Cultivating the Next Generation of Creators
Design For Social Good
We jumpstart careers for Creatives of color to enter the design industry as leaders by educating them with hireable tech skills.
Creativity for growth and economic success.
Our Mission
To provide vital access, professional opportunity, and tech literacy to under-resourced students and job seekers of color.
Who We Help
To all job seekers aged 18+, including women of color (Black, Latino/a/x, Southeast Asian, Pacific Islanders), ESL / immigrant / DACA recipients, international students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, creatives with disabilities, military families, and veterans. We value the diversity and unique experiences each individual brings to our community.
Our Vision
To develop empathetic design leaders who will make a global difference.
What We Teach
- User Experience (UX) Design
- User Interface (UI) Design
- Product Design
- Visual & Business Design
- Design Thinking Methodology
- Tech & Digital Literacy
- Career Development
- Movement Building
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Augmented Reality (AR)
- Accessibility Design
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Oakland mindset since 2009
Priority Strategies
Digital Equity and Tech Inclusion
We believe that technological advancement should benefit society as a whole, not just a privileged segment of the population.
Inclusive Economic Mobility
We deliver the technical expertise, growth mindset, and professional resources required for students to secure meaningful lifelong work.
Creative Workforce Development
We provide project-based academic learning and industry design skills training to prepare diverse job seekers for career placement.
Racial and Social Justice
We amplify art and design for racial justice to inspire community, raise consciousness, and motivate Creatives to ignite social change.
Movement and Art Building
We inspire creativity, courage, and capacity to spark participation, development, and sustainability for communities of color.
Leadership & Team
Shaun Tai
Co-Founder & Executive Director, BRIDGEGOOD
Shaun Tai is a digital literacy pioneer and five-time 40-Under-40 award winner with a passion for improving tech opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and Designers of Color. For over 15 years, he has dedicated his career to empowering underrepresented communities.
Shaun holds a Master’s in Architectural & Urban Design and a BS in Advertising from SJSU. Prior to that, he graduated with honors from CSUEB with a BA in Digital Arts and was named “Distinguished Young Alumnus” for the 2014-15 academic year.
Shaun’s leadership to advance design for social good earned him a prestigious Jefferson Award in 2023. CBS News/KPIX recognized his contributions with one of five coveted Silver Medals. Previous to BRIDGEGOOD, Shaun has successfully founded four startups and social enterprises.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Daniel Bao
Bookkeeper, BRIDGEGOOD
Daniel Bao brings over three decades of invaluable experience in the nonprofit sector and community wellness.
Daniel’s journey includes pivotal roles in various organizations, marked by a profound commitment to social causes.
Since the inception of BRIDGEGOOD in July 2009, Daniel has been integral to its mission, collaborating closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Staff.
His dedication to advocating for LGBTQ rights is notable, supported by substantial contributions that have made a positive impact on the community.
Daniel earned a master’s degree in Latin American studies from Stanford University, deepening his understanding of the region’s cultural and social dynamics and empowering him to drive significant change.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Achuta Anekal
Intern, Q2/Q3 2024
Product Designer
Ahreum Yeung
Team Member, 2021 – Present
Program Ambassador
(Visual Designer)
Aisha Tai
Team Member, 2024 – Present
Program Ambassador
(Mediator)
Albert Chang
Team Member, 2022 – 2024
Program Advocate
(Engineer)
Alexsys Hornsby
Intern, Q1 2022
Researcher
Allison Bernstein
Board Member, 2014 – 2018
Google
Arlyn Elopre
Team Member, Q3 2022
Program Ambassador
(HS Internship Project Lead)
Becca Woo
Team Member, Q2/Q3 2024
Program Ambassador
(HS Internship Project Lead)
Brett Webb
Board Member, 2017 – 2024
Favorite Medium
Brodie Rich
Board President, 2022 – Present
Beyond
Brooklyn Valera
Team Member, 2022 – 2024
Design Lead
(BRIDGEGOOD Atlanta)
Camila Baum
Board Member, 2023 – Present
Alameda Health System
Cathy Kuzia
Board Member, 2009 – 2011
Swirl
Christopher Cruz
Team Member, 2021 – 2023
Program Ambassador
(Illustrator)
Daniel Novick, AIA
Founding Board Member, 2009 – 2011
Mackenzie
David Landa
Board Member, 2023 – Present
Free Association
Deka Dike
Board Member, 2023 – Present
US Bank
Diego Munoz
Team Member, 2022 – 2023
Program Ambassador
(Digital Media Artist)
Divya Mittal
Intern, Q2/Q3 2024
UX Design Ambassador
Dom Taylor
Team Member, 2021 – 2024
Program Ambassador
(Visual Designer)
Doris Newsome
Legacy Board Member, 2009 – 2011
Kaiser Permanente
Effery Sims
Team Member, Q2/Q3 2023
Program Ambassador
(Illustrator)
Elisa Feng
Staff Member, 2022 – Present
Program Manager
Erica Hong
Board Member, 2014 – 2018
