouri Department of Economic Development
Motorola Solutions Foundation
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce
Development
NETSCOUT
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Palo Alto Networks
The Prudential Foundation
Ron and Cyndi Gula
Sharks Foundattion
Standard & Poor's Corporation
State of New Jersey - PACE
Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
Texas Workforce Commission
Tiger Foundation
United Way of Greater St. Louis
West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation, Inc.
Workday Foundation
Ainslie Foundation
Ascension Information Services
Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation
Check Point Software Technologies, LTD
DAV Charitable Service Trust
Hewlett Packard Company
Kaiser Permanente
KPMG
L'Oreal Groupe
Light a Single Candle Foundation, NFP
OKTA, Inc.
Rainwater Charitable Foundation
SHI International Corp.
Stripe
Teneo Holdings LLC
Texas Mutual Insurance Company
United Way of Southeastern Michigan
Verisign
Veterans' Educational Assistance Program
Zendesk
Ally Financial
Amazon
American Direct Marketing Resources
Andreessen Horowitz Cultural Leadership
Fund
Appian Corporation
Appteon
Atlas Data Systems
Broadcom Inc
Celine, Inc.
City of San Antonio - Ready to Work
Cohesity
Comerica
Dugas Family Foundation Inc
Elasticsearch
Ernst & Young
Fiserv Inc.
Fortinet, Inc.
Guardian Life Insurance
IBM
Indeed, Inc.
Infinidat
Intel Corporation
Keeley Companies
Knowledge Services
Kroger NetApp Inc.
New York City
New York City - Human Resources Administration
New York Times Company
NTT Data
Nutanix Inc
Oracle
Own Company
Pure Storage
Regional Business Council
Rubrik
Schnuck Markets, Inc.
ServiceNow
State Street Bank
Super Micro Computer, Inc.
The Thomas M., Helen McKee & John Pz. Ryan Foundation, Inc.
The William R. Orthwein, Jr. Foundation, Inc.
VMware, Inc.
Wells Fargo Bank
Wipro Technologies
Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA San Antonio)
National Advisory Council
David Boyle
Principal (Retired) Ernst & Young, LLP
Einat Burshtine
Data and Strategy Consultant
Nic Caputo
Global Sales Director, Financial Services SHI International
Judy Arteche-Carr
CEO & Managing Director Arteche Global Group
Luke Chilone
Co-Chair Consultant
Anne Gilroy
Co-Chair
Senior Vice President Bank of America
Amy Gnagy
Managing Director Accenture
Jesse Hillman
CIO/CISO
Steve Mase
Director Global Quality Assurance Operations Co-Chair Citi
Dan Maslowski
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Rob Robless
VP Technology Globant
Lynn Bednar
Managing Director Deloitte Technology
Nader Souri
Managing Director/ Head of Corporate Banking BNY Mellon
Regional Advisory Board California
Eddie Borrero
Phil Dillard
Troy Johnson
Managing Director, Western Regional Technology
Ed Morales
Chief Information Security Of
Thao Nguyen
Senior Vice President & Group Manager Comerica Bank
Jim Wong
Chairman of the Board National Veterans Transition Services
Maryland
Frank Baitman
Chair Senior Advisor MDC Studio
Sandra A. Bempong
Grants Officer Community Health & Social mpact CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Michael R. DiBlasio
Sr Technical Program Manager Amazon Web Services
Eboni Fotang
Director, Quality and Mission Excellence Northrop Grumman
Gayle Guilford
(Retired) Chief Information Security Officer Baltimore City Government
Scott Harris
President VIAcode
Blair Johnson
Consultant
Ed Mullin
Business Development Manager DP Solutions
Natasha Murphy
Director of Health Policy Center for American Progress
Andrew Parlock
Director New Business Defense ICEYE
Retired BM Michigan
Bruce Williams Christine Burkette
Digital Equity Director City of Detroit
Myka Burley
Associate Director, Skills Michigan Central
Terrance Campbell
Cybersecurity Front Line Manger US IRS
Lisa Cawley
Managing Director Accenture Plc.
Julian Gantt
NPower Alum
Application Development Associate Accenture Plc.
