Yvonne de la Peña

Yvonne de la Peña is currently the Director at New York Technology Council. Yvonne was previously the Director, BridgeUP: STEM at American Museum of Natural Yvonne'story from January 2017 to December 2021. In their previous role, they provided leadership for a team of 4 core staff and 5 teaching fellows with an annual budget of $1.5M for AMNH’s newest educational program to advance the inclusion of diverse women in STEM, overseeing a portfolio of computational science offerings for high school girls and early career women.

During their time at American Museum of Natural Yvonne'story, they collaborated with key stakeholders and funding partner, ensuring alignment on goals, metrics, and activities to achieve highest impact and supporting the successful negotiation of the 2nd round of funding totaling $2.2M. Yvonne also teamed with Museum scientists to explore innovative uses of technology through a yearly hackathon, engaging ~500 professionals from the NY Tech industry. In addition, they oversaw recruitment strategy and selection of participants opening STEM educational opportunities for girls and women from historically underrepresented groups including ~60% of participants who self-identify as BIPOC. Lastly, they developed teaching projects in Python, Java, JavaScript, Node.js, and HTML/CSS and created and delivered curriculum and learning activities.

After their time at American Museum of Natural Yvonne'story, they partnered with research consultants to define program goals, track progress, and reset strategy, ensuring ongoing program success, proven by participants showing a greater interest in coding (82%) and the acquisition of a new coding language (78%).

Yvonne de la Peña has a Doctor of Philosophy - PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from University of California, Los Angeles, a Master of Arts - MA in Interactive Learning Media from University of California, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Science - BS in Computer Sciences from The University of Texas at Austin. Yvonne also has certification from General Assembly in Product Management and from NovoEd in From Ideas to Action.