Founder's Story: Meet Katrina
How did Devices come together? What prompted you to join the founding team?
As schools began to shut their doors and transition to remote learning, I wondered how this would change our education system. I began to rabbit-hole down terrifying statistics surrounding lack of access students had to digital learning at home. I’ve tutored students for over ten years, with one of my most fulfilling life moments teaching a five-year-old refugee the alphabet. I felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety - she likely is one of the many students with her learning impacted. I began talking to friends in the education space and realized this has been a growing problem much larger than Covid, and joined Tom, Jay, and Chris to mobilize and make a difference.
How did the team and roles evolve?
I jumped in to build web development and design, content, and social strategy. The first weekend was spent designing our website, building our press kit, and thinking through our presence in the space. How can I project the mission and vision that our team has created? How do I convey the urgency of deserving students, while also showcasing this is a much bigger issue that we have the opportunity to solve? I’ve continued in this arena, working with the press, owning our creative, copy, and marketing strategy, hoping we can create a movement that can change lives.
Why is education important to you?
My dad grew up in poverty in Cyprus and education enabled him to change the trajectory of his life. He always reminded me that education is essential and should never be taken for granted; it’s the key that opens doors to a world of opportunities, giving us the skills needed to realize our dreams.
What has been the most exciting part of the project for you personally so far?
It’s been absolutely incredible to see how many people have leaned in to this mission. In such a crazy time, I have seen the best in people coming together and uniting to provide tools needed to give these students access to remote learning. We get the most heartwarming notes from mothers, fathers, students, and teachers about how this is changing their life and making them breathe easier in a time of such distress; I couldn’t ask for anything more rewarding.
What is something we wouldn’t know about you?
I get an unreasonable amount of joy watching my plants grow - my current endeavor is planting a vegetable garden in our backyard! I love being outside and two bucket list items are visiting every National Park in the US and hiking every 14er in Colorado.