Chanel Hampton, PhD
Chief Executive Officer Strategic Community Partners
Harvey Hollins III, MPP
Founder and Managing Director Holl ns Consulting, LLC
Miguel Mickey
Client Executive
U.S. Public Sector State and Local Government Microsoft
Dion A. Williams
Director Community Engagement Detroit Medical Center
Sean Perry
Chief Information Officer Kelly
Bryan Waldron
Partner, FBRK Brands Founder, MANSA
Markeith Weldon
Terrence Griffin
Custom Software Engineering Associate Accenture Federal Services
Matt Holton
Senior V ce President, Operations & Technology, NAM Mastercard
Gerry Lewis
Chief Information Officer US Radiology Specialists
Justin McFarland
Executive Vice Pres dent
Information Technology McCarthy Holdings, Inc.
Brian Mize
Department Manager G oba Cyber
Security Information Security Office Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
James Norberg
VP, ISO Insurance & Security IT Enterprise Information Protection Humana
Matt Rakers
Scott Richert
Executive Director IT Shared Services KPMG C O Mercy
Michael Rupinski
Vice President Keeley Companies
Nicole Tate
Chair Area V ce Pres dent G oba Client Enab ement World Wide Technology
Reedy Wade
Vice President Academy Engagement & Impact NAF
Chris Wegmann
Senior Managing Director Accenture New Jersey
Jacquie Cleary
CEO, Chair Atlas
Chief Executive Officer Weldon Global IT Missouri
Tara Fosbre
Second Vice President of
Technology Guardian Life
Magna Hadley
VP & Global Head Healthcare Adv sor Tata Consultancy Services
Avneet Thapar Hall
Third Party Governance Risk Ad
Nahomie Louis
ccent
Brian Quinn
Director, U.S Pub c Pol cy Audible, Inc.
John Sasso
Associate Director Business Enab ement Ernst & Young LLP
Amber St.John
Manager, G obal Supplier Diversity & Economic Inclusion Mondelēz International
Ohio
Matthew Chaney
VP, Inclus ve Excellence Wright State University
James Cosby
Executive Director Bottom Line
Sean Lightfoot
Realtor Howard Hanna
Alicia Manning
Senior Manager Windes Advisory | Audit | Tax
Jon Rike
C O City of Dayton
Kari Tucker
S&E Student Programs WPAF/ Spouse
Kalunde Wambua
Vice President Caresource
Texas
David Archuleta
Combined Arms
Emir Putra
Kian Sanders
VP Mr.Cooper
V ce President of Operations NETSCOUT
Doug Barnes Barbie Barta
Chief Exectu ve Officer Business Centric Technology
Jackie Bragg
Information Security Ana yst NPower Alumni Representative Wells Fargo
Dana Branch
Senior V ce Pres dent AI Bank of America
Tresia Eaves
Entrepeneur SDVOSB
Drew Simonis
Chief Information Security Officer Juniper Networks
Yang Ming Corp
Renee Stewart Hermen Wegayehu Charles Woodin
Chair SVP, Senior Information Security Officer Bank of America Geekdom
Valencia Woodard WWT
AVP, Talent Managment Mr. Cooper
Port San Antonio
Cloud Infastructure Finance Oracle
Chaunte' Hall Blake Helm Jason Hess
Executive Director JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Process Technical Services
Diamond Offshore
Marc Interial Timothy Jackson Rashmi Jain
Christopher Karp Director of Customer Serv ce Auctane
Bobbie Long Ashley Neumeier
Co Chair SVP Digital Automation & Infrastructure Citi
Account Executive Optomi
Raymond Pitts
Founder and Board of Director Member 100 Men Enterprise
Ronald Gula
Thomas Kurian
Christiane Costello
David Reilly
Dean Del Vecchio
Jennifer Kleinert
Mark Patterson
Matt Horner
Michael Doumani
Paul Daugherty
Peter Trizzino
Ron Robbins
Stephen Murphy
Ann Marr
Benjamin Hyman
Bruce Williams
Damon Downing
Einat Burshtine
Jose Vilar
Randolph Johnson
Stefen Welch
Susanne Tedrick
Tanya Loh
Tobias Billings
