Before joining CNS, Leo spent four years as a Help Desk Agent for one of CNS’ sister companies. His vast experience in numerous customer service roles helps him share knowledge and connect with the people. He wants every person to not only be taken care of, but to feel important and valued as a human being. Leo is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and a descendant of the Wenatchapam people. He moved to the Umatilla Reservation 18 years ago. He is married to an enrolled member of the Umatilla Tribe and together they have a family of three girls and one boy.
Kendall is a member of the Cherokee Nation and has previously served in the military for 8 years in the reserve component, obtaining an honorable discharge in 2020. While serving, Kendall obtained necessary skills through classes, training seminars and field experience to obtain the position of Digital Navigator for the Cherokee Nation. Prior to accepting this role, he has worked mainly in the IT field civilian side, while also taking online courses in Data Analysis, IT, and Data Management.
Sarah, a graduate with degrees in History and Political Science from Washington & Jefferson College, is devoted to bridging the digital divide in Washington County. Currently residing in California, PA, she addresses the unique challenges faced by this rural coal county, providing in-person digital skills training and free devices to unserved and underserved communities. Drawing from her experiences in City Council, the Clerk of Courts, and Target, Sarah excels in interpersonal skills, effectively assisting individuals. Passionate about digital equity and inclusion, she personally visits homes, empowering users to develop their skills independently. Sarah’s work transforms lives and contributes to the community’s economic growth.
Megan’s personal mission is to ensure that every client and family that CSP serves has access to digital devices, digital skills, and affordable internet service. She believes that having these vital things will empower and equip families and also decrease the inequalities of financial, racial, and gender disparities throughout the digital community. In her part time, Megan serves as the Library Director for a small rural town and the patrons are eagerly anticipating all of the opportunities that will be available through the Community Service Programs of West Alabama’s digital inclusion initiative. Megan has her bachelor’s degree in psychology, many years’ teaching and training experience in Workforce Development, and a passion to serve others has provided her with another opportunity to do what she loves most–that is to make a positive contribution to the lives of others.
Tyler grew up in the village of Ge’e Ki (Sacaton) in the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC) and has worked for GRIC for over 10 years. In his free time, Tyler enjoys running and skateboarding. Tyler says, “I view my role as a digital navigator as an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape me into the person I am today. In this position, I want to help elevate the community’s digital skills and uplift their voices in our efforts to achieve digital equity.”
Walter is a digital navigator at BridgingApps; he has a B.S. in Agricultural Leadership and Development with an emphasis in technology implementation and change management from Texas A&M University, a Masters in Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and a Doctorate in Ministry from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Walter is an Army Veteran who served three tours in Iraq and after medically retiring from active duty went to seminary to become a pastor serving rural communities. As such, he has a passion for building communities and helping people transform the way they interact with the world. Walter is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and helping people acquire much needed technology and digital literacy especially working with Veterans, the elderly, and those who just struggle with technology.
Steve is very familiar with the connectivity struggles in the Northwoods. He grew up in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and is now raising a family in Forest County. When he’s not effortlessly troubleshooting devices or patiently teaching digital skills, he’s playing his favorite games with his wife and two kids.
Abby Russell (she/her) grew up in Southeastern Ohio and attended the University of Cincinnati. She is passionate about working in the community she grew up in and bringing digital inclusivity and digital skills to the area. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children, traveling and a good iced coffee.
Abe moved to Hoopa from Orange County, CA with his family at two years old and has been a lifetime community member ever since. Abe has attended chef school, then went on to the Police Academy, Arson Investigations, Probation Academy and Tribal Court work. Before his current role, Abe was part of the command staff on the Incident Management Team for the Hoopa Tribes COVID-19 Pandemic Response Team as the Safety Officer for three years. In his current role, Abe is still able to support his community and its members through digital skills training, and education with a focus on the elders of the community. His hobbies include riding his Harley-Davidson, barbecue, BBQ competition, and catering, and Abe has designed and built a custom smoker.
Jordan was born and raised in the Pueblo of Jemez. As a fluent Towa speaker, Jordan is easily approachable by community members. He assists in home internet installations, setting up of smart devices in client’s homes. He also teaches digital skills courses both in Towa and English. Currently there are several different projects he is hoping to deploy as digital navigator, such as creating digital media and how-to videos in the Towa language. Also working on community events to provide ACP outreach and recruit for upcoming skills courses.
Rachel was born in Germany, raised in North Carolina, and has spent her adult years in New Hampshire and Maine raising her family and working in education and human services. She is now putting down roots in Downeast by working on her 19th century cape and building a new garden in Eastport. She loves cooking and preserving the bounty from her garden (and food projects in general!), making connections in her community, and growing and putting to work her skills in coding and energy efficiency technologies.
Marci first came in contact with the National Digital Equity Center through our tablet hotspot program that helped connect people to the internet in areas where there is limited coverage. “Isolation and loneliness have been a pandemic in rural Maine long before Covid-19,” says Marci. Now a Digital Skills Instructor and the ACP Outreach Manager, Marci teaches a variety of classes as well as consistently keeping our classes and training material surrounding the FCC Affordable Connectivity Program up to date. As a Washington County Digital Navigator, she teaches and provides one-on-one assistance in helping families apply for the FCC Affordable Connectivity Program.
Mark is a recently retired management professional with thirty-eight plus years of progressive experience in the telecommunications and service provider industry. Mark and his wife moved to Texas from Wisconsin after retirement in 2021 to be closer to their grandchildren. They have been married for 40 years, have two daughters, and four grandchildren; three granddaughters and one grandson. Their ages range from four years to two years old. Mark enjoys spending time with the grand-kids, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing and basically anything that has to do with the outdoors.
Ashley holds a BA in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education from Morehead State University and an Interactive Digital Media Design from Eastern Gateway College. Recently, Ashley worked as an educator, case manager, and developmental interventionist. She utilizes this experience to work closely with communities across Appalachia Kentucky offering vital digital skills, internet access, and digital knowledge. Through her efforts, more individuals struggling with economic mobility will know how to leverage the internet in a way that leads to improved economic and educational outcomes. In turn, more distressed communities will have the chance to grow and prosper.
Shannon joined the WSU Grays Harbor Extension’s team in February of 2024. She is committed to the hands-on work in bringing digital equity and inclusion to her area in Washington state. Her upbringing in rural and indigenous communities—from northern Vermont to the Alaskan tundra and the Four Corners area of Utah— instilled in her a passion for service and advocacy that drives her work today. She has a background in education and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology. In her free time, she and her partner can be found enjoying all the outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Stand with NDIA in the fight for digital equity.
Across the country, older adults are struggling as they attempt to navigate telehealth appointments. Parents without affordable home internet options are seeing their children fall behind in school. Adult job seekers without digital skills are having difficulty competing in the online job market.
Stand with NDIA as we work to protect the essential investments that would advance digital access, skills, and opportunities for people and communities nationwide.