NDIA Team

15 people surround a unicorn balloon. They are all pointing toward the unicorn and smiling
Paolo Balboa (he/him)

Paolo Balboa (he/him)

Senior Programs Manager

Paolo joined the NDIA team in summer 2020. He began his career in public library education and outreach in 2013, first in Cleveland and most recently at the New York Public Library. He has worked with the Mozilla Foundation and a cohort of practitioners and advocates to develop a Web literacy toolkit, and he has served as a panelist at the American Library Association Annual Conference to discuss digital literacy. He received his master’s in library and information science with an emphasis on data visualization and user experience from the Pratt Institute. He is an advocate for access equity in a variety of spheres, including transportation, housing, and of course, broadband. He lives in Brooklyn with his houseplants.

Valeria Ceballos Jáuregui (she/her/ella)

Valeria Ceballos Jáuregui (she/her/ella)

Policy Associate

Valeria joined NDIA in October 2022. She has over 12 years of experience with nonprofits. She has worked on various initiatives, from health, education, and human rights to immigration and food security. She is a community leader who advocates for the accessibility of resources, equity, and inclusion across policymaking. With past lived experience, Valeria, a DACA recipient, is passionate about advancing policy that honors the voices of those often voiceless in our society. Valeria earned her bachelor’s in anthropology and labor studies at UCLA and her master’s in public policy with a global processes and institutions certification from Luskin, UCLA. She is honored to contribute to ethical and conscious policymaking in the fast-moving world of technology. Valeria enjoys spending time with her family, hosting gatherings of friends, and traveling.

Ryan Collins (he/him)

Ryan Collins (he/him)

Policy Manager

Ryan joined NDIA in 2023. He is from Appalachian Ohio and is passionate about ensuring equity for all through advocacy and public policy. Ryan has always identified as a helper and focused his career on serving others in both the public and private sectors. Before joining NDIA, Ryan worked with Buckeye Hills Regional Council as a broadband coordinator and then as a program manager, where he led Ohio’s Southeast Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance, founded the Buckeye Hills Regional Council’s Broadband Committee, and worked to bridge the digital divide in Ohio’s Appalachian Region. In his free time, Ryan enjoys reading, playing Dungeons and Dragons, hiking, and spending time with his cat children, Midna and Saturn.

Gina D. Cooper Benjamin (she/her)

Gina D. Cooper Benjamin (she/her)

Deputy Director

Gina joined NDIA in 2021. She uses technology and data for social good. She has spent almost 20 years working in under-resourced communities and with under-served populations to close education and housing gaps. Gina serves on two boards working towards equity, inclusion, and belonging outcomes. She’s passionate about introducing Black and Brown youth to technology and coding programs. She created a “Hacking IT” where she teaches teenage girls to get loud, get political, and get tech-ing. Before completing her master of public policy from Tufts University’s Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning Program as a Neighborhood Fellow, Gina graduated from Wellesley College as a Davis Scholar and then earned a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.

Shauna Edson (she/her)

Shauna Edson (she/her)

Senior Policy Manager

Shauna joined NDIA in fall 2023, though she started in the digital inclusion field as a student working in community literacy in 2015. She saw her experiences in the digital divide mirrored in community members she worked with, which led her to pursue her career in digital equity. Shauna’s experiences span from direct service to grassroots collaborations across sectors with a focus on locally-tailored solutions. Before NDIA, Shauna was the technology and digital equity manager for the community engagement and public service teams at Salt Lake City Public Library. She worked on addressing digital inequities for staff and external projects to support community members. Shauna earned her master’s in communication with an emphasis on digital literacies and her bachelor of science degree, with honors, in writing and rhetoric studies. She lives in Salt Lake City with her family and often roams the foothills in her backyard with her dog and partner.

