|
A Continued Commitment to Service and Support
As we celebrate National Veterans and Military Families Month this November and recently honored the bravery of our men and women who served during Veterans Day, NPower remains steadfast in its mission to serve and uplift veterans and military families. This month, and every month, we are reminded of the unique challenges military-connected individuals face—both during their service and as they transition to civilian life.
At NPower, we are committed to recognizing, supporting, and empowering veterans and active-duty service members every day. We continue to see the immense value that military experience brings to the workforce—traits like leadership, resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving, which are critical in the fast-evolving world of technology.
In addition to honoring our military-connected communities this month, we are proud to recognize National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (November 17-23). This week highlights the importance of apprenticeship programs in creating pathways to meaningful careers, and NPower’s apprenticeship program continues to break down barriers and create opportunities for veterans in the tech industry. In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week, I recently had the opportunity to highlight the vital role paid apprenticeships play in filling talent gaps in tech and other sectors, and how they provide individuals with pathways to great-paying jobs on Bloomberg Businessweek Live—listen to the podcast segment here (starts at 15:04)
This month, we are excited to highlight the achievements of Jonathan Pride, U.S. Army veteran and Vice President of Field Operations at NPower, alongside our spotlight on Michael Fugett, a U.S. Army and Air Force veteran, NPower Texas graduate, and Vice President at Citi.
Thank you to everyone who supports NPower’s mission. Together, we are not just helping veterans find jobs; we are helping them build careers that honor their service, strengthen their families, and enrich our communities.
|
|
Bertina Ceccarelli
NPower CEO
|
|
Michael Fugett
U.S. Army and Air Force Veteran
NPower Texas Graduate
Vice President, Citi
|
|
|
|
This month, we celebrate Michael Fugett, a U.S. Army and Air Force veteran, who has transformed his life through tech. Navigating homelessness while job searching, Michael embodies the personal resolve, grit, and determination that NPower graduates, especially military-connected individuals, possess.
“NPower actually cares about each individual.”
|
|
|
|
Watch Michael’s inspiring story and learn more about his journey.
|
|
|
Even with the uncertainty of being able to thrive and succeed in the program, Michael persevered, with his family as his main motivation. Now as a Vice President at Citi, Michael and his family are creating the life of their dreams. And he continues to share his journey to encourage others to transform their lives through tech!
We’re grateful to Michael and all our veterans who continue to make a difference within their communities. Thank you, Michael, for your service!
|
|
|
Obama Foundation Spotlight
Thrilled Jonathan Pride was recently recognized by the Obama Foundation as an 2024-25 Obama Foundation United States Leader for his service and his commitment to creating opportunities for economic mobility for our military-connected community.
|
|
|
Working Nation Feature
As we recently honored the sacrifice and service of military veterans during Veterans Day and continue to honor military spouses and military-connected families during National Veterans and Military Families Month, we are excited to share Working Nation’s recent feature on Jonathan Pride, U.S. Army veteran and Vice President of Field Operations who shared his personal journey of transition from active military service to civilian employment.
“Transitioning to civilian life can be a complex journey, but I am proud to help spearhead our work with military-connected individuals at NPower and help veterans navigate this path with invaluable resources and training in technology,” said Pride
Thank you, Jonathan and the NPower veteran and military-connected community of staff members, graduates, and students for your service and sacrifice!
Learn more about the work being done to support our military-connected community within NPower and beyond.
|
|
|
Docusign’s "Transitioning to your Best:
No Hero Left Behind" Panel Discussion
Kendra Rice Parlock, NPower’s Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, recently shared the virtual stage to share her insights on building partnerships to support the military community through her role as an NPower executive and a Fort Meade Alliance board member. This important conversation included voices from other leaders that have served our country and continue to champion veterans transitioning from the military.
|
|
TRANSFORMATIONAL SUPPORTERS
|
|
Bridging the Gap: From the Military to the Tech Industry
Grateful for partners like Globant who are committed to supporting NPower as we support seamless transitions for military-connected graduates into civilian careers. Globant shared the impact of their support through the journey of Justin Brown, a U.S. Army veteran who transformed his decade of military experience into a successful career in technology with his own IT consulting firm.
Thank you, Justin, for your service!
|
|
|
|
Thank you to Zendesk. Their support enables us to make strides in closing the digital divide in communities that often lack access and positively impacts our work within communities in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Dallas.
|
|
|
|
NETSCOUT continues to be a 360-degree engaged partner from providing employment opportunities for our graduates, to dedicated volunteerism, and serving as a champion of advancing women in tech as part of the Command Shift Coalition.
|
|
|
|
A special thank you to US Bank for their support of our NPower California programming. Their commitment to strengthening local communities and championing for financial wellness is evident in their investment in NPower’s work.
|
|
|
|
It's been a busy month at NPower, view all the exciting engagements and activity happening across the country.
|
|
NPOWER SKILLBRIDGE CYBERSECURITY GRADUATION
|
|
NPower is excited to celebrate our Fall 2024 cohort of military service members graduating from the NPower SkillBridge Cybersecurity program in partnership with the United States Department of Defense. This program equips veterans with cybersecurity skills, certifications, career training, and resume-building support, thereby creating opportunities for seamless transitions to civilian careers.
