by Karla Monterroso, CEO, Code2040
It is not new news to you how incredible of a leader Laura is. Laura brought me here in 2014 to help her execute her vision for Code2040. A bold vision that I’m proud to say has gotten us to where we are today.
But Laura wasn’t just a CEO to me. Laura gave me the opportunity to be led by a woman of color in the CEO seat. It was transformative for the organization and it was transformative for me. I got to watch a woman of color walk into every room not only like she was entitled to be there but that she was going to demand space for more of us to take a seat at the table. This confidence and commitment to community inspired me each day I showed up for work and I’m so grateful for what Laura has personally given this organization and me.
And as I take lessons on leadership from Laura, I take lessons on leadership from you.
Over my time at Code2040 I have seen miracles. I’ve watched community members rally to the financial aid of a fellow. I’ve seen male community members rally to the defense and advocacy of their female and gender non-binary counterparts. I’ve watched brave young women in our community demand to be treated as equals.
I’ve watched companies restructure their entire interview processes to be more equitable. I’ve watched companies take decisive action due to student feedback. I’ve watched companies put their legal resources side by side with DREAMers. I’ve watched an alum of the organization demand a strategy to move Code2040 Fellows from temporary hires to permanent ones. I’ve watched members of our community enter class action lawsuits to hold companies wielding abusive power accountable.
I’ve watched young community members tell the senior leaders of their companies that Black Lives Matter and they weren’t doing enough to honor that. I’ve watched community members offer to do whatever they could to protect our DACA community members. I’ve watched staff members go to bat with company after company to create space for all of us. and I’ve watched many community members launch companies and nonprofits in the name of innovation and equity.
I’ve watched YOU make miracles.
I’m taking these lessons and moving forward with some bold plans; coalition building and talent development are top priorities for us this year as we expand into new geographies, launch new programming, share your stories, and grow our community.
The path in front of us is not an easy one and we are far from the days of weekly headlines holding our industry accountable for its lack of inclusion. So we have to coalition build and love on each other and fight for our right to innovate and architect the next economy. But again, I’ve watched YOU make miracles and I believe I will watch you make them again.
It is a bigger honor than I can express to step into the role of CEO with this brilliant community of people. I can’t wait to see the many ways all of us kick butt together and commit to the deep work of creating justice.