Amy Huffman (she/her)

Amy Huffman (she/her)

Policy Director

Amy joined NDIA in 2021. She is a public servant, systems thinker, innovative policy expert and a storyteller with a passion for closing the digital divide and ensuring all Americans can thrive in the 21st century’s digital world. Amy has studied and worked in the digital inclusion field for 10 years. Prior to joining NDIA, Amy served as the State of North Carolina’s first digital inclusion and policy manager for the Broadband Infrastructure Office, a division of the Department of Information Technology. Amy’s interest in technology spans beyond broadband. For several years, she was a freelance writer and consultant, contributing to tech-focused publications where she covered North Carolina’s startup ecosystem. Amy holds a master’s degree in public administration and bachelor’s degree in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Katie Knox Mimoune (she/her)

Katie Knox Mimoune (she/her)

Data & Research Manager

Katie joined the NDIA team in October 2022. She is passionate about leveraging digital skills towards socially impactful work and making all forms of digital skills accessible to all. Prior to working full time at NDIA, she worked with NDIA, Penn Hill Group, National Skills Coalition, and Microsoft to create the Digital Equity Scorecard, providing a platform to compare US state digital equity plans. She also conducted and co-published research on gerrymandering in the State of Maine. Katie is a graduate of Swarthmore College with a bachelor’s in computer science and French and Francophone studies.

Caitlin Kvammen (she/her)

Caitlin Kvammen (she/her)

Operations Director

Caitlin joined the NDIA team in 2018. She started her work fighting social and environmental injustices in 2010 when she joined AmeriCorps NCCC. During that year, she completed humanity relief projects across the South, including fighting wildland fires. Since graduating from the program, Caitlin continued to work with nonprofits focusing on social issues while completing her degree in psychology and behavioral neuroscience at Ohio State University. Caitlin strives to utilize her management and nonprofit experience to continue her service by working to ensure all people have access to the jobs and knowledge provided by internet services.

Amanda Madden (she/her)

Amanda Madden (she/her)

Operations Manager

Amanda joined the NDIA team in March 2022. She has a passion for using her skills and experiences to offer the highest level of operational support possible. Her professional background includes both administrative and operational support roles and an educational background in psychology. Before NDIA, Amanda worked for an energy efficiency nonprofit, where she focused on coordination of residential programs, working with individuals experiencing poverty. In the past, Amanda also volunteered as a peer advocate for survivors of sexual assault. Working in the nonprofit sector helps Amanda pursue a passionate, community-minded career. Outside of work, Amanda tends to her large vegetable garden, corrals her herd of pets, and voraciously takes on crafting projects.

Miles Miller (he/him)

Miles Miller (he/him)

Program Associate

Miles joined NDIA in the winter of 2019. Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, he attended the University of Pretoria for his undergraduate and honor’s degrees. Upon graduation, Miles was accepted into the Master’s program of Public Policy and Urban Planning at the University of Delaware. Miles has worked for the US Department of State as a program coordinator for the US-Middle East Partnership and African Women’s Leadership initiatives, project manager for the Delaware Center for Community Research and Service, and policy analyst for the Arizona Department of Economic Security.

Pamela Rosales (she/her)

Pamela Rosales (she/her)

Training & Community Engagement Manager

Pamela joined the NDIA team in January 2022. For the previous five years, she worked for nonprofits focusing on ending gender-based violence. She managed multilingual advocacy programs, 24-hour crisis hotlines, and provided community prevention trainings on domestic and sexual violence while serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Through trainings, she educated advocates on AAPI history and activism. In her work with KAN-WIN’s “Comfort Women” Advocacy, she led the Global Action Day march in downtown Chicago to the Consulate-General of Japan in August 2021. Pamela graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in political science and a minor in sociology. When she’s not working, she’s either journaling, playing with her cat Ube, or exploring the midwest.

