Private Tech for Public Good

#sxsw #publicgood

It is fairly obvious by now that technology advances have changed the world. But occasionally, it comes into question whether that change has been for good or bad. Often, the innovation coming out of Silicon Valley has been about creating a consumer good rather than a public good. This panel will discuss what is needed from the technology community in order to improve democracy and really make the world a better place. It will look at examples of new companies and technology working toward creating public goods, not just private technology.

Presenters

Ben Coffey Clark

Partner

Bully Pulpit Interactive

Ben Coffey Clark is responsible for client services, new business and relies on a broad digital background to help clients online. Ben led BPI during a grueling two year campaign cycle and he helped defeat Proposition 32 and led the largest digital spend in California, among other things. Over the past decade, Ben has worked as a political operative, consultant and journalist. Ben is a veteran of several political campaigns. He served as a Get Out The Vote coordinator for southeastern Ohio for President Obama's 2008 campaign and got his start in Iowa working for Howard Dean in the 2004 primary. He spent the remainder of the cycle with the Running for Change Political Action Committee, a Web-based grassroots PAC that raised over a million dollars on behalf of John Kerry. Since then, he has played a role in several high profile campaigns including Rahm Emanuel's recent mayoral campaign. Prior to Bully Pulpit Interactive he worked in Fleishman-Hillard's Washington, D.C., office where he was Co-Chair of the Global Public Affairs Group and ran award-winning issue advocacy campaigns, most notably for PR week's 2010 Public Affairs Campaign of the Year. Ben also pioneered a digital public affairs practice for The Harbour Group, a K street crisis communications firm. A former political reporter in Rhode Island, Ben was the first editorial director for the Washingtonian magazine's website and successfully re-branded the online publication.

Reshma Saujani

Founder & CEO

Girls Who Code

Reshma Saujani is the Founder and CEO of Girls Who Code, a national non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and prepare young women for jobs of the future.

In her groundbreaking new book, "Women Who Don't Wait in Line," Reshma advocates for a new model of female leadership focused on embracing risk and failure, promoting mentorship and sponsorship, and boldly charting your own course -- personally and professionally.

After years of working as an attorney and supporting the Democratic party as an activist and fundraiser, Reshma left her private sector career behind and surged onto the political scene as the first Indian American woman in the country to run for US Congress.

Following the highly publicized race, Reshma stayed true to her passion for public service, becoming Deputy Public Advocate of New York City and most recently running a spirited campaign for Public Advocate on a platform of creating educational and economic opportunities for women and girls, immigrants, and those who have been sidelined in the political process.

A true political entrepreneur, Reshma has been fearless in her efforts to disrupt both politics and technology to create positive change.

Reshma is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and Yale Law School. She has recently been named one of Forbes' Most Powerful Women Changing the World, Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People, Ad Age's Creativity 50, Business Insider's 50 Women Who Are Changing the World, City & State's Rising Stars, and an AOL/PBS Next MAKER.