Jannie Fernandez, Director K-12 Alliance and TECHNOLOchicas in the National Center for Women & Information Technology.
Jannie Fernandez serves as the Director K-12 Alliance and TECHNOLOchicas in the National Center for Women & Information Technology. Jannie is originally from Barranquilla, Colombia and has spent the last 7 years living in Boulder; 6 of which, have been as a CU Boulder employee. Jannie obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Special Education from Florida International University in Miami, FL and her Master’s of Science in Organizational Leadership from CU Boulder, SKO Buffs! Before moving to Boulder, Jannie taught a variety of Science subjects in a public high school in Miami, FL for ten years.
What is your motto?
There’s no payoff in self-doubt. It’s better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
What has been your favorite work or personal project so far?
TECHNOLOchicas, a national initiative to promote the participation of Latinas in computing fields. It’s personally fulfilling to know that the work that I do on a daily basis has the potential to change the trajectories of thousands of young Latinas (and their families) for the better! The most rewarding part is that it makes my mother proud of me, too.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
That I can burst into song and dance from a random sentence or word people say around me. If the song does not already exist, I make it up.
Your coworkers can always count on you to . . . make them smile and feel heard. I enjoy building meaningful and lasting relationships with the people I surround myself with.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, which coworker would you want to organize your rescue party, and why?
I’d ask John Kelly because he’d be able to mobilize and organize an enthusiastic, dedicated search party – all while wearing fabulous outfits and blaring some funky tunes on his saxophone.
If a genie gave you a wish what would you wish for?
To give me more time with my Abue (grandma). She was my first best friend, a terrible cook and very skilled with her hands. I would spend the extra time to put in writing all the knowledge, stories and advice she shared with me.
