Tech:NYC’s Decoded Futures Announces Fourth Cohort Empowering 20+ NYC Orgs with AI Skills to Scale their Impact
Tech:NYC’s Decoded Futures is thrilled to announce the fourth cohort of our initiative at the epicenter of AI for impact, equipping mission-driven organizations with the tools, frameworks, and networks to harness AI to scale their impact.
As the pace of technological change reshapes how services are delivered and impact meets community needs, Decoded Futures ensures that New York City’s most trusted civic, cultural, and community institutions are shaping this transformation. Through eight-week cohorts that connect social sector leaders with technologists from NYC’s leading tech companies, strategic resources, and peer learning opportunities, this program bridges the gap between the social sector and AI, helping organizations use emerging technologies to build real-world capacity and innovation. This new cohort is the second in partnership with Google.org.
“In moments of rapid technological innovation, it is crucial that nonprofits are equipped with the tools and confidence to innovate,” said Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC. “Decoded Futures brings the tech sector and the social sector together, creating capacity at the organizations that New Yorkers rely on every day.”
Cohort 4: A Diverse Coalition of Leaders Across Sectors
“Decoded Futures brings intentional support and partnership to organizations that are core to New Yorkers’ lives,” said Jenni Warren, Program Director of Decoded Futures. “This cohort reflects a deep commitment to ensuring technology works for communities.”
The fourth Decoded Futures cohort convenes an inspiring cross-section of organizations advancing literacy, equity, housing stability, STEM education, arts and culture, and community wellbeing. These organizations are committed to exploring how technology can scale their own impact and drive new possibilities for their respective sectors:
Alight — Partnering with displaced communities globally to build safety, resilience, and opportunity.
AI Leaders: Sarah Currid, Chief Marketing & Engagement Officer; Stephen Robertson, Global Partnership Development Manager
Black Girls Code — Empowering girls and young women of color with coding and STEM education.
AI Leaders: Shannan McMillan-Gibbs, Director of Marketing; Robert Robinson, VP of Student Success
Brooklyn Museum — One of the nation’s largest and most culturally inclusive art museums.
AI Leaders: Danielle Piendak, Director of Development Revenue & Strategy; D’Ante Dukes, Development & Systems Operation Manager
Candid — Providing data, research, and insights to strengthen philanthropy and nonprofit effectiveness.
AI Leaders: Catalina Spinel, Director of Partnerships; Astrid Vinje, Senior Contracts & Compliance Manager
Children’s Aid — Equipping children and families with educational support, health services, and community programs.
AI Leaders: Moria Cappio, Chief of Staff; Kristine Arguelles, Business Support Analyst
Churchill School & Center — Delivering specialized K–12 education for students with language-based learning disabilities.
AI Leaders: Arnold Schickler, Founder; Tim McKeon, Director of Technology; Tim Madigan, Head of School
DreamYard — Partnering with schools and youth to deliver arts-integrated education rooted in social justice.
AI Leaders: Reynaldi Lolong, Director of Development; Eddy Gonzalez, IT Manager
GIVE (Global Impactful Vision Efforts) Inc. — Mobilizing community-centered philanthropy for social change.
AI Leaders: Sergio Monterroso, Executive Director; Marcela Carrera, Grant Manager
Governor’s Committee on Scholastic Achievement — Championing mentoring and college access for underserved public high school students.
AI Leaders: Milly Seraus-Roache, Executive Director; Charmain Walkin, Program Director
Grand St. Settlement Inc. — A historic nonprofit offering early childhood education, youth and family services, and senior support.
AI Leaders: Maurice Rawls, Borough Deputy Director of Youth; Kris Greene, Deputy Director of Brooklyn Youth Programs
Hispanic Federation — Strengthening Latino families and institutions through advocacy and leadership development.
AI Leaders: Stephen M Calenzani, VP for Development; Annie Troy, Development Officer
Hour Children, Inc. — Supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their families with housing and reentry services.
AI Leaders: Cynthia Brackett, Chief Impact & Program Officer; Dina Knez, Contracts & Grants Manager; Josalie Condon, Impact & Assessments Manager
Intrepid Museum — Bringing science, history, and service to life through immersive education aboard the USS Intrepid.