Christina Santiago (she/her)

Christina Santiago (she/her)

Executive Administrator

Christina joined the NDIA team in the summer 2023. Christina has over 12 years of experience in event management, executive administrative support, and project management in both nonprofit and private sectors. She also has experience in medical and retail management. Christina is passionate about using her career to serve organizations that create positive change in the community. You can find Christina reading and spending time with her family outside of work.
Aaron Schill (he/him)

Aaron Schill (he/him)

Director of Research & Programs

Aaron joined the NDIA team in January 2022. He is experienced at working with local leaders and elected officials to build consensus and develop place-based solutions to the most pressing community challenges. Throughout his career, Aaron has advocated for data and information access to empower communities to affect positive change. Prior to joining NDIA, Aaron was the director of data and mapping at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, where he headed the agency’s work in data analytics, visualization, and GIS. He also established the organization’s strategy and programming for broadband and digital inclusion and co-led the creation of the Franklin County Digital Equity Coalition. Aaron’s career experience includes working as an urban planner and research director primarily in public and nonprofit organizations. He is a two-time graduate of The Ohio State University, with a master’s degree in city and regional planning and a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Yvette Scorse (she/her)

Yvette Scorse (she/her)

Communications Director

Yvette joined the NDIA team in summer 2021. She became passionate about digital equity during her six years as the communications director of Byte Back, where she led the Washington, DC-based organization’s branding, thought leadership, and media strategy. Previously, she worked with an LGBTQ youth capacity-building organization and taught English in Madrid for five years while doing freelance journalism. Yvette earned her bachelor’s in journalism and Spanish, summa cum laude, from the University of Arkansas. An active advocate for digital and IRL equity, Yvette also volunteers as co-chair of the Rainbow Youth Alliance advisory council in Maryland. In 2020, Yvette was named a DC RealLIST Connector by Technical.ly DC, and she was awarded a 2021 Queer Women of Washington Award by the Washington Blade and the Mayor’s Office on Woman’s Policy and Initiatives.

Angela Siefer (she/her)

Angela Siefer (she/her)

Executive Director

Angela founded NDIA in 2015 and has been working in the field we now call digital inclusion since 1997. She has helped physically set up computer labs in underserved areas, managed broadband conferences, conducted research, managed digital inclusion programs, assisted with the Department of Commerce’s Broadband Adoption Toolkit, testified before Congress, and more. Angela serves on the Board of Directors of the Schools, Health, & Libraries Broadband Coalition. Government Technology Magazine named Angela to the Top 25 Doers, Dreams, and Drivers of 2019, and she received the Parker Award from the United Church of Christ in 2021. Google.org named Angela one of seven global Leaders to Watch in 2023. In 2024, Angela is serving on the Board of Directors of the FCC’s Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) representing the interests of low-income consumers.

See Angela’s full bio for speaking and other events.

Lo Smith (they/them)

Lo Smith (they/them)

Senior Programs Manager

Lo joined the NDIA team in January 2022. Their work in libraries in the greater Baltimore area led them to the field of digital equity, as they experienced the impacts of the digital divide in their own community. Prior to joining NDIA, they served as the coordinator of digital equity at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, where they also served as a technology exchange fellow in 2018. During their time with the Pratt library, Lo piloted a variety of outreach and community-based digital inclusion programming, as well as examining the ways unexpected barriers impacted digital access and literacy. Lo graduated from Simmons University with a master’s of library science in 2019. Offline, they can be found strengthening their fearlessness, teamwork, and communication skills in the partner acrobatics and circus community. 

Caroline Stratton (she/her)

Caroline Stratton (she/her)

Senior Research & Data Manager

Caroline joined the NDIA team in December 2023. Her experience in digital inclusion includes managing a digital literacy program in Austin, Texas, and conducting academic research about policies and practices to support the use of technology for social good. Her research publications address digital equity plans, broadband infrastructure investment, and information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D). Her research has been published in Government Information Quarterly, New Media & Society, and Information Technology for Development. She also uses research to advocate for policy solutions, with experience at the Federation of American Scientists’ Day One Project to develop affordable rural broadband policy. Caroline earned a doctorate from the School of Information at the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in nuclear and radiological engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She’s an avid basketball fan and home cook.

