About Us

Two students working at laptops

Mission

We work at the intersection of academia and industry to propel women and underrepresented communities into computing degrees and tech careers.

Through curriculum innovation, career access, and community building, our goal is to achieve gender equality in tech.

Our Team

We support curious and self-motivated women and nonbinary undergraduate students as they explore academic and career opportunities in computing fields. Located at the University of Maryland, Break Through Tech DC collaborates with tech leaders in all fields. Whether you’re a large corporation, a startup, a nonprofit, in government, or in academia, we want to partner with you.

George Mason University was also selected as a Break Through Tech DC site and offered Break Through Tech programming from March 2021 through June 2024. Mason is continuing its commitment to gender equality in tech by continuing a peer mentorship program for women and nonbinary students in computing disciplines, hosting career development speaking events geared toward women interested in tech, and sending students annually to AnitaB.org’s Grace Hopper Celebration.

Break Through Tech DC Leadership

Kate Atchison

Kate Atchison

she/her
Break Through Tech DC Site Lead; Associate Director of the Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C)

Break Through Tech DC Staff and Faculty Members

Katie Bemb

she/her
Communications Lead, Break Through Tech DC

Pamela Duffy

she/her
Lecturer and Faculty Director of B.S. in Information Science, College of Information
Roger Eastman photo

Roger Eastman

he/him
Director of Immersive Media Design and Professor of Practice, Computer Science

Elias Gonzalez

he/him
Curriculum Innovation Lead, Break Through Tech DC

Monica Hilliard

she/her
Data Lead, Break Through Tech DC

Robert Infantino

he/him
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
Kate Izsak

Kate Izsak

she/her
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Information

Poojaa Ravi Kumar

she/her
Graduate Assistant, Break Through Tech DC

Noah Owens

he/him
Student Career Programs Coordinator, Break Through Tech DC
Ron Padron

Ron Padrón

he/him
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, College of Information
Caitlin Rudy

Caitlin Rudy

she/her
Program Manager, Industry Partnerships, Break Through Tech DC

Alyssa Ryan

she/her
Assistant Director, Immersive Media Design
Veronica Sanchez

Veronica Sanchez

she/her
Program Manager, Student Retention, Iribe Initiative for Inclusion and Diversity in Computing (I4C)

Omonegho Ugheoke

she/her
Data Graduate Assistant, Break Through Tech DC