Olivia Herriford’s passion for inclusivity in technology began when she received a computer science degree in 1973.
For nearly 40 years, she’s built a career of servant leadership aimed at creating diverse and truly inclusive work environments across the public and private sectors. She now brings that experience to the ICT-DM sector as the newest Regional Director in the Bay Area.
Herriford most recently managed City College of San Francisco’s cybersecurity registered apprenticeship program, which aims to get more women and underrepresented students into high-demand tech jobs. She also served as Associate Director for the Mid-Pacific ICT Center, an NSF Regional ATE Center, from 2010-2015, and a consultant for the Career Ladders Project, an organization that supported mapping of K-14 ICT-DM pathways.
She has been a college instructor since 2002 and is currently contributing faculty at Walden University, where she mentors doctoral students proposing and completing dissertations. This side of her career includes experience developing curricula and delivering workshops and courses in leadership/organizational behavior, cultural humility, and managing unconscious bias.
Herriford is eager to utilize her personal and professional experience to make California’s tech workforce more diverse.
“My personal experience that began as a URM student in STEM and then a Black woman in tech brings a rare and necessary perspective needed in any role that aims to develop a workforce that reflects California,” Herriford said. “I’m excited about potential opportunities to lead collaborative projects such as K-14 pathways, cross-discipline curriculum, shared regional advisories, and expanding faculty professional development to include andragogy for equity.”
Herriford holds a Bachelor’s degree in computer science from Northrop University and earned an MBA and Doctor of Management from the University of Phoenix.