LOFT Coder Summit @ Stanford University: May 6!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contacts:
Cynthia Pleitez. 909.730-2077
cynthia@hispanicheritage.org
Isla Martinez. 626.814.5006
isla@hispanicheritage.org

HISPANIC HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND INFOSYS FOUNDATION USA HOST LATINOS ON FAST TRACK (LOFT) CODER SUMMIT AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Hundreds of Latino/a Programmers —students, professionals and entrepreneurs are expected for a day of workshops, presentations and networking

PALO ALTO, CA (April 21, 2017) — The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and Infosys Foundation USA will host the 3^rd Annual Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) Coder Summit at Stanford University on Saturday, May 6^th, from 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.  Hundreds of Latinx programmers – students majoring in computer programming and tech professionals – are registered to attend the Summit, which will feature back-to-back workshops, discussions, and opportunities to expand networks as well as explore career opportunities. Follow Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Facebook and Twitter, and get involved by using the hashtag #LOFTCoders.

“We are thrilled to partner with Infosys Foundation USA to identify, prepare and connect Latino programmers,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “We are at the intersection of a nation in need of tech workers and talent-rich Latino community – we want to shatter stereotypes and redefine the landscape of computer technology in Silicon Valley and across America while building a stronger community of innovators.”

The LOFT Coder Summits (LCS) are part of HHF’s larger Code as a Second Language (CSL) national initiative which includes LCS’s in seven major cities as well as HHF teaching computer coding to middle and high schools in over 20 regions across the country.  HHF also connects Latino programmers through the LOFT Network for mentoring, sharing ideas and accessing resources to move forward in the tech space.  LCS feed a “tech ecosystem” to fill the tech gap in America’s workforce.

“The future is being written in code. Infosys Foundation USA is committed to supporting learning events such as the LOFT Coder Summit at Stanford to emphasize diversity in tech jobs and to encourage more young people to consider careers in computing. We are proud to partner with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation for the second year in a row to further strengthen the Latinx technology community,” said Vandana Sikka, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation USA.

By mobilizing Latino/a coders, programmers, hackers, developers and computer scientists for the free, one-day event in a series of panels and breakout workshop sessions with top Latino leaders, HHF and Infosys Foundation USA are spearheading national change.  The Summit’s workshops will provide inspiration, connect coders and provide tools needed to not only consume but create in an increasingly digital future.

The LOFT Coder Summit as part of the CSL initiative includes the development and mobilization of a network of Latino software engineers ready to introduce computer programming to under-represented students across the country. Over the last 3 years we have proved that our community provides a value proposition to the United States by bringing together developers from across the nation, both students and professionals alike to celebrate Latino culture, innovation and passion for computer programming.

AGENDA

8:00 am – 9:00 am​ Continental Breakfast and Registration
9:00 am – 9:15 am​ Welcome Remarks – ​Vandana Sikka​, Chairperson of The Infosys Foundation
9:15 am – 9:30 am​ Keynote Speaker – Cynthia Maxwell​, Director of iOS Engineering at Slack
9:30 am – 10:45 am​ Workshop Session #1 – Entrepreneurship – Level Up!: Boosting Your Tech Career XP Product Management – Breaking Through the Product Manager Interview –
10:45 am – 11:05 am​ Networking Break 11:05 am – 11: 20 am​
Featured Speaker – Richie Serna​, Co-Founder & CEO at Finx Payments
11:20 am – 12:35 pm​ Workshop Session #2 Tools for Taking Action: Design Thinking 101 – Level Up!: Boosting Your Tech Career XP
Product Management
– Breaking Through the Product Manager InterviewManagement – Breaking Through the Product Manager Interview
12:35 pm – 1:35 pm​ Lunch
1:35 pm – 1:50 pm​ Featured Speaker – Gracie Arenas​, Senior Technical Artist at Electronic Arts (EA)
1:50 pm – 2:15 pm​ Networking Break
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm​ Start – up Pitch
3:15 pm – 3:30 pm​ Featured Speaker – Abdul Razack​, Executive Vice-President & Head of Platforms at Infosys
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Closing Discussion
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Open Time for Networking

ABOUT HHF

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit which inspires, prepares and connects Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities with an emphasis on tech, entrepreneurship and all the STEM fields. HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles with satellite offices in Silicon Valley, Miami, New York, and now Mexico City. Learn more at www.HispanicHeritage.org.

ABOUT INFOSYS FOUNDATION USA

Infosys Foundation USA is focused on bridging the digital divide in America by supporting high quality computer science education and coding skills with a particular focus on underrepresented communities. It aims to give children and young adults the skills they need to become creators, not just consumers, of technology. In pursuit of this mission, the Foundation has partnered with internationally acclaimed non-profits and institutions like Code.org, New York Academy of Sciences, DonorsChoose.org, and the CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon University. In addition, Infosys Foundation USA committed a million dollars to the Infy Maker Awards to inspire makers across the U.S. to demonstrate creative excellence in making projects with genuine impact. Learn more at http://www.infosys.org/usa/ follow on Twitter @InfyFoundation or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InfosysFoundationUSA

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