Tsion Tesfaye (she/her)

Tsion Tesfaye (she/her)

Senior Research & Policy Manager

Tsion joined the NDIA team in February 2022. She’s from Richmond, Virginia, and is enthusiastic about advocating for policies that ensure everyone can benefit from advancements in technology. Prior to joining NDIA, Tsion completed a fellowship with Public Knowledge, where she led research on diversity in technology policy and supported broadband advocacy efforts. She also worked in the Rural Health Care Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), where she learned about the broadband needs of healthcare systems in rural areas and supported outreach efforts to rural healthcare providers. Tsion earned her master’s in public policy and management and a bachelor’s degree in political science. In her downtime, she enjoys hiking and fun attempts at baking.

Abi Waldrupe (she/her)

Abi Waldrupe (she/her)

Senior Digital Navigator Manager

Abi Waldrupe joined NDIA in January 2022. She began work in digital inclusion at the start of her career in academic libraries, where she saw a correlation between digital inequities and academic success in first-year college students. At the State Library of North Carolina, in partnership with the NC Broadband Infrastructure Office, she shifted to digital inclusion work with public libraries and their community partners as she led the development of local and statewide digital inclusion programs. She earned her master’s in library science from Indiana University. Abi has been part of the NDIA community for years and is excited to continue working with NDIA affiliates and partners. 

Aviance Washington (she/her)

Aviance Washington (she/her)

Digital Marketing Coordinator

Aviance joined the NDIA team in winter 2024. She became inspired by the power of digital storytelling and grassroots innovation while freelancing in content and community. Drawn to the world of community-driven change after starting her career in publicity and lifestyle marketing, she produced content and events for online communities built to empower historically excluded groups. Prior to NDIA, she worked with purposeful leaders and small businesses to help them craft and share their stories. Aviance earned her bachelor’s in public relations from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism. Outside of work, you can find her learning about community care, sharing music, and overspending at local restaurants.

Vicky Yuki (she/her)

Vicky Yuki (she/her)

Senior Programs Manager

Vicky joined the NDIA team in fall 2021. With 21 years of experience working in nonprofit and government sectors, her passion is to improve human experiences and equity through collaborative, thoughtful process. After receiving her master’s degree from University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs, Vicky dove into the local public sector scene at the City of Seattle and Seattle Housing Authority. At the City of Seattle, she joined the Community Technology Team working on digital equity projects. Some of her proudest accomplishments have been starting the Special Technology Access & Resource (STAR Center) Center, working on the Tech Access & Adoption studies and managing the Technology Matching Fund. Vicky lives in Bellevue, Washington, across the “pond” from Seattle with her family. For free time, Vicky enjoys baking, casual gatherings and catching whatever sunlight makes it to her backyard.

Kristi Zappie-Ferradino (she/her)

Kristi Zappie-Ferradino (she/her)

Director of Programs and Initiatives

A passionate mission-driven leader, Kristi has focused her career in the nonprofit sector building and leveraging resources to advance positive social change in the areas of literacy, youth mentoring, civic engagement, and most recently, digital inclusion. She has extensive expertise leading the development of programs and resources designed to improve program efficiency and strengthen local impact. Most recently, she has consulted with nonprofits around strategic planning, technology project management, and digital inclusion. She served as program director at the Urban Libraries Council and led the launch of a system to help libraries and local governments work together to achieve community goals and narrow the digital divide.

NDIA Board of Directors

Leon Wilson, Chief of Digital Innovation & Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Foundation, NDIA Board Chair
Mikhail Sundust, Executive Director, Digital Connect Initiative, Gila River Indian Community, NDIA Vice Chair
Luke Swarthout, Chief of Staff, InnovateEDU, NDIA Board Secretary
Rebecca F. Kauma, Director of Digital Equity, County of Los Angeles, NDIA Board Treasurer
Laura Breeden, Digital Inclusion Advocate
Bruce Clark, Executive Director,  Center for Digital Equity at Queens University of Charlotte 
Parisa Fatehi, Senior Director of Social Impact Programs & Partnerships, Indeed.com
Juan Muro, Jr., Executive Director, Free Geek
Adie Tomer, Senior Fellow, Brookings Metro, The Brookings Institution