Program Manager of Digital Academy @Adobe
| Social Impact | Diversity & Inclusion | Creativity | Education | Multi-media Art | Indigenous Innovation |
Through her work with the Adobe Digital Academy as well as other local organizations, Natalie’s efforts to make the technology ecosystem more diverse and inclusive are informed from her own experience and understanding of the complexities as a Bay Area born resident breaking into tech. With her experience in education and non-profit curriculum development, she is bringing an innovative approach to creating access and bridging different communities in the innovation space. As a former alum, Natalie is excited to share her insights now in a supporting role as Program Manager for the Adobe Digital Academy.

Natalie Isabel Contreras [Papasquialii Tepehuan, P'urhépecha, Coca] is a leader in the diversity, equity and inclusion space, born in occupied Yelamu Ohlone Territory also known as San Francisco, CA. Natalie has experience as an educator, multidisciplinary creative and program manager and has served different Bay Area organizations & initiatives. As a leader in the Social Impact space, she is passionate about strengthening connections + increasing access to opportunities between innovation, art and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) culture & community. Natalie began by participating in local non-profit organizations geared towards people of color to increase access and representation in the local tech economy such as TechSF, Hack the Hood, Impact Hub & the Kapor Center. After participating in programming, events, attending panel discussions and hackathons she knew that she had a responsibility to voice the need for increased visibility, access and advocacy for people in her community. With both technical and creative skills, she has applied her skills to many areas in web development, product management, education, film making, photography and mural design, and has worked with organizations such as the Golden Gates National Parks Conservancy and the Native American Health Center. Currently Natalie is the program manager for the Adobe Digital Academy which is a an accelerated pathway into tech and design careers. She is proud of her multi-lineage ancestry, and continues to dream up ways to better serve the many cultural communities she is connected to. She is exploring how BIPOC people can lead innovative solutions specific to communities by leveraging the use of technology for empowerment.