AI Leaders: Lee Ann Gullie, Vice President of Institutional Advancement; Jessica Williams, Head Curator
Lime Connect — Empowering high-achieving students and professionals with disabilities.
AI Leaders: Rene Forsythe, Director of Professional Development; Alissa Brower, Senior Engagement Manager
LINC (Literacy in Community) — Mobilizing literacy-rich environments across NYC to ensure children and families thrive through reading.
AI Leaders: Josh Barocas, Senior Director of Early Literacy; Anesu Masakura, Senior Staff Associate
Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty — Providing food assistance, job readiness, and emergency support to build economic stability.
AI Leaders: Jeffrey Yoskowitz, Director of Special Initiatives; Shannon McChesney, Business Systems Administrator
Mixteca Organization — Strengthening Mexican and Latin American immigrant communities through legal, education, and health services.
AI Leaders: Lorena Kourousias, Executive Director; María Ponce, Director of Development; Marcelino Martinez, Director of Finance
Navigate the Maze to Achievement — Simplifying access to benefits and support services for individuals and families.
AI Leaders: Allison Shillingford, Founder/Executive Director; Zenzele Franklin, Program Manager, College Success
Neighborhood Housing Services of NYC — Supporting financial counseling, homeownership education, and affordable housing.
AI Leaders: Lucy Raimes, Director of Strategic Partnerships & Resource Development; Laura McKenna, Director of Marketing & Communications
St. Nicks Alliance — A community anchor providing education, housing, workforce support, and elder services in North Brooklyn.
AI Leaders: Sarah Lorya, Chief of Staff; Wilfredo Perez, Deputy Director for IT
The Center for Fair Futures — Improving outcomes for youth in and aging out of foster care through advocacy and training.
AI Leaders: Sabeen Pirani, Associate Chief Learning & Impact Officer; Megan Avery, Director of Learning Systems & Design; Janelle Greco, Director of Learning & Impact
The Gotham Film & Media Institute — Championing diverse voices in film and media through community programming.
AI Leaders: Colin Whitlow, Senior Director, Business Development & Operations; Kia Brooks, Deputy Director
YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester — Advancing racial justice and empowering women, children, and families through advocacy, leadership development, youth programs, childcare, and wellness services.
AI Leaders: Tiffany Hamilton, Chief Executive Officer; Javon Trottman-Floyd, Chief Operating Officer
Decoded Futures is also lucky to have 25 volunteer technologists from some of NYC’s leading tech companies join to closely collaborate with these nonprofits to help them design custom AI solutions. All in all, an unmatched combination.
What’s Ahead
Over the coming weeks, Decoded Futures Cohort 4 will join workshops, cross-sector exchange, and collaborations with technologists and subject matter experts. Participants will explore how digital tools and emerging technologies can accelerate mission impact, bridging strategy and implementation with practical frameworks and prototypes.
As technology accelerates change across every sector of our city, Decoded Futures continues to ensure that those closest to community challenges shape how innovation is used to address them.
Over its first year of programming, Decoded Futures has served 220 NYC nonprofits and 1,200+ nonprofits nationally, empowered 200+ AI-powered prototypes, awarded $1M to nonprofits to continue leveraging AI, and seen 95% of our cohort members continue to develop AI solutions. It has emerged as a force multiplier for organizations, with cohort members going on to secure more funding, scale their operations, and emerge as AI leaders in their fields.
None of this work would be possible without the support of our incredible partners: Google.org, Robin Hood Learning & Technology Fund, Salesforce, Altman Foundation, OpenAI, and AWS.
We’re honored to collaborate with this latest remarkable group of social sector organizations, and can’t wait to see what they build. Stay tuned for updates, learnings, and stories from Decoded Futures Cohort 4 in the months ahead.
Want to Get Involved?
Decoded Futures is at the epicenter of AI for impact and we keep growing. If you work in the social sector and want to join Decoded Futures OR you work in tech and want to contribute your skills to help the social sector integrate AI, please email info@decodedfutures.org.