Twitter, Netflix
Gert Lombard
Board Member, 2015 – 2019
Twitter, Google
Hilda E. Mendoza
Staff Member, 2013 – 2015
Program Associate
(Business Development)
James Fong
Emeritus Board Member, 2009 – 2015
Bank of America
Jemena Tabayoyong
Intern, 2022 – 2023
Integration Strategist
Jess Allen-Goix
Team Member, 2023 – Present Program Ambassador
(Design Coordinator)
Kate McKenzie
Board Member, 2015 – 2019
The Climate Change Litigation Initative
Kevin Louie
Emeritus Board Member, 2013 – 2023
Twillo / Twillo.org
Kyle Rush
Board Member, 2022 – Present
Stanford Health Center
Laurie Satizabal
Team Member, 2022 – 2023
Program Ambassador
(Visual Designer)
Linda Poeng
Emeritus Board Founder, 2009 – 2023
The Clorox Company, VF Corporation
Lisa Sy
Board Member, 2017 – 2019
Facebook / Meta
Lisa Towles
Emeritus Board Member, 2019 – 2024
IBM, Western Digital
Mai Sese
Founding Board Member, 2009 – 2011
Emergency Shelter Program
Marcus Creel
Staff Member, 2013 – 2015
Visual Designer
Martin Kojnok
Board Treasurer, 2010 – Present
Corcoran Icon Properties
Marybeth Soriano
Team Member, 2022 – 2023
Program Ambassador
(Content Designer)
Masai Davis
Founding Board Member, 2009 – 2011
Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
Michael Shih
Emeritus Board Member, 2017 – 2023
US Bank
Min Wang
Board Member, 2010 – 2012
Yanfeng Visteon
Morganne Whaley
Intern, 2013 – 2015
Program Associate
Mubarak Haruna
Team Member, 2022 – Present
Program Ambassador
(Product Management)
Norman Weekes
Board Member, 2009 – 2011 JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Olivia Trujilo
Team Member, 2022-2023 Program Ambassador
(UX & Visual Designer)
R. Shay Miles
Board Member, 2012 – 2016
The North Face, a VF Company
Rita Forte
Board Member, 2012 – 2016
The Olive Street Agency
Sarah Yorn
Team Member, 2024 – Present Program Ambassador
(Design Coordinator)
Steve Jing
Intern, Q1/Q2/Q3 2024
Content Designer
Sydney T. Nguyen
Board VP, 2023 – Present
Design Strategist & Researcher
Tarrea Tolbert
Board Secretary, 2023 – Present
Smartsheet
Tim Rosenblatt
Board Member, 2013 – 2019
BlackRock
TiYanna Long
Emeritus Board Member, 2013 – 2021
Bank of the West
Tori Spiegel
Team Member, 2022 – 2023
Product Design Ambassador
Trung Huynh
Emeritus Team Member, 2016 – 2022
Full Stack Engineer
Valerie Wiggins
Board Member, 2012 – 2014
San Francisco Housing Development Corporation
Yudy Herrera-Orellana
Emeritus Team Member, 2016 – 2022
Program Manager
Polo Tai
Team Mascot, 2022 – Present
BRIDGEGOOD
Wilson Tai
Creator Producer, Metrotuned
Legacy Advisor & Co-Founder, BRIDGEGOOD
As a Culture Creator, Wilson dedicated 12 years as an advisor, student mentor, and recruiter vetting developers to build the BRIDGEGOOD web application. He built brand awareness and engagement through storytelling, strategy, directing, curating, and producing content. Wilson was responsible for coining the growth slogan, “I’m a BRIDGEGOOD Creative.”
Chelsea Seabron
Director, Social and Community Impact (Jordan Brand), Nike
Former President & Advisor, Board of Directors, BRIDGEGOOD, 2015-2019
Formerly a Board Officer (President) at BRIDGEGOOD and Manager at Google.org, Chelsea is a relentless creative problem solver who continues to deliver social impact through intentional experiences. Her career goals are to increase awareness, tech access, and opportunity for the most marginalized populations.
Joseph Gross
President & CEO, Sustainable Systems
Legacy Advisor, BRIDGEGOOD
Joe co-founded Sustainable Systems in 1994, with the goal of putting the craft of business in the service of economic, social, and ecological justice. In 1998, he launched Oakland’s first tech incubator/accelerator and in 2012, Joe helped launch the East Bay Broadband Consortium. In BRIDGEGOOD’s early years, he worked with Executive Director Shaun Tai, providing advice, consultation, and essential resources.
Donald Tamaki
Senior Counsel, Minami Tamaki LLP
Legal Advisor, BRIDGEGOOD
For over 40 years, Donald has specialized in providing value-driven legal counsel to entrepreneurs, privately-held companies, and nonprofit corporations. His special focus is on commercial leasing, personnel and employment law, corporate governance and other internal practices, licensing, and acquisition. For 17 years straight Donald has been selected to Northern California Super Lawyers receiving the highest rating for competency and ethics.
Dr. Andreas Weigend
Director, Social Data Lab
Former Chief Scientist, Amazon
Senior Advisor, BRIDGEGOOD
Andreas is an expert on big data, consumer behavior, and social-mobile technologies. He formerly worked as the Chief Scientist at Amazon, where he helped establish the company’s data strategy and develop a culture of innovation. Andreas received his Ph.D. in physics from Stanford and currently teaches at UC Berkeley and at Fudan in Shanghai.
MC Hammer
American Icon & Entrepreneur
Honorary Advisor, BRIDGEGOOD
Considered a cultural and entertainment pioneer, MC Hammer is the first hip hop artist to achieve diamond status for an album. He is a proud supporter of BRIDGEGOOD since its founding as Oakland Digital Arts and Literacy Center Inc. Recognizing the importance of creativity, Hammer helps connect our nonprofit with like-minded innovators and creative thought leaders both locally and internationally.
