The Congressional Future Caucus, joining forces with the Diversifying Technology Caucus, convened a congressional briefing on Tuesday, November 15th, to discuss the challenges facing transitioning service members and veterans in accessing careers in the technology sector. The briefing explored actions government and the private sector can take to advance opportunities for veterans looking to enter the tech sector, as well as how to better facilitate innovative technology education opportunities. The Millennial Action Project (MAP) hosted the briefing in partnership with Engine, TwinLogic Strategies, and Amazon Web Services.
The briefing featured opinion remarks in support of the conversation by Congressional Future Caucus Members Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) and Joe Kennedy (D-MA), and from Diversifying Tech Caucus member Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA).
The briefing also included a panel conversation moderated by MAP President Steven Olikara, featuring:
- David Molina, Founder & Executive Director of OperationCode, a veteran-led organization "on a mission to get active military, citizen-soldiers, veterans and their families coding and building software to change the world."
- Curtis L. Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Ardine Williams, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Amazon Web Services.
- Evan Engstrom, Executive Director of Engine.