NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Code Nation (formerly ScriptEd), the non-profit that equips students in under-resourced high schools with the skills, experiences and connections that together create access to careers in technology, today announced that Bay Area Executive Director Rebecca Novak has become its new CEO. Co-founder and outgoing CEO Maurya Couvares, who led Code Nation’s growth and national expansion for the past seven years, will remain on the Board of Directors and assume a supporting role to aid in the leadership transition through the end of the 2018-2019 school year.
As Code Nation’s first-ever employee and later Program Director, and a former classroom teacher, Novak has worked closely with Couvares and has been instrumental in establishing and expanding Code Nation’s footprint in both NYC and the Bay Area. Novak brings to the CEO role deep institutional knowledge and a commitment to developing high-quality programs that will serve the organization in meeting its ambitious growth aspirations.
“Building this organization has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and I am extremely fortunate to have worked with great people to help bring our mission to life and expand our organization,” said Maurya Couvares, co-founder, Board Member and outgoing CEO of Code Nation. “We are overjoyed to have Becca lead our organization and community as our program expands. With her leadership and proven expertise, there is no doubt she will take Code Nation to the next level.”
Novak’s CEO appointment comes on the heels of a December 2018 announcement naming non-profit leader Richard Rivera as Code Nation’s new NYC Executive Director. Together, Novak and Rivera will join forces to hone student programs, boost fundraising efforts and ensure more students in NYC, the Bay Area and soon Chicago have access to coding education, technology career pathway and support once they get there.
“As Code Nation employee number one, I have seen first-hand the power of this program and the impact it has made in bringing much-needed computer science education to students on both coasts,” said Rebecca Novak, CEO of Code Nation. “As we look forward, I am eager to continue building on the success of the program and be able to support our students, volunteers, partner organizations and board members as we continue to grow as a community.”
ABOUT CODE NATION
Code Nation mobilizes the tech community to help more young people gain the skills, experiences and connections that together create access to careers in technology. With a volunteer teaching corps of 300 professional web and software developers and a network of school and company partners, we provide coding courses and work-based learning programs to students who attend under-resourced high schools.
In 2018-2019, Code Nation programs reach about 1,500 students in 46 schools in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area. 74% of Code Nation's reported alumni who completed two or more years of Code Nation programs are currently majoring or employed in a STEM field. 63% are studying or working in Computer Science. Learn more at www.codenation.org.
