| Tech Foundry has kicked off 2026 with a new strategic plan. Focusing on growth of impact through new and expanded programs, our 3-year vision capitalizes upon the enthusiasm and commitment of our staff, board, volunteers and supporters – as well as the momentum of 2025. Our team is thrilled to share some of the news and updates with you. |
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| New Curriculum
One of Tech Foundry’s strategic goals has been to expand our training offerings. Through our Tech Bridge program for young adults from local Gateway Cities, we have implemented new audio-visual tech training as well as low-voltage electrical curriculum. Students have had the opportunity to explore these topics through classes, hands-on work and field trips. Check out this profile to learn more. |
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| | Tech Launch Spring 2026 Orientation and Fall 2025 Graduation
Tech Foundry’s Tech Launch graduated its Fall 2025 Cohort on Tuesday, January 13th at the Community Music School of Springfield. Speakers included Tech Foundry’s CEO, Tricia Canavan and Springfield City Councilman Jose Delgado, who gave the keynote address. |
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| | In addition, Tech Foundry welcomed its newest cohort of Tech Launch students at orientation on February 2nd and 4th. This will mark Tech Foundry’s 12th year running the award-winning IT workforce program. |
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| Tech Foundry is honored and humbled to announce that we were awarded $2.35 million in funding over 4 years from The Ceres Foundation – the largest award in our history. While some of the funding will catalyze the goals of our new strategic plan through operational support, the majority of the grant money will be used to enhance the organization’s data systems and fund stipends for alumni and students of Tech Foundry’s IT workforce training program, which was recently renamed Tech Launch.
Through this program, students and alumni in good standing from the 2023-2029 cohorts will be eligible for stipends based on program and milestone completion. If you would like more information, please email info@thetechfoundry.org. |
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| Through the generosity of our individual and corporate donors, we had an incredibly successful end-of-year fundraising campaign. When we launched our “Western Mass Forward” campaign, we set an ambitious goal to raise $50,000 to sustain our life-changing work. We didn’t just meet that goal—we shattered it. |
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| Thanks to you, we are now able to open Tech Hub Holyoke for 3 days per week with 3 staff members (up from 6 hours a week supported by 1 staff person), and resume serving people throughout our Western Mass community, building an inclusive future where economic opportunities are accessible to everyone. |
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| Thanks to our generous community of supporters and new community partnerships, Tech Hub Holyoke is now open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10am-3pm.
Tech Hub Springfield Hours remain the same.
For more information, please visit: https://www.thetechfoundry.org/tech-hub |
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| Tech Foundry welcomed eight new members to their Board of Trustees in January and elected four new officers. Hailing from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, the new slate of directors represents the diversity of the communities served by Tech Foundry.
The organization appointed Paul Nicholson, Retired Finance Director at Wellfleet Insurance as Board Chair. Dr. George Timmons, President of Holyoke Community College, was elected as First Vice Chair. Jay Ash, CEO of Mass Competitive Partnership was named Second Vice Chair. Xiaolei Hua, Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer at Florence Bank will serve as Treasurer and Cindy Knowles, Strategy & Change Management at MassMutual will serve as Clerk.
New board members include Charles Gray, Head of MMFA Strategic Partnerships and Growth Market Opportunities at MassMutual; Bridget Haley, Cyber Security Portfolio Manager at Aon; Johannah Huynh, Attorney at Bulkley Richardson & Gelinas; Denise Jordan, Executive Director at Springfield Housing Authority; Chris Misra, Vice Chancellor & Chief Information Officer at University of Massachusetts Amherst; Joe Monroy, Chief Information Officer at PeoplesBank; Matt Nash, Partner at Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. and Maurice Powe, Attorney at The Law, Office of Maurice C. Powe, Esq.. |
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| Tech Bridge, Tech Foundry’s newest program designed to serve opportunity youth in Western MA’s gateway cities is actively recruiting for its 2026-2027 class, which will begin in August 2026.
Through career readiness, college preparation, credentialing, and coaching, Tech Bridge equips young adults for immediate employment, college and long-term economic mobility.
To learn more and apply, please visit: https://www.thetechfoundry.org/tech-bridge |
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| Tech Foundry is thrilled to welcome Dr. Quiana S. Campbell to the team. Quiana is serving as the organization’s new Business and Data Analyst Manager where she will be responsible for overseeing data-intensive projects, data tracking, aggregation, evaluation, reporting (grants, dashboards, narratives) and continuous improvement efforts. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Quiana’s background includes IT, business process and data consulting. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, a Master of Science in Information Systems Management, a Doctorate of Business Administration and Strategic Management, and a DocuWare System Consultant (DSC) certification. |
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| Congratulations to Floyd Zamarripa, who has been promoted to Career Services Manager. Floyd has gone above and beyond to offer additional training and hands-on skills reinforcement to students and alumni prior to job interviews, in addition to the other pre-interview prep (and post interview support) he provides. |
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