As our distinguished speaker, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears of Virginia said, programs like NPower SkillBridge help active-duty service members and military veterans "assess, adapt, and overcome."
Congratulations to all the graduates! The impact of the NPower SkillBridge program has been incredible!
|
|
|
NPower and Command Shift Release the Equation for Equality Index 2024
|
|
|
NPower and Command Shift are excited to announce the release of the Equation for Equality Index 2024, an important update to the groundbreaking research developed by NPower and Lightcast. This year’s Index sheds light on key trends affecting women in tech, including a significant milestone: underrepresented women of color now make up more than 6.5% of the tech workforce—marking the first time this has occurred.
The 2024 Index also introduces regional profiles for Atlanta, Dallas, D.C., and New York—critical cities where NPower is currently running its transformative Path2TECH program. This data was featured at the AnitaB.org 2024 Grace Hopper Celebration, where Candice Dixon, Executive Director of the Command Shift Coalition had the privilege of presenting during the panel, From Data to Action: Activating Diversity in Tech for Lasting Equity.
While the Equation for Equality Index highlights meaningful progress, it also reveals key opportunities for creating clear pathways for women to enter and thrive in tech. At NPower, we are leveraging this data to inform and shape initiatives like the Diversity Directive and our Path2TECH program—both designed to equip women with the skills needed to excel in the tech industry.
Read the full Equation for Equality Index 2024 to learn more about these vital trends and discover how you can help drive meaningful change for women in tech.
|
|
|
Stay Updated with Command Shift’s Impact on Advancing Women in Tech
We’re thrilled to share all the incredible work the Command Shift Coalition is doing to create lasting change for women in tech. To stay updated on their progress and learn how they’re driving momentum for inclusion, read the latest update from Candice L. Dixon, Executive Director, Command Shift on the initiatives for 2025.
Read the full update here and get inspired by the strides Command Shift is making toward advancing women in the tech industry.
|
|
STATE OF NPOWER
SAVE THE DATE
|
|
|
Join Us for the 2024 State of NPower Webinar: Empowering Digital Careers for Underrepresented Communities
Please join us for the annual State of NPower webinar on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 1:00 PM (EST). This event will provide an insightful update on NPower’s progress and highlight the exciting initiatives we have planned for the future. As part of our mission to create pathways to economic prosperity, we continue to launch digital careers for military veterans, women, and young adults from underrepresented communities. This webinar is a great opportunity to learn about the impact NPower has made and the steps we are taking to drive lasting change in the lives of our participants. We look forward to having you with us for this important update!
|
|
|
3 Reasons to Mentor with NPowerMATCH Before the Holidays
As the holiday season approaches, it’s a time to reflect on the year and consider how we can give back. Becoming a mentor is one of the most impactful ways to make a difference. Whether you’re an experienced professional or someone eager to help others succeed, mentoring offers meaningful rewards. Here are three reasons why you should consider mentoring with NPowerMATCH:
1. Empower Future Leaders
Your knowledge and experience can help shape the next generation of tech professionals. By mentoring, you provide guidance and support to NPower students and alumni, equipping them with the tools they need to succeed in their careers.
2. Expand Your Network
Mentoring offers an opportunity to connect with new people and perspectives. You’ll build valuable relationships not only with your mentee but also with other like-minded professionals who are passionate about learning and giving back.
3. Experience Personal Fulfillment
The holiday season is about giving, and there’s no greater gift than helping someone achieve their career goals. Watching your mentee grow and succeed is an incredibly rewarding experience that will leave you with a sense of fulfillment as you close out the year.
This holiday season, consider giving back in a way that makes a lasting impact. If you’re ready to make a difference and help shape someone’s future, apply to become a mentor today: NPowerMATCH | NPower
|
|
|
A Night of Inspiration, Connection,
and Possibility
|
|
The 2024 NPower Gala was an unforgettable evening filled with energy, excitement, and a shared commitment to transforming the future of tech. As NPower CEO Bertina Ceccarelli so beautifully put it, the night was defined by "inspiration, love, optimism, aspiration, and awe." It was a celebration of the incredible progress we’ve made and the incredible people who are helping us get there.
We are deeply grateful to Antonio Neri, President & CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, for joining us at the Gala and sharing his invaluable insights during the Fireside Chat. His thoughts on leadership, innovation, and the future of technology were truly inspiring, offering a powerful vision of the possibilities for the next generation of tech leaders. Thank you, Antonio, for being a part of this special evening and for your continued support of NPower's mission.
|
|
We were also honored to hear from Landen Manuel, a graduate of NPower’s Tech Fundamentals and Cybersecurity programs, who delivered a heartfelt speech as our Gala 2024 Alumni Speaker. Landen shared his remarkable journey from a non-technical background to securing a cybersecurity internship with Hitachi Vantara, just one week after completing his classes. Reflecting on his transformation, Landen said,
"NPower changed my life. The community, mentorship, and certifications were life-changing, and I’m now thriving in tech thanks to NPower."
|
|
|
The evening was filled with inspiring stories, shared commitment, and an undeniable energy in the room. Relive the unforgettable moments, watch the full speeches, and explore photos of the event in the full Gala recap.
|
|
|
|
