Leadership Team
Vertical Hydration is an attempt to innovate a new model for nonprofit technology investment where local staff working at the nonprofit are taught web development skills. Allowing the nonprofit’s staff to grow into the roles of software development. By doing this we hope to create more pathways for people of color and women to join the tech industry.
Leonard Lawson
Co-Founder / CEO
Prior to founding Vertical Hydration Leonard was the CTO of a startup selling digital commission management software to online artists. Prior to that he was the Director of Integrated Data Systems for the Get Ready Guilford Initiative. He has worked in the technology space since helping to develop and maintain the DNC’s voter identification software during the Obama’s administration technology push. Leonard leads the overall project and the web developer track.
Traci Poole
Co-Founder / Head of Product and Outreach
Traci Poole (Black Female) is Vertical Hydration’s head of product and outreach. She will lead the software product management track. Prior to working at Vertical Hydration, she worked for 14 years